A guide to learning foreign languages

I want to be able to speak English freely with foreigners. I'm sure that many of you who have studied English for a long time have this desire.

 

Or, after seeing the scenery and people of a non-English-speaking country on television or in a movie, many of you may have felt a desire to travel to or live in that country.

 

Speaking a foreign language, traveling abroad, or living in a foreign country. These are experiences that will greatly expand your potential as a person. Well, that sounds a bit obvious, doesn't it? Let me exaggerate a bit. We often say that we "master" a foreign language, but mastering a foreign language is nothing other than cultivating another culture within yourself, that is, a different culture.

 

For example, people who travel or study abroad and return to Japan may experience "culture shock" from their home country. This is because another culture has permeated them and they begin to see Japan from the perspective of that other culture. This is something that only those who have experienced it can understand, but it is quite interesting. Moreover, once you acquire this perspective, it never disappears. In other words, you will live your whole life with "multiple perspectives = compound eyes."

 

"Developing a different culture" sounds like it would be extremely difficult, but it's not. All you have to do is start from "broken Japanese." But don't just mumble your broken Japanese to yourself. Be it a teacher or a classmate, make sure you speak to the listener so they can hear. Then enjoy the excitement of being "understood." The rest is just a matter of building up experience. If you think of the grammar study and vocabulary acquisition that are a must-have in university classes as a process to make it possible to "be understood," you should be able to learn with excitement.

 

With the exception of English, you will be starting from a blank slate when it comes to learning a foreign language. First, take a look at this "Guide to learning foreign languages" and think carefully about which foreign language you would like to focus on studying at Musashi University. The foreign languages you can choose from or must study vary by faculty and department, so be sure to read the explanations in the "Foreign Language Classes at Each Faculty" carefully.

Also, please be aware that Musashi University has a variety of programs and facilities to support your foreign language studies. First, please be aware of the TOEIC®L&R IP test (internal exam) for first and second year students in all faculties. We hope that you will use this as one of your goals in your English studies, and that the results of the test will help you understand how much English ability you have improved.

 

Furthermore, on the third floor of Building 1, there is a space for experiential learning about foreign languages and different cultures called Musashi Communication Village. Here, small-group English conversation lessons that would be difficult to do in regular classes, English and other foreign language activities, and various events are offered, allowing students to actually experience the aforementioned "communication" and thereby deepen their understanding of foreign languages and different cultures.

 

Make full use of this support and try to "master" a foreign language, with the aim of changing yourself in a fun way.