The Reality of Losing English Fluency After Returning to Japan
The Reality of Losing English Fluency After Returning to Japan
- 1 The Reality of Losing English Fluency After Returning to Japan
- 2 Why English Fluency Declines After Moving Back to Japa
- 3 Fewer Opportunities to Speak English
- 4 Does a Short Stay in Japan Affect the English Brain?
- 5 A Friend’s Case: Losing English Skills
- 6 Another Example: Maintaining English After 10 Years
- 7 How to Keep Your English Brain Aliv
Meta Description: Many people struggle to maintain their English fluency after returning to Japan. Discover why the “English brain” fades, and learn effective ways to keep your English skills sharp through reading, listening, and daily habits.
Speak, Read, Listen English everyday!
Why English Fluency Declines After Moving Back to Japa
This article is about the “English brain”—the ability to think in English naturally. To keep it alive, you need an environment where you speak, read, write, and listen to English regularly.
Even if you studied abroad, once you permanently return to Japan, opportunities to use English quickly decrease. As a result, your fluency often starts to fade.
Fewer Opportunities to Speak English
After spending one month in Japan, I returned to New York and caught up with a friend who had studied abroad with me. I asked: “Can you still speak English like before?”
Sadly, the answer was no.
Since she can live comfortably in Japan without English, she had almost stopped speaking it. She also no longer read English books or watched English news—her life was entirely in Japanese.
Does a Short Stay in Japan Affect the English Brain?
For me, a one-month stay in Japan did not affect my English brain. Even though I was surrounded by Japanese 24/7, I noticed something important:
- I kept reading English newspapers and books almost every day.
- I regularly checked the New York Times and The New Yorker (I subscribe, so they arrive by email).
- I watched YouTube content in English, not just for practice but because it provided reliable information.
This daily exposure protected my English brain.
A Friend’s Case: Losing English Skills
In contrast, my friend completely stopped engaging with English:
- No English news
- No English TV shows
- No English books
Without consistent input, it’s nearly impossible to maintain an English brain.
Another Example: Maintaining English After 10 Years
Another friend permanently returned to Japan over 10 years ago—but still speaks excellent English. Why?
- She works in an international field.
- She follows U.S. politics and trends in English.
- She regularly reads English books.
By staying connected to an English-speaking environment, she has kept her fluency and cultural sense sharp.
How to Keep Your English Brain Aliv
To maintain English fluency after returning to Japan, you need to create an English environment for yourself. It’s not just about speaking—it’s about using all five senses in English:
- Read English books, news, or magazines daily.
- Listen to English podcasts, audiobooks, or YouTube.
- Speak English with friends or through online conversation apps.
- Write in English, even short daily notes or journal entries.
By weaving these habits into daily life, you can keep your English brain strong—even without living abroad.
👉 Related Post: How to Train Your Brain to Think in English
