So I just arrived in Osaka three days ago for my Uni semester abroad and I’m looking for advice on my learning strategy going forward.
I now wish I had studied more and harder than I did before I arrived, but I guess that’s in the past now. I currently have a basic level of Japanese grammar, and a somewhat useful, and sporadic vocabulary (Been using Wanikani for a while. Just under 3/4 through the Genki books. Recently started using satorireader and I’ve also listened to beginner podcasts for a while).
Other than a general lack of knowledge, my biggest challenge at the moment is that I’m not used to processing or producing at a useful pace. I’m trying to go out of my comfort zone to communicate as often as possible but it’s very varying how it goes depending on the situation.
I can say that my goal would be to understand, if not fully, then atleast a great deal of general conversations between people. As for my level of production I want to be able to communicate on a simple level, and to be able to express myself to the degree that I could have a somewhat meaningful conversation with somebody (might be a bit vague, but I don’t know how to make it concrete).
So here are my thoughts;
\- I need to keep studying, but I’m not sure if I should keep it like before. I’m definitely not going to use as much time on Wanikani, cause there is so much day-to-day vocabulary I need to learn before I learn a third way to say an already unusual word (I know Wanikani is meant for kanji, but the point stands). I of course need to learn grammar, but Genki isn’t necessarily teaching the most useful grammar points first. Therefore I’m wondering about advice on where it might be best to focus my studying.
\- Secondly, and maybe more importantly, I need practice. I will keep trying to use Japanese out and about, but honestly I would say it’s quite overwhelming at the moment and pretty discouraging at times (event though I’ve “succesfully” communicated something). In the long run, it might not amount to significant amounts of practice, and the added pressure of social situations makes it even harder for me to think. I’m going to attend a Japanese language course at my university (3 classes per week. 1 “comprehensive”, 1 “reading&writing”, and 1 “speaking&listening”). I’m wondering if 1 class a week with speaking and listening might not be enough. Would it be an idea to take private lessons with a teacher? Or is there some other strategy that I don’t know about?
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by HereistheWeatherman