As of this semester, I am studying at the highest level of Japanese that my campus offers. Even last semester, a level lower, when people would find out that distinction they would invariably say, "Wow!" or shock in some way. Most of them would then shift the focus onto their own ability and how bad they feel that it's so incomparably lower. Somehow, when people start to perceive a significant difference between their own ability and another's, the person classified at a lower level seems to suddenly think that there's no way the two of them have anything in common. I'm blowing the situation out of proportion, but it really feels almost like people are starstruck sometimes.
When I went to a Japanese immersion program in 2014, I was at level 2 out of 6, I think, and I definitely remember meeting the level 6 students (of whom there were only about 6--there were closer to 25 or 30 in mine) and reacting the same way. Wow! I'd think. Having a person at such a level beyond my own was like looking up at a mountain I didn't know how they'd climbed. And yet, one of my closest friends from that summer, with whom I'm still in touch, was one of the people in that level. We were still able to communicate in our target language, even though I hadn't yet learned a lot of very basic grammar, vocabulary, etc. and she had lived in Japan for multiple years.
Now that I'm on the other end, I have to say that, yes, it's nice to have my accomplishment recognized. Until a few days ago when a new friend called me out on it, I was quite sheepish about even saying it. My language ability is something I've put a lot of time into, and I'm proud of it. Yet it also makes me feel like I become unrelatable. This made me wonder about pros all over the world and how they must react to such praise. Famous tennis players, contest and prize winners, accomplished chefs, famous actors... If we took the time to get to know people, I think we'd find that everyone has someone they're surprisingly or even shockingly good and/or accomplished at. At the end of the day, we're all just people. We all have things we're better at and worse at than others. Andy Roddick may be excellent at tennis, but perhaps he can't do a handstand, or maybe he sucks at making omelets.
Another pattern I've noticed is that people think that, because I'm at a high level, my class must be easy. This is really something that I've heard multiple times. I'm sure if these people asking really took a second to think about what they're asking, they'd see that it makes no sense. The classes don't get any easier and they don't get any harder. There is always stuff to learn. Even people with an N1 on the JLPT likely could not discuss a lot of topics native speakers can like basic biology, theatre, outer space, health issues, etc. I also get questions about the format of my class--it's the same as the other ones. It's not like you suddenly enter into a secret society with rogue methods of teaching us the Divine Secrets of the Orient. And I'm sure people also think I don't make mistakes anymore. What's funny is that, at a different campus of my school, I hear there are even higher levels. So I and my classmates aren't even the most accomplished Japanese students at our school!
In line with my "The Danger of Comparing Yourself to Others" post, I also pointed out that we all have different strengths within our target language. Because I'm at the highest level offered here, people assume that I and my classmates are the best at Japanese. But I've heard some students even a couple levels lower than me who are shockingly great speakers, much better than me. I'm sure there are students below my level who are much better readers or their casual speech is better, or they speak with better grammar than me. I imagine some of these students could probably get into my level if they had the confidence, drive, or the desire to study up and ask. In the end, the levels are arbitrary--even within the same level, we all move at our own pace.
When you meet someone who's at a more advanced level than you in your target language (or any skill you're learning), rather than feeling intimidated, look to them for inspiration. You can even ask them a tip or two, and they might even be willing to be a resource to you during your study. With dedication and keeping at it, you will get there. Good luck!
When you meet someone who's at a more advanced level than you in your target language (or any skill you're learning), rather than feeling intimidated, look to them for inspiration. You can even ask them a tip or two, and they might even be willing to be a resource to you during your study. With dedication and keeping at it, you will get there. Good luck!
