So after 5.5 months of studying Japanese I finally have a study plan that seemed to be working and I think I’m learning at a good pace now. I calculated the amount of kanji, words and grammar I should be able to complete in a year and i’ve been roughly achieving my plan. However I noticed I’m recognizing but not remembering most of the words. Once I’ve gone through vocabulary on flashcards multiple times and can see the word on the front, and know what the meaning should be on the back, I still can’t recall most of the words for conversation. But if I hear it said in anime or by my Italki teacher then I’ll know what it means.
Is this normal? and is there something I can do about it? I know the flashcards on kanshudo have an input method where it tells you the English meaning then you type the Japanese equivalent but this is much harder than just recognizing the Japanese word and remembering the meaning.
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A very basic breakdown of language acquisition is:
Receive, receive, receive, receive, PRODUCE!
Recognition is much easier/earlier stage than recalling. People who learn via content often deal with it, because they can recognize thousands of words in specific context, but have no clue without it. For example, I like to read and similarly there are thousands of words the meaning of which I know, but not how it’s pronounced, because I pay much less attention to pronunciation.
It will improve over time and the only way to change it intentionally is to reverse situation. Either you use SRS, which initially aims to perfectly learn a smaller list of words (smaller in the meaning that you learn ~15 words in a day, comparing to recognizing 50-100-200 words in context), or you aim at talking, because output is completely about being able to recall. So you will need to push it from recognition to recalling stage.
But realistically it’s not a problem, but simply such approach. Most likely you learn a lot, like maybe 20-40 words, 10-20 kanji and then you add 10 grammar forms. With such pace you won’t be able to recall everything perfectly.
You can try shadowing, for me this creates a sense of me actually producing the phrase, and not just reading the words. It’s normal to be able to understand first and then slowly try to create phrases, as your brain usually go from your language, translate, create the phrase based on what you can remember, then speak. With much practice speaking your brain gets rid of the translating part and start to form phrases directly in Japanese.
In my experience, since this is my 4th language, apps like [Voiky](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.eup.japanvoice&hl=en&gl=US), helps a LOT.
Right after you learn new vocab & grammar, try using it in your speaking and writing several times.
Also, it helps me to have a sentence attached to each vocab & grammar point for context, as Japanese is so different from western languages.
These things helped me:
– having more conversations in Japanese with a teacher or language partner if you have the opportunity. In each session, try to focus on one grammar point and associated vocab. Then practice it until it’s burned into your mind.
– commenting out loud on what you are doing and things around you (when you are alone). “I’m washing the dishes” “Later I will go out for dinner”. Even if it sounds simple compared to your recognition level, it’s helpful to practice producing sentences on demand. It will also highlight gaps in your grammar knowledge.
– drilling (out loud) lists of things like days of the week, counting variations, colours, seasons, methods of travel, etc.
I’m still quite inexperienced in japanese, but maybe writing short texts using vocabulary you’ve learnt in a week(or any other time period) would help. You also can post them at r/WriteStreakJP to have it checked.