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Overcoming Fear of Speaking Japanese: A Guide to Building Real Confidence in 2026

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Last October, Sarah stood in a busy Tokyo ramen shop, her heart racing as she tried to remember the perfect way to order without eggs. Despite months…

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Rorza! !

I have been extremely impressed with my experience at Nunawading Japanese School. The school provides a warm, welcoming and fun learning environment, with well-structured classes and a curriculum that is both practical and engaging. What has particularly impressed me is how quickly the knowledge from even the entry-level classes can be applied in a professional setting. In my role, I regularly work with Japanese customers and business partners, and having a basic understanding of the Japanese language, communication style and cultural etiquette has already helped me build stronger relationships and demonstrate a greater level of respect and understanding. These seemingly small efforts can make a significant difference when doing business in Japan. The structured approach to learning has also given me considerably more confidence when travelling to Japan. I am now much more comfortable navigating everyday situations, understanding basic conversations and recognising common words and phrases, rather than feeling lost or confused when surrounded by the language. I have Nunawading Japanese School to thank for this. The teaching is professional, supportive and well-paced, making the learning experience both enjoyable and genuinely useful. I would highly recommend Nunawading Japanese School to anyone looking to learn Japanese, particularly those who want to develop skills that can be applied both personally and professionally. I’m also looking forward to finally watching my Anime without the subtitles 😝

Riverstone

Booking a holiday to Japan ten months in advance had me researching the typical tourist spots, but I found myself becoming more connected to the Japanese way of life - Thoughtfulness towards others before ourselves, awareness of how our actions impact those around us, and a deep sense of respect, kindness and consideration. I wanted to visit Japan and not just “take away” amazing tourist stories, I hoped to become a small part of the locals’ lives and return my appreciation in some way. I decided learning a few words might show that I had made an effort, rather than simply turning up “empty handed”. Some believe you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but I was willing to try learning a second language from scratch and now hold a deep sense of gratitude towards every Teacher and Vaughan, at Nunawading Japanese School. Quite apprehensive and a little socially anxious in new situations, it was daunting turning up on day one by myself. However, everything I had been reading about the Japanese way of life, I found right here in a little classroom!!! There was an immediate sense of belonging, comfort, and reassurance that it was absolutely ok that I knew nothing. Four months before my trip, I was excited every week for class. The worksheets are enjoyable - sometimes silly yet incredibly well thought out, providing every building block needed to see improvement quickly. Combined with a helpful online portal supporting the learning material, something I never saw offered anywhere else when looking at enrolment options. The day of my trip, I was only hoping that a few of my words might be understood yet, I found myself having basic conversations entirely in Japanese, made some locals smile and giggle even made friends I’m still in contact with and I’m now returning 5 months after my first trip to see them again!!! There are two Japanese expressions that have become very special to me and I connect everyone at Nunawading Japanese School with - Staff, Classmates, Cleaners alike ; Go-en (ごえん) - The mysterious ties of fate that bring people and meaningful encounters into our lives. Otsukaresama desu (おつかれさまです) - An acknowledgement of someone’s effort and hard work. For me, it recognises the people who supported me through that hard work, and I share the result with them. If learning Japanese has been a passing thought dismissed by doubt, if someone has already made the decision but wondering where to start, or if you just want to try something new and have fun doing it - my honest and highest reccomendation is to every one of these fantastic people. ほんとうにありがとうございました。

Andrew Ma

I've been studying at Nunawading Japanese School for the past 10 months, this has been one of the best decisions I've made, and I'm honestly kicking myself for not starting earlier. The teachers are all native Japanese speakers who are incredibly patient, supportive, and genuinely committed to helping their students succeed. The classes are super fun and engaging—in fact, the 80-minute lessons often feel like they're over in just 20 minutes. The time flies because there's always a great mix of learning, conversation, and interaction. The lessons are well-structured, and I've been surprised by how much progress I've made in a relatively short period of time. The friendly and encouraging atmosphere makes it easy to participate and build confidence in speaking Japanese. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to improve your existing skills, I highly recommend Nunawading Japanese School.

Kevin Keiser

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I’ve had a fantastic experience learning Japanese at Nunawading Japanese School. The teachers are friendly, patient and genuinely passionate about helping students learn and improve. The lessons are well structured and make Japanese approachable and enjoyable, even when learning more challenging grammar and vocabulary. I particularly like the balance between speaking, listening, reading and practical conversation, and the teachers create a relaxed environment where you feel comfortable having a go and making mistakes. I’ve been able to see real progress in my Japanese and have gained much more confidence using what I’ve learned in conversation. The course materials and exercises are also excellent and give you plenty of opportunities to practise between lessons. I would highly recommend Nunawading Japanese School to anyone wanting to learn Japanese, whether you're a complete beginner or looking to improve your existing skills. ありがとうございます！ 🇯🇵

Frank Noone

Absolutely wonderful place to learn Japanese. The teachers are all patient and helpful and all native Japanese speakers, the classes are fun and welcoming. Couldn’t be happier with my decision to learn Japanese here. My only regret is not starting years ago

Haddie James

Easy to sign up and the classes are excelelnt. the staff and teachers are all very helpful, patient and fun to work with :) Would definitly recommend to any one wanting to learn Japanese!

language anxiety

Building Confidence in Speaking Japanese: A Guide for Adult Learners in 2026

Overcoming Fear of Speaking Japanese: A Guide to Building Real Confidence in 2026