I started learning Japanese around 6 years ago. I had a teacher that I went to every week and but I lost my job and had to stop with the teacher. I didn’t really learn on my own afterwards and I look back now and think that if I kept at it I would have been fluent by now and past the N1. Anyone else thinking of getting back into learning after long while and thinking like this? They say it’s never too late but I’m just upset with myself that I didn’t keep at it. \*sigh\*
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I do think about this a lot. 6 years of effort is enough to get really, really good at a skill… but I don’t think any of my skills have gotten “6 years” good.
You totally can do it by yourself, I learned English and Spanish without spend a cent or any classes at all. Now I am doing the same with Japanese. You got this! がんばって！
1. It’s not a race
2. There are no hard benchmarks for learning a language.
3. Most people who post results do so because they were (especially) successful. It’s not a base line. There is plenty of people who suck even after 6 years. So no worries.
4. Six years of one lesson per week will not net you N1 or fluency. It’s what you do in between that counts. You can also achieve it in less time from now if that’s your goal.
5. Thinking what if is a recipe for eternal regrets
In the end you have no obligation to learn Japanese. You do it for fun. There’s nothing wrong with being ambitious, but why beat yourself up over something you do for enjoyment? So you spent a couple of years doing something else which you hopefully enjoyed. No net loss.