So let me explain. I know a lot of people don’t recommend it but since I don’t have time to seriously study Japanese right now, I’ve been using Duolingo for a month and I can now read Hiragana and almost all Katakana. I don’t watch anime in Japanese so I’m not used to hearing the language.
As written in the post title, I will be studying abroad in Japan for 6 months next year (all the classes I will take will be in English) and I also will take Japanese language classes based on my level when I arrive there.
What I thought of doing was using Duolingo for the time being until summer vacation that starts in July (I’m a college student in Spain and I have 3 months of holidays) and start studying with books and other resources these 3 months because I will have the time to do so. After these 3 months, I don’t know how I should continue learning Japanese (maybe continue using Duolingo or other apps)
My questions are:
1. How would you recommend I study the language with the base I could have then? (In a month I almost finished Unit 8 of Duolingo and all the extra hiragana and katakana practice of the app if that helps you get an idea of what I’ve learned so far and my “speed” of learning)
2. After 1 year of studying this way, slow learning all year and focusing on vacations, and the course I will take in Japan (also considering that not only will I study Japanese but also be surrounded by the language), do you think I could achieve an N3 level after the study abroad?
3. Should I start watching Japanese content such as Anime for kids to get used to hearing the language? At which level should I start watching Japanese content?
4. With this previous year studying, could I have the minimum level enough for surviving my first days in Japan in shops and other establishments where people may not speak English?
5. How much do you think that changes studying Japanese in my country for 6 months and studying the same but in Japan, does your language level increase a lot there?
1 comment
I’m curious why you’re taking almost entirely classes in English while you’re there and not more Japanese language classes? Maybe it’s something for your degree? Good for you on your progress with kana! Keep practicing 🙂
Duolingo is basically a fun puzzle game. It doesn’t teach grammar and it’s insufficient for a language with a complex writing system. Go ahead and do it if you like, it will help make things a little more familiar but it’s not very useful for true learning.
Immersion is absolutely key to fast language progress but it depends on how much you take advantage of opportunities there. Having so many English language classes, you could be at risk of making all your friends as non-native speakers and being in a bubble where you don’t spend enough time in conversation with Japanese people.
Absolutely seek out as many opportunities as possible to spend time with people who natively speak Japanese and give it your all to speak with them, no matter how basic.
Right now, I would recommend you study basic conversation and grammar through YouTube videos. Especially those that are spoken entirely in Japanese with subtitles. It’s so important that you get an ear for the language. Particularly because Japanese has a pitch accent.
It’s not tones like say, Mandarin, but there’s a melodic rise and fall to natural speaking. If you pick this up early you will sound so much better. And it will come more easily if you’re listening to Japanese a lot.
Also focus on your pronunciation. Record yourself and compare how you pronounce things to native speakers. This is way more important than trying to learn kanji right now, which a lot of learners focus on way too much. Work on that foundation. Work on the らりるれろsounds — don’t worry that’s not a word lol, it’s ra ri ru re ro. Work on making your consonants soft and keeping your mouth movements small.
Putting in the focus first on listening and practicing speaking will help prepare you. Do this in combination with studying basic grammar and vocabulary.
Yes you can totally use various apps! But you absolutely should include YouTube videos on Japanese language learning. Because you have had little exposure to the language and need to build that ear for the sounds and flow.
Ganbatte kudasai ne ^^