Muniandi Vijayalakshmi

STUDENT INTERVIEW: Muniandi Vijayalakshmi (SILAC)

The following interview was conducted by Roger Fung.

Roger: First of all, thank you very much for your time. So, how may I call you?

Muniandi: Viji. You can call me Viji.

R: Viji-san, desu ne. Why are you studying Japanese right now?
M: I've been living in Japan for about 2 years, with my husband and my family.. everyone is living in Toyota-shi. I am an engineer and I would like to work in a Japanese company. I want to study good, solid Japanese properly so that's why I came to Yamasa.

R: What were you doing before you came to Yamasa?
M: Before coming to Japan I was a college student in India. Soon after college I got married and came to Japan. For 2 years I was busy raising my kid. That's also why I wasn't able to study Japanese properly.

R: I see, raising a child is a tough job indeed. When did you start this course, and how long are you planning on studying here?
M: I started 2 weeks ago and I only intended to study for 4 weeks, but I am planning to extend my stay for 8 more weeks, which totals up to 3 months. I would like to learn more and more!

R: Hmm I see I see. So you came to Yamasa to study Japanese for work, what are your plans after finish graduating?
M: During my studies here I would like to practice my Japanese with my friends and neighbours, and after I complete the course I have to start looking for good jobs. My wish is to stay here in Japan so it's better to learn the language properly.

R: Yes, this is very important indeed. Especially if you want to work here in Japan. Being in Yamasa for 2 weeks, what are you impressions of the school so far?
M: I find the school a very interesting place because everybody seems to be one all the time; despite being so international, I hardly feel barriers between me and other students or my teachers. I get to speak what I think and also get good guidance from the teachers. So it's like really fun being here. I find it more interesting being here than being at home!

R: You are in SILAC right now.. How do you find the course?
M: It's good, almost perfect. Although it could even be better if there are more chances in class to converse with people. The materials are good but personally I would like to spend more time conversing in Japanese. I am quite confident in conversing with people wherever I go, and I really like to talk with other people too, so despite making the occasional grammar mistake I try to speak as much as I can. Anyway, now I am being able speak what I think whereas in the past it was very difficult to express myself because I didn't have the words to do so.

R: That's good. Rather than worrying about the small grammar mistakes and not speak, it is much better to just speak lots and practice lots.. So, how do you find the teachers here?
M: They are all really good.
R: I see that you have Kitamura-sensei too. She used to teach me when I was a student here.. They are all very good and dedicated here I agree.

R: So being in Japan for 2 years, how is Japan for you?
M: I love the people here! They are all very nice people, smiling all the time. I am yet to find a Japanese person who is difficult to deal with. The people I've met so far are all very friendly and warm so I like Japan very much.

R: Have you lived in any other cities in Japan, apart from Toyota?
M: I've only lived in Toyota but I have travelled to places like Kyoto, and Osaka.

R: I see.. Changing the subject, I presume that you study a lot nowadays, apart from studying what do you do in your spare time?
M: I like shopping a lot. Walk around the streets looking for new shops, and spend my husband's money...

R: Ah yes, of course, you should do more of that! Finally, a message for your fellow students and the teachers?
M: I think the teachers are doing a great job, and the students are all great people. I don't have any negative feelings about this place, all of them are positive. Sensei mo gakusei mo totemo ii desu!

R: That's good to hear. Ok, this concludes our interview today. Thank you very much again for your time.
M: Thank you very much.

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