Is learning Native language always better?

Question

i've heard to different sides one person stayed in japan for a year without knowing the language and other people it is better to learn Japanese before going to japan, which is better and why

Answer 1

Depends on what you will be doing and where you will be staying while you are in Japan. If you are going to be totally immersed - that is, you will stay with a Japanese family, work at  Japanese firm, socialize with Japanese people, it's an awesome way to learn the language. If you know a little bit before you go, that can only be helpful.

If, however, you wait to be proficient before you go, it's going to take a very long time, because spending a few hours a day at language school can never equate to hearing Japanese spoken all around you, when it comes to picking up the accents and intonations.  

Answer 2

In my opinion learning native language is the best. I'm myself whole life lived in Russia, but always knew speaking my native language which is Portuguese. So now I'm here in UK, I could say with proud that I know speaking English, Portuguese and Russian.

Answer 3

it would be nice to know what is being said to you

Answer 4

I think that it is only good manners to learn something of the language so that you can greet people and thank them and ask for simple things in the shops. How can you spend a long time in a country and remain entirely aloof from the people and the culture? What a lot you would be missing! However difficult it is, I think that you should make the effort to learn what you can in order to communicate with those around you and, all being well, make friends.