Why many Japanese people freeze in English conversations #スピーキング #英語独学 #英会話 #山口智子 @MangaEnglish

Added: 2026-06-03

[00:00:00][music] >> Uh no two people think Japanese people are quiet in English because they don't know enough vocabulary, but honestly, I think it's deeper than that.

[00:00:20]In Japan, many people grow up learning how to read the atmosphere first, how to avoid conflict, how to stay in harmony, how not to interrupt the flow.

[00:00:37]So, Japanese conversations, sometimes people agree softly even when they actually have different opinions.

[00:00:47]That's part of the culture, but English conversations often feel different, you know. People ask directly, "What do you think?"

[00:00:59]And suddenly, it's not enough to just understand English.

[00:01:06]Now, you have to express yourself, too.

[00:01:09]That can feel scary.

[00:01:12]I think many Japanese learners panic not because they can't hear English, but because they suddenly feel exposed.

[00:01:23]Honestly, learning English changed my life a little.

[00:01:29]Because for the first time, I felt like it was okay to speak imperfectly, to have my own voice, to say something incomplete, and strangely, manga helped me with that because manga has themes, emotions, characters, situations. So, instead of trying to create perfect English, I started reacting naturally to things like Oh no.

[00:02:06]That's awkward.

[00:02:08]He looks nervous.

[00:02:11]Small things, but those small reactions slowly became real communication.

[00:02:20]For example, native speakers use I guess all the time. It's so flexible, not too strong, and honestly, for many Japanese people, phrases like this can feel surprisingly comfortable.

[00:02:40]Not perfect.

[00:02:43]Not aggressive. Just human.

[00:02:49]>> [music]