I would be meeting Japanese students in person for the first time later this week. Any words of advice for a pre-intermediate level student of Japanese language for interacting with native speakers?
Interacting in most situations with a native group and a non-native group (which has been studying the language, and perhaps has not had a lot of experience with native speakers), the best thing is to show compassion and understanding for any attempts made to get through a conversation! Perfect language is always nice, but most of us (even in our native languages) often meander, make mistakes, stop halfway through a sentence and change it, etc.
Japanese natives at that age spent many, MANY years learning English (although the teaching system for English is not so great), so they totally understand the fears or apprehension that may have. Just smile and keep trying to talk, and all will be fine!
Oh heres a helpfull rip, don't look directly in they're eyes its kind of like saying 'wanna fight?' Or challenging them, instead look at their chin or neck and bow when meeting somone, thanking someone, and so on, basically bow alot👍🏻
