Is it a good idea to warn Japanese foreign students in usa that you're not white?

Question

I say this because when they come to learn english , thanks to the media they come with the idea that I will probably be white or talk like typical Americans in TV. I'm hispanic and i'm quiet so my laanguage skills are so undeveloped and that is why i'm not like what they would expect. Recently i met a japanese in craigslist and he offered to do language exchange with me but i sent another email where i warned him that i'm not white so i'm not gonna speak like what you think americans speak like..
Is this a good idea to do? Long time ago i keept meeting japanese at university and they all seemed disappointed that i wasn't your typical outgoing american, that's why i feel now that i should warn them.

Answer 1

You could spare yourself time and energy by being up front, but remember its how you feel about yourself.
Perhaps they wanted a typical outgoing person, not that it meant white, or american. I bet its how you feel about yourself, and you have to change that thinking.
Your roots should not affect your english exchange dont feel guilty because you are not white. Besides that the Japanese person could feel the same as you, after all they are not white neither. If you say your english is underdeveloped a person may feel reluctant to learn from you. Your openness and willingness to help someone should not go underappreciated.

Answer 2

I studied at Kyoto for 3 years and speak Japanese, myself.

I'm white, of course. However, knowing the Japanese, they are not racist, if that's what you're worried about.

You might find them wanting to learn Spanish, too, when you tell them that.

They are just voracious learners.

Be prepared for a lot of shy and cautious questions about fashion and gays and things like that, though.

You'll need to really let them know that they can open up with you and that you'll not be offended.

They're very afraid that they might offend someone and try their best to learn not to do that.

Answer 3

Hmmm... good question.

It sounds as if they will be living with your family? If this is the case, dont' say, "Hey, just to let you know, I'm not White" because that makes it seem as if you're lacking something in your life.

Before you get involved with foreign students, it is a good idea to let them know about yourself. You might want to describe yourself as a Hispanic American who loves teaching non-English speaking students about your culture.

But you kinda threw me off when you said "your language skills are so undeveloped"... what does that mean? If you dont' speak English as well as you would like, it won't be fair for you to offer to each English to others...

Answer 4

NO no no no NO!! Not that way..!!!

You should just drop it into one of your early communications, maybe "People say I'm kind of quiet, or maybe it's just that all those white kids are ultra noisy in comparison!" Then they'll assume you're Black, and you can tell them that you're Hispanic. If they don't mention it, in another communication you can say something like "I'm really proud of my Hispanic heritage!" or "I would like to learn more about my Hispanic heritage because I feel bad that I don't know much about it."

Mention it, by all means! But don't make it out to be IMPORTANT ... because it ISN'T!!

Just be honest - never apologetic!

Answer 5

Believe me, your language skills are more developed than my ESL students', so I'm sure that conversation with you could be of benefit with them. If they have a stereotype about Americans that's their problem. So much the better if they learn their stereotype isn't true.

Answer 6

Be more self confidential . People must accept you as you are . don't be afraid like that and i think not all of Japanese have the same ideas.

Answer 7

Dude, you have some issues. You need to get over yourself and just live.