I’ve lived here for a year almost now and really enjoy life so far! I’d definitely enjoy it more if I could navigate day to day life better. (And would also open up way more job opportunities but that’s another post lol)
I’ve self studied to near N3 level but was a few points shy last JLPT and I want to well, understand and speak better. Bringing the gap of medicore at best Japanese to functional seems really insurmountable though.
I use wanikani flashcards for kanji and Bunpro for guided grammar lessons. Listen to music, watch movies etc in Japanese and actively try to use it as much as possible but again the “next step” seems so far away.
I can tell I’m improving, maybe I’m just impatient and frustrated.
What do you guys do for language learning? 前もって感謝します 🙇♂️
8 comments
Bunpro for grammar
IKnow! for vocab (they created the original Core 2/6/10k decks). If not iKnow!, then a similar app.
Wanikani for kanji
So it seems like you’re doing all the right stuff here.
Then, the missing part is likely just an assload of perseverance. Make sure to make it a point to speak Japanese as much and as often as you can. You’ll never get better if you don’t push through the awkward and uncomfortable bits.
>前もって感謝します
Beware of “L1 interference”.
Throwing in a little extra practice with duolingo.com might help.
Read books, learn phrases, remember phrases, repeat.
It’s not glamorous but it works. If you learn 5 words a day that’s nearly 2000 a year, plus all the implicit grammar patterns.
AnkiDroid. Review religiously every single day. Then watch news clips on loop while searching on the fly for the new terms you encounter. Anyway, the fastest way is to befriend Japanese guys/gals who are into foreign/cultural exchanges. Some of them are also looking to hone their English skills, so it’d be a win-win situation if you can befriend some of them.
> Listen to music, watch movies etc in Japanese and actively try to use it as much as possible
What else do you do? Hobby wise or media consumed.
Read plenty of books and download some sample JLPT Test in app store to test your skills.
I find jlpt test by VU HO NGOC in apple appstore as a great tool to test yourself when taking an exam.
For books, I bought nihongo sou matome as my learning material. Shin kanzen books is also great for mastering nihongo. Mind you, shin kanzen is super hard
Socialize. The best way, at your level, to improve is to socialize. Join a hobby club, get out there and make friends. Just get used to speaking, and listening, and being able to correct yourself and learn a more natural style. Though if there is an intense dialect in your area, be aware that it may not help you with the JLPT, but it will help you in everyday life.