【Speaking Practice】Real-Life Speaking Prompts!

Are you feeling stuck in your Japanese learning journey?

You understand grammar. You’ve memorised vocabulary. But speaking still feels… difficult.

You’re not alone!

Many intermediate to advanced learners hit this plateau. The good news? You can break through it — with the right kind of practice.

Today, I’ve prepared 7 real-life speaking prompts that will help you move beyond textbook Japanese and start using natural, everyday expressions like a native speaker.

🎯 Goal

These prompts are designed to help you:

• Practice speaking about real-life situations

• Express opinions and feelings more naturally

• Build confidence and fluency

Choose one prompt a day, record yourself speaking, or discuss with a language partner or tutor.

🗣️ Speaking Prompts of the Week

1. 最近観た映画やドラマについて話してください。それを他の人におすすめしますか？なぜですか？Talk about a movie or drama you’ve recently watched. Would you recommend it? Why or why not?

2. あなたにとって「働きがいのある仕事」とはどんな仕事ですか？理由も教えてください。What kind of job do you find meaningful or fulfilling? Why?

3. 母国と日本の文化の違いについて、印象的だったことを教えてください。Share something that surprised you about the cultural differences between your country and Japan.

4. 最近、何か新しいことに挑戦しましたか？どんなことだったか話してください。Have you tried something new recently? What was it?

5. 友達におすすめしたいレストランやカフェがありますか？どんなところか説明してください。Is there a restaurant or café you’d recommend to a friend? Describe it.

6. あなたが大切にしている価値観や考え方は何ですか？エピソードがあれば教えてください。What values or beliefs are important to you? Share a story if possible.

7. スマホやSNSは生活にどのような影響を与えていると思いますか？How do you think smartphones and social media affect our lives?

💡 Tips for Practice

• Don’t worry about being perfect. Focus on flow over accuracy.

• Record yourself and listen back. You’ll notice patterns to improve.

• Use new vocabulary and grammar points in your responses.

• Try using a timer: Speak for 1–2 minutes per prompt without stopping.

📩 Let’s Talk!

Which prompt did you enjoy the most?

Hit reply and share your response—I’d love to hear from you!

For further practice, I offer a subscription where you can ask me questions directly about grammar, pronunciation, and cultural insights—anytime, anywhere. Check it out for more details!