☆ENGLISH ONLY☆コミュのYour son said 'I wanna go to Canada !' what do you do?

Well しんすーけさん,

I did exactly what the son did (just in my case I went to Japan after graduation in University), it might be a bit risky. But everything is about priorities in life and in this question, if you want a job 100% it's ofcourse better to stay in Japan, but imo life is about experience and you should seize every opportunity you get.
So if he actually has a good plan set up for the Canada trip and knows where to live and where to work, i would support him.

I did kind of like that so I am not going to say much about it to my son.
However, "the son" is over 22 years old I suppose, I would expect be financially and mentally independent to decide things in his life.
Although " the son" is going to "working Holiday", there will be a fee or begining cost to start your new life there in Canada. Also after a year or two when you come back to japan, you may stay your parents home for a while yet I do not want to " the son" to think it would be OK to be an unemployment untill you decide what he wants to do in his life. I would like " the son" to get a part time job or something that supports his financial situation a bit as soon as possible.

Working Holiday is one of living experiences in other countries, but I recommend if there is a possibility " the son" can attend some kind of schools not just ESL more like college level classrooms, that would be better. Also living abroad but srrounding by people whom country is yours not going to improve lauguage skills. Also conversatinal and academic language skills are totally different.
I would think "working holiday" is just for a year off experience duging college years and studying abroad is something you would invest for your furture.

This is totally my personal opinion.

Let him do what he want to give him some chances to collect his own experiences.
Maybe we both are same age and my dream is to work some years in Japan but i also don't really know what i gonna do if i am back in Germany.
so i really understand him.
Life is in this age a big advanture.
My dad don't wanted me to go to Japan. Now we have a big fight because i choosed my freedom and fought with my own father for my dreams.

So you should support your son in every way.

I would say, go ahead.

Sure, he might make some mistakes, but that what the first few years after college are for.

The only key is that he's serious about broadening himself. If he goes abroad and spends two years hanging out with Japanese friends and not learning anything, then obviously that's not doing anybody much good.

For me, it's a bid too late for a person who is over 22 to think about experiencing a life in different culture and learn launguage.Staying abroad without specific plan wouldn't be impressive career.

And it's a bid risky as he wouldn't get other job soon in Japan after his adventure. I am not sure that a situation of Japanese society and economic allow to do it.


But if he really like to do it, then a parents let him do it.
He might have a wonderful time, which is also great, I think.

come to Toronto...cuz I could use someone to teach me Japanese :)

I think he should go on a trip first. It's easy to come to Canada.

But if/when he comes to Canada, tell him that he should not make friends with other Japanese students/working holiday visitors. It sounds bad, but I have many friends who have been here for years and have lower level skills because they speak Japanese (or Korean Or Chinese..) more than English.

My Japanese host sister whom I lived with in Osaka several years ago is doing a working holiday in Vancouver right now. She's 25, absolutely loves it, and is applying for jobs to stay and work in Canada.

I would advise your son to go ahead and get that working holiday visa; you can't get it once you're 30 years old. We're only young once!!

i would give my blessings and say YES! get out while you still can and see the real world! i agree with comment 12 though, he has to make sure he does it properly!

If you live in Vancouver, it is your choice to make friends with Japanese or non-Japanese, right? It isn't the fault of the city.

For me, it is difficult to meet people in this city at all. So I am actually envious of the Japanese visitors who can make friends so easily. Or..anyone who makes friends easily.

I live in Vancouver now, but I lived in Kelowna before. Kelowna is small and very inconvenient, but it is good for international students. Better than Vancouver for students because it is much easier to meet Canadians. But for working holiday, I think Vancouver is bette,r because the transit is much more reliable and convenient, and there are a lot more jobs available.

I think a working holiday would be good experience for a future job, especially one that involves teaching. Not just teaching English, but teaching anything. Travelling to a new country with a different culture can really open your mind. Although some have a bad experience, most people really have a good experience.

thanks everyone! and one more question.

i know that the son need to have a specific perpose of going abroad
such a study in a college for his future.

but i hear that it is very hard and busy.

actually,if he go there and study hard, he can learn real english
and make a career.

but can he feel abroad life and atomsphere of there enough??


or this is too optimistic thinking??

I would disagree with him going overseas only to learn "real English".

Such a waste of money and of time.

I'd tell him to first try studying as hard as you can IN JAPAN. Try sitting for Eiken Pre-1st or 1st. Score at least 800 on the TOEIC.
And use the internet, radio and SkyPerfecTV if you want the taste of "Real English".

Why do you think going to canada on working holiday is the only way to learn real English?


There are a lot more Japanese people who speak English nowadays. I think there will be even more in the future.

So "I speak REAL English" won't always help, if that's the only skill you have.

What do you want to do WITH your English?
That's the question, I think.

>奈っちゃんさん

thanks your opinion.

actually,he need to study english hard in japan at first.

and he wanna learn real communication skill and
exprience abroad life(how to live in abroad).


he thinks that japan is good but small,not international,
have no material.
we can't alive only japanese,so he wants to be an international,
NOT ONLY SPEAKING ENGLISH.
speaking english is "must"


he know its not the only way to do it,such a study in a college.
he also thinks canada on walking holiday is useful,we can stay a year,
safety,near USA


he worry about which is better.

how do you think? if you can, please give me more advise!

しんす〜け-san,

I was like that when I was a uni student. I wanted to go abroad, without any specific goals or anything. I just wanted to learn English and to experience "life abroad".

My parents were absolutely against the idea. They simply said NO to supporting me in any way.

I am now very grateful to my parents.

What is your son's idea of an "international person"?
If he thinks he MUST go outside of Japan to be international, I am afraid he's wrong. You can be international and globalist in Japan if you want to. Absolutely.

I teach English for a living and to be honest, I have seen a LOT of people (both teachers and students) who spent a year or two in Canada/Australia/New Zealand... on working holiday.

I hate to say this, but I have actually seen ONLY A FEW people who came back with good English skills. I should tell you many of them have a problem in finding a job when they get back, because of the gap.

Everyone is different, of course. I am sure there are plenty of people who don't care about "skills".
I am not like them, though. If I go to some other country for a year, I WANT TO COME BACK WITH SOMETHING. Something substantial.
And I have a feeling you are in a way like me.

So, with the risk of repeating myself...What does your son want to do WITH his English???

You say English is a must, but I have to disagree there.
English is just a tool. And it can be an advantage, but certainly NOT a must.
If you are Japanese, Japanese is a must. Because that's where your identity lies.


I'd definitely choose Canada over US, btw.
Good luck!

#24, the reason they don't improve their English is because they only speak Japanese while in Canada..or US, or wherever.

If he really wants to learn English, then he will. Many people come overseas and don't really see it as learning English, more as a vacation from Japan. But because Canada has so many people from many countries, it's easy to stick to certain communities.

I think that the guy who wants to come overseas to study English should study ESL at a college or university and then do a degree program. Maybe business. Business is something transferable. There are a lot of companies in Vancouver (and, I'm sure, in Toronto and other large cities in North America) that have branches in Japan or Korea or China..etc.

But person above is right, he should have a specific goal and not come to Canada to learn English just because it -might- be useful someday. If there is no specific reason to learn English, then what will motivate him to actually meet with fluent English speakers instead of building a community of Japanese friends who study, or work, abroad.

That makes a big difference on how good the person's English level will be. I have Japanese friends who don't speak Japanese at all in Canada, and others who speak Japanese more than English. Living here for the same amount of time, guess who can speak fluently and who can't.

Studying ESL at a college or university (not a private ESL college) means you are surrounded by English speaking students. And it's easy to move right into a degree program after graduating from ESL. In the degree program most classmates are Canadian.

Although I do live in Vancouver now, I also don't really think it is a good idea for someone to come here to learn English, unless they really want to. Otherwise they will just hang out on Robson street meeting with other Japanese, speaking only Japanese.

But I think that Canada would be better than US as well. It's really laid back here and there is much less racism. It's easier to get a job here for international students as well. And a working holiday program is available.

In my opinion,

If he really wants to get English language and comunication skill, going there by student visa, not working holiday visa.

Working holiday visa is really valueable because you can get a year working permit without any conditions. He might think he really wants to get a job in Canada after staying there, and then if he still has the chance to apply for working holiday and geta working permit, it would be much helpful to do it. He'd better keep a good card later.

If he wants to know what living abroad is, being college student and studying hard could be a good way because School is one of the real living. Also what you learn in college might lead to your future job.

Just traveling or being there by working holiday is fun, but it is not real life. He can see good parts and doesn't have to take any responsibility. That's why Japanese companies don't estimate working holiday is a good experience from your resume.

>A.Elizabeth-san,


My point exactly. If he/she really wants to learn English, he/she will. Regardless of where you are.

I have never lived anywhere but in Japan, but I managed to get where I am and I am a teacher now.
And now I am studying Portuguese, but jumping on the plane to Brasil just to learn the language would be the last thing I want to do.

If I am to spend a year in Brazil, I want to learn something else as well as, or even using Portuguese!!

Having seen my students, my fellow teachers and myself, I strongly believe that going overseas just to learn English with no other goals is a waste of time and money.

Well, I'll have no say if you are superrich and have got to spend like, a billion $ within the next year...;p

It`s very difficult to let your son go.... I know exactly how you feel.　I could not agree to something like that unless he had a very good plan and some good contacts in that country. True life is short, but it is also true that you can not replace your son. And if he intends on returning to Japan and working he should be thinking about what he wants to do and work towards that goal. Than you can support his decision.

I think if he can image himself what he will do in Canada or after coming back to Japan, it is good for him to go.

but I also think that he must pay money to go there because he works.

thank u

how about a real visa for a real job in canada? i'm sure someone already suggested that, but a working holiday is more like a holiday. if he wants a holiday abroad, he should just say it, and not make "learning english" an excuse to go. there is no shame in wanting to have fun for a bit. I think it's pretty important to have some time for self discovery before you get tied down with a job and family. I say let him play. just as long as he's supporting himself.

I think it's good to travel...but if he is going to Canada it
would be a waste to just stay in one place the whole time.
Canada is one of the most beautiful countries in the
world and he should try to see as much as he can.

Some people like to be well organized and have very detailed
plans. My personal opinion is the most interesting things
that happen are unplanned so as much as possible I
travel with no plans.

Anyway, I think you should encourage him to go. Maybe
give him some money to buy a keitai when he arrives
and pay the bills for him so he can stay in contact.
Another thing you could do is get a joint credit card so
in an emergency he can get money to fly home.

奈っちゃん,

No. .I think it is easier to learn a language when you are immersed in it. Going to that country where you are forced to speak it or you can do minimal things, eat the few foods that you know...etc. But since Japan is collectivist, many Japanese people are unable to do things on their own, without other Japanese people. Not just Japan though, it is just easier for people to meet those who are from the same place and speak the same language. Although it is really counterproductive.

Going to that country to learn the language is better than learning from videos or books, however, it is that person's choice to immerse themselves in the culture and speak the language. If you read a book or see a tutor for, like, an hour a week. How much are you really going to retain? Going to a country where they speak the language around you 24 hours a day, you will learn far more.

If you can't go overseas, then it is sufficient to learn from books, but learning to speak without an accent, or slang, or natural English, impossible to learn without using it all the time with native speakers. You might have decent English, but it still sounds awkward and foreign.

えりか, to get a -real- job here you need a degree. A useful degree, and generally good English skills.

I also disagree with Ian...しんすーけ should not get a cell phone or give money. Maybe the son should learn to be independent and support himself. If he wants a cell phone, he should work for it. Canada has the internet. He can use email or Skype to keep in contact. You can't come to Canada on a working holiday without a round trip ticket anyways. So he can easily go home with his pre-purchased ticket.

Anyways...it would be nice to know what the son is thinking now, after all of our advice. He should be on Mixi talking to us to practice his English.

A.Elizabeth-san,


I agree with you. It is certainly easier if you immerse urself in the language/culture.
However, I am only trying to say that you can try learning as much as possible before actually going to the country where the language is spoken.
And sure, it depends on what ur goals are, but sounding absolutely natural is not always everything.
I mean, good on ya if u speak English with no accent when it's not ur mother tongue, but does it mean that much if u can't get the message across??


Who am I kidding though, right....you obviously didn't understand what I was trying to say.
I really should do something about my unnatural, foreign English, aye?

If someone is speaking with a native English speaker long enough to have no accent, or very little accent, then they obvious will learn to actually speak so people can understand.

Because, really, you could memorize a DVD's dialogue and make it sound the same, but what would you learn? One story. You memorized a script. You can use those sentences in one situation.

Learning to speak naturally and fluently go hand in hand. You won't learn that on your own. The ways you mentioned are good for when you can't go overseas, but I do think that if someone really wants to learn English they should speak with native speakers more than a few hours a week.

Reading is a very good way for learning grammar and sentence structure. It also helps people learn proper spelling. Most people I know (Canadian, many are university students, or have a degree), obviously, speak fluently and naturally, but they can't spell simple words or even write papers on their own. In university everyone relies on Word to edit for them.

But for useful English in Japan, it's mostly speaking, right? How you write English doesn't really matter when you have to communicate face to face.

But...It depends on the use. For me...I can speak bad English on the internet, or with my friends, because it doesn't matter. Many people use poor English online. But in school I have to put thought into how well it flows. Or if I used too many commas again. Run-on sentences. Repetition...etc.

I want to give good advice for someone who wants to study overseas. I think that if he wants to go, then there are many reasons why he should go. Telling someone not to do something, because you think reading a book is the same as being immersed in a language (maybe because you are unable?), isn't really fair. The level is completely different.



I understand what you're trying to say. Sure, he can learn some English in Japan. It's cheaper, probably.

But studying abroad can teach him natural English, and also how to be more open minded, tolerable, and hopefully independent (because it really doesn't seem like he is, right?). If he lives at home with his family in Japan, always being supported and cleaned up after, he will never learn to live on his own. If he has to work in order to survive, and has to cook and clean for himself, he will learn independence.

Many people will live with a host family for their first month or two. But most move out on their own afterwards, with friends. It's too expensive to live alone here. Otherwise they are just being taken care of by another family and not learning life skills. Usually people just want more freedom.

In the end, it is up to the son, right? Why does he want to go overseas? Why does he want to learn English? This topic is redundant without knowing his feelings. We can only repeat the same things so many times.

Oh no, did I ever write stuff like "DON'T DO THAT!"??

...I just went back and read my posts, but I have only been saying that going to an English speaking country ONLY TO learn English is a waste. Because there are so many other things you can do, as well as learning the language.


And I did not mean learning English in Japan is reading books and memorising a whole movie. (Never done that, btw.)
I went and found ways to actually communicate with native speakers and learnt a lot from them.
And I also read, listened to the radio and used just about anything to learn.

If I could do it, the son can.
That's all I am saying.
And if he feels like going to Canada after learning enough to get by, by all means he should!!
Because I am pretty sure by that time, he will have some other goals that he wants to achieve.


Good luck (Again)

I guess I would allow him.
I would respect his thought.

But Im not sure if he could have a job or not after he came back.
I think Japan became a global country.
So, I think he got a job.

All my worry is his health during he is in Canada.

I have two sons. Elder son, who is 27years old, went to Canada as working holiday.I agreed with his idea and courage.
It makes a long story about it. Just listen
He worked for three years after graduation of unive. He's decided to go to some foreign countries three years later. He needed 1000000 yen to go
to foreign countries. So he saved it.He's wanted to go to USA New York because one of his friends lives there.but It's quite severe to go there after big tero so few foreigners are accepted to enter. He wanted to learn computer at school. but it was very expensive, so he gave up it.
So he changed his mind to go to Canada, He prepared everything alone I never give him a hand He never gives me any trouble I was very proud of my son at that time. He left alone with one bag for Toronto No one knows there. He found a good job there . He found a furniture shop. He is not good at English though. There are not any Japanese there. He studied English hard anyway. Last year he invited us me and wife to Toronto, so we went there it was amazing to see Niagara falls, Otawa, Locky mountain and so on he showed us around by car I think he has a wide and interenational feeling through living a forein countries, morover he made a lot friend not only Canadiand but other foreign people He returned to Ja again and is working at some company using English.
So I will tell you しんすけさん no need worrying about your child
He(she ) goes well He(she) returns to Ja with a lot of varuable teasures
かわいいこには旅をさせろ　there ia a good Japanese saying never mind

I quit working and went to Canada to study Emglish for almost a coulple of years when I was 26. Seems like totally the same person that you have mentioned.

I will say, Yeah, go for it if you want to go!! But, instead of that, you gotta study as much as you could. Noone is not worried about if you do not study hard. If you become a lazy ass, your future will be ruined.Thats up to you !! For me, study overseas and spent limited time with different nationalities are absolutely worth it !!This will be my message.

How old is your son? 12?

I would tell him to do whatever he wants and don't do drugs...i mean, he is an adult right?

thank you very much everyone.

i knew that he need more specific goals to go abroad,like
studying in a college.
not to learn english,but to learn something with english and their life.

and he need to study english more in japan now..


if you have more advice for him, please continue. thanks!!