Hi all, I hope this post does not violate any rules.
I am currently trying to figure out how to get back into studying Japanese but have a hard time to find the right resources/methods/courses.
Format sneakily stolen without permission from u/Mikeye92. Thanks!
Goal: Get back into studying Japanese in order to clear first the N2 and then the N1. (My motivation behind that is to improve my listening and especially my reading skills and to prepare to move to Japan if the opportunity is there.)
Question: Do you have any recommendations for an intermediate/ slightly advanced learner to get back into self-study and/or course recommendations (in Munich, Germany, Japan or Online) to advance my Japanese? (Cost is not an issue)
Context: I graduated from University in 2016 with a degree in Japanese studies but always skimped on the Japanese parts, especially Kanji. (Did a six month Internship in Japan though.) However, I never took any JLPT.
Since then, I have worked consistently for Japanese Corporations and I now have a Managing Director role, running the EMEA sales office of a Japanese corporation.
I’d say 40-60% of my work (speaking/writing/listening/reading) is in Japanese. (The rest is in German and English) Since graduating, this has been my only source of Japanese exposure outside of frequent (business) travel to Japan.
I frequently find myself struggling to follow meetings where the Japanese colleagues communicate among themselves about topics unfamiliar to me. I also get much more exhausted writing and reading materials in Japanese and I want to improve on that. Also I am pretty frustrated with the fact that I can’t easily read and understand everyday Japanese materials such as Books, Newspapers and Japanese TV News. (I pick up the major themes, but struggle with a lot of the details)
Currently, I am thinking about self-studying vocabulary and Kanji with Anki sets and maybe getting the Shin Kanzen Master books. But I would also be open to taking Japanese courses and am okay to also throw (a lot) of money at the problem if needed.
On top of that, my wife and I are heavily interested in moving to Japan if a good opportunity were to present itself. (For example if her Corporation were to offer her a position in Japan.) In this context, I believe a JLPT N1 (or at least N2) and proper Japanese proficiency would be necessary in order to find at least a reasonably well-paid job there.
Thank you all in advance!
by lrrp_moar