I have wanted to learn Japanese for a very long time. I “started” in high school when I bought a learning book and did 2 lessons before I got bored. Now I’m in my 30’s and realize I still really want to learn but my laziness really knows no bounds. I’ve tried an app lingo deer off and on and I can safely say I am very comfortable with hirigana because of it but I keep getting overwealmed, quitting and then trying a few months later only to have to start over for obvious reasons.
I keep telling myself I’m getting old and if I don’t pull it together and actually commit to it it will be too late so I have come to all of you to try to find out what the most efficient way would be to finally get serious about it. I work a rotating schedule so taking actual classes probably wouldn’t work for me and I read that you shouldn’t just use apps because they are meant to just be an introduction or an aid.
I’m not afraid to spend money on a service that actually works but I just don’t really know where to start or what services are good enough to consider. Any advice Is appreciated please and thank you.
5 comments
Why do you want to learn Japanese? “Become
fluent” is what many people say, but why? Live in Japan? Work there? Anime without subtitles? Read manga and books in Japanese?
The goal and thus the _why_ is the most important piece. If you get in a cab and can’t tell the driver where you want to go, how will they know where to drive you to?
Laziness only occurrs if we have no inner drive to do something, no interest in the task, if what we do is not enjoyable for us. Are you too lazy to pursue your favorite hobby? Most of the time, most likely not.
Japanese is a long marathon of learning. Learning and maintaining is a habit you’ll want to nurture daily/as often as possible. Check the sidebar of this sub, there’s resources and advice on where to start best.
I’d recommend getting Genki 1+2 to learn the basics; if classes are no option then it’s best to follow a routine as if you’re taking classes to try and ease into more self-discipline. Find graded readers and immersion materials suitable to your level that you find enjoyable. You can check iTalki for tutors/speaking partners whose timetables fit your work schedule.
In the end, you can’t learn a language without actually exposing yourself to it.
Start with a vocabulary Anki deck, but take it easy on how many new cards you do a day. It will not only teach you foundational vocab you’ll need to learn by immersion later but I think more importantly it will build the habit of learning every day even if just a little, as you really can’t take many days off from it for it to work.
For resources there’s a bunch of ways to go about it, the pinned threads will give you many different ways. I’d personally recommend staying away from Duolingo and trying something like genki
Try Japanese from zero, it’s abit slower then your usual Genki book which can get people overwhelmed, TheMoeWay is also a good one, using both together is what I’m doing.
This is a bit pessimistic but it really helped me with my laziness and procrastination, which sadly, are two demons ever rearing their horns whenever they can.
After 30, it’s my opinion that this is the top of the hill. Time moves so incredibly ****king fast that it’s impossible to keep track of. Also, in my experience, it’s where the body starts to degrade and health issues may arise. They have for me, and it’s made me extremely aware of mortality. I’m not saying if you’re in your 30s you’re old, but you are at the top of the hill and time is ticking…so, you really need to ask deep within yourself, what are your goals? And can I afford to keep wasting my time?
If Japanese is the goal, then you have to keep reminding yourself of the above while sticking to whatever textbook you are studying and the road ahead.
For myself, I am going through Genki with a tutor and I’m watching Cure Dolly for grammar and using Anki for vocab and RTK kanji. I am making sure I am doing this every day as best I can, even if it is a little.
What I am trying not to do is give up and start from scratch again and using the Genki books as almost bookmarks. Once those books are complete I can see where I am.
Good luck and don’t give up or give in to the lazy gremlins. Comfort is the enemy!
I’m also in my 30s and started and stopped a few time when younger. I’m having more success sticking with it now and feel like there’s a good chance I’ll stick with it.
There’s a couple things I think to sort out before picking an app first:
1. Why do you want to do this?
2. Is that a good enough reason to do it instead of other things you could be doing with that time?
3. What helps you stick to other things in your life, whether it be exercise, hobbies, etc… that you’ve been able to stick with despite sometimes being a challenge?
You can join any class or buy an app or book or subscription, but the stick-to-itiveness needs to come from you. Do you really want it enough, or have enough fun learning, to spend several years practicing? You don’t need to sacrifice your life to it, but it should at least rank as high as one of your favorite hobbies.
If you just want someone to tell you what to do then and lay it all out, then do this (which is basically what I’m doing, minus the paid subscription).
1. Buy Genki textbook and workbook
2. Sign up at tokiniandy.com
3. Follow his courses and do extra exercises on sethclydesdale.github.io/genki-study-resources/lessons-3rd/#lesson-1 and https://steven-kraft.com/projects/japanese/genki/
4. Sign up at JPDB, add the Genki decks, add a top 2000 frequency deck and use that for vocabulary and kanji.
That should keep you busy for a while, give you guidance, and teach you grammar, vocabulary, and kanji in an ordered and useful way without overwhelming you with a plethora of materials. Once you’re settled into that routine you’ll know what works for you, what you want, and what you feel like is missing (maybe you want to speak more, etc…) and should be better equipped to go out and evaluate those materials for yourself.