Discuss: Turning Japanese

Japan can seem like an alien land to western travellers, with customs that are far removed from European customs, unrecognisable food and an even more unrecognisable writing script. In most western countries, travellers can usually recognise at least a few simple words outside shops, on menus, or on food packaging. In Japan, and other eastern hemisphere countries such as China, that is not always the case.

Paula is a qualified EFL teacher who has taught in the UK and abroad. She has also taught adult literacy and numeracy in prisons and is now combining a small amount of private teaching with writing.