Tag: Philippines

Need Japanese Books? Here are the Best Ways to Buy Them in the Philippines

In 2007, the Japan Foundation Manila (JFM) opened its library to the public. It contained a wealth of Japanese resources and materials such as books, manga, magazines, and newspapers. For the avid Japanese language learner, the JFM library is a paradise.

Unfortunately, the library discontinued its operations in May 2019, and the space where it was located has been renovated and repurposed. As someone who often visited the library, I was devastated by this news.

Since Japanese books are quite rare in the Philippines, where and how can you get them now?

Fortunately, more options have become available over the past few years. In this article, I have listed some of the best places where you can buy genuine Japanese books.

Continue reading “Need Japanese Books? Here are the Best Ways to Buy Them in the Philippines”

Why The Kake Speech Contest 2018 Convinced Me to Study Japanese Seriously

Last February 19, 2022, I had the pleasure of watching the 49th Nihongo Speech Contest organized by the Japan Foundation Manila (JFM).

I watched the contest to get listening practice, and I was delighted to hear the interesting speeches of each of the contestants who impressed the audience and judges with their Japanese skills.

Watching them, I was once again reminded of my experience in joining a Japanese speech contest in 2018. This was a life-changing event for me, as it convinced me to study Japanese beyond the basic level.

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What Does It Feel Like to Study at NCF? Part 1: Basic Japanese

In my previous article, I listed some of the best Japanese language schools in the Philippines. Among them is Nihongo Center Foundation (NCF).

I have been studying at NCF ever since I started learning Japanese in February 2018. My growth and interest in the Japanese language have been largely shaped by NCF.

If you are interested in starting your journey in Japanese at NCF, I hope this personal blog post will give you insights into the actual learning experience at a well-respected and top-notch Japanese language institute.

Continue reading “What Does It Feel Like to Study at NCF? Part 1: Basic Japanese”