Hello everyone. I would just like to ask if maybe you can share your studying tips, learning tools and some advice on how to maintain your focus and balance with your time between working part-time and studying.
It’s almost 5 months now since I came here in Japan to study. I am quite disappointed with myself now and losing some motivation because I am still not confident enough to communicate and read basic kanji. Until
now, I am always confused in constructing basic Japanese sentences particularly with what Japanese particles to use. I felt so bad (most of the time) because it seems like I am not doing very well in school…and that i am not improving at all. 🙁
Please help me with my questions:
1. Aside from the Japanese Language School textbooks, what are the other helpful books/e-books/videos/website/youtube channel, etc. do you use as your learning tools in learning Japanese?
2. How much time do you engage yourself everyday in studying Japanese?
3. How do you balance your time between studying and working part-time?
4. I am a person who got easily distracted whenever I am studying and I am having a really hard time to focus. What helpful tips can you suggest?
Thank you so much 🥹🥹🥹
15 comments
1) regular books. They’re better than textbooks. Use a dictionary.
2) define study? Using Japanese is studying. I dedicate at least an hour a day to reading but I also enjoy tv and games and whatnot.
3) I read during lunch.
4) go for 30 minutes, take a 5 minute break, then do 30 more minutes followed by another 5 minute break. Repeat until you hit your target.
You’re in Japan but you mention nothing besides books and studying. You can do that anywhere in the world, so why are you here? Go out and meet people, join clubs, go to bars, use social networking, start actually interacting and talking with people here and your Japanese will skyrocket. I spent 4 years studying Japanese in my late teens and early 20’s, and everything I knew was eclipsed within 3 months of moving here because of actually going out and speaking Japanese with people. I made tonnes of mistakes but I never stopped talking and messaging, networking, replying using new kanji and vocab every time I learned it and eventually after a while I reached N2 and passed on my first try. That’s my advice to you!
Be sure and get the *sounds* right even if you’re unsure of the words. I know a guy who has been here at least 20 years and he still sounds like a cruise boat tourist, even though he can string whole sentences together.
With him it’s all “arry gateau”, “koooh nitchy waaaaahhhhh” and “say oooohhhh naaaaaraaah”.
Pronouncing the words like a native is half the battle.
Don’t fret over particules and stuff, you’ll get use to them over time. The most important thing practicing, both input and output. It’s not easy to speak a foreign language but it’s impossible to get better without using said language, so I advise you going to meet up event or using language exchange apps like Tandem.
Also for vocabulary and kanji, two words : spaced repetition. Get Anki on your phone, download some Japanese card decks and practice a bit every day. For kanji I recommend Wanikani, the $10/month subscription is worth it.
The first couple months in Japan can be hard so hang in there, it gets better (for most people). Making Japanese friends can take some time but once you make some, you’ll have more fun and learn a lot.
The set intersection between weebs and software engineers is such that Japanese probably has the best learning tools and the most resources for learners, mostly available for free.
First off, are you using Anki? Anki is OP if used correctly.
Get two anki decks, one for words and one for grammar/sentences. Then stick to the schedule like your life depended on it.
If you do anki and regularly use Japanese with friends or in daily life you will see improvement. It is foolproof. The only way this does not work is if you fail to follow the schedule.
You might also want to get a deck for kanji but I’d recommend to start easy to get into the routine.
Also don’t worry about making mistakes with particles and stuff, we all make mistakes and it’s part of the learning process.
I love the app Kanji Study because I can copy the article I’m reading and make a custom set of kanji to review or learn. This is great for Q4 because if you keep each set around 25 kanji, you only work at one study activity (four kinds of quizzes and writing test) for a few minutes.
As for websites, I use whatever interests me at the time. NHK has short articles about factual stuff, and several newspapers are online for free. I wind up mostly studying about gardening, war and health issues.
I spend at least 10 minutes a day with Kanji Study. I should read or reread an additional 10 or 15 minutes a day. Oh, and I often watch the news during supper with my family, and I’ll ask about kanji or phrases I don’t know (or Google them). If regular news is too difficult, I highly recommend the news for the deaf program. The subtitles often come with furigana!
I have only studied minimally (like, sat down and studied from a textbook), I learned mostly just through immersion hanging out with people who couldn’t speak English. You really need to make an effort to immerse yourself. What’s the difference between studying in your home country and coming all the way here if you don’t?
The first 6 months, I had 3 hours class in the morning (small group of 3 to 6 students) then I stayed another 3 to 4 hours studying in the school alone or with other students.
When I mean studying, it is studying. Textbook, note book on the table and no distraction.
No larping with apps if you see what I mean.
Being disciplined and sticking to it really helped me to build a strong core knowledge, then it clicked and I felt comfortable for speaking even though it was very basic stuff.
Not a current student but I came to Japan as a language student, was able to finish my degree and get a job.
1. Look into language exchange applications like HelloTalk. Finding language exchange partners that won’t mind when you stumble over Japanese is a big help, Although judging by your username, you’re a girl so I’m not sure how awkward using language exchange applications would be. I’d probably recommend not taking male partners.
Personally I went the route of dating a few local girls and it helped a whole lot, although there was a lot of friction at the start due to language and cultural barriers.
2. When I was studying it was class plus homework, the rest of that I went out with my roommates/friends, immersing myself in Tokyo. Going shopping, exploring local events, trying to figure out local restaurants. You have to mix it up, just sticking your nose into a book to study won’t be enough, you have to get out and come to terms with the fact that you’ll say/do some embarrassing things. It’s part of learning.
3. I was on a stipend and I worked 20 hours a week, 4x 5 hour shifts at a high-end restaurant in Ginza that gets foreign clientele. I’m not technically a native English speaker, so applying for tutoring jobs was difficult, but that job helped me improve as well.
4. I said this at 2., but you have to switch it up. Immersion is the fastest way to learn. For example, switching the language setting on your personal electronics to Japanese or watching some Japanese television with JP subtitles and looking up a word you don’t know when you see it. Or talking to actual Japanese people on applications.
Learning a new language, especially navigating the nuances of Japanese, takes time and patience. Embrace the journey, knowing that each stumble over words or confusion with particles is a step forward. Stay persistent in your efforts, explore various avenues for practice, and remember, the moments of embarrassment or struggle are simply markers of progress on this rewarding path of language mastery. Do not be discouraged, we’ve all been hazed! 🙂
Have fun with learning Japanese it’s hard but if u have fun it doesn’t feel hard
The primary goal that I set for myself prior to starting was; Make friends with as few English speakers as possible. It’s amazing how that makes you learn.
Language schools are a pretty specific style of learning that I’ve never experienced, so I don’t have any direct advice. Keep in mind though that language schools are often memorization heavy, so if that’s something you struggle with remember that your low scores aren’t a reflection on you or your intelligence. Memorizing does not equal knowing.
Since you have to survive a memorization based school system though, look into mnemonics. It really helped and and I’m shit at memorizing. Also try to find a way to practice what you’re learning. I’ve found that understanding how something works and practicing using it works better for me than rote memorization
As far as concentration goes, look into pomodoro timers! Also see if your devices have a “focus mode” that can help limit distractions
Points from someone who took the very long way to get to half-competency:
-Get on some kind of structured kanji learning system like RTK or WaniKani right away and see it through. You’re early in the process, so you have time. DO NOT put it off or think you will pick up kanji on the fly or through your textbooks.
-Anki every word you don’t know.
-Cut out English as much as possible. Watch Japanese TV/series, even if you can’t understand it yet. Listening is really hard for a lot of people, so emphasize it from the beginning.
-Get out and talk to people. It will be awkward and you will not understand most of what is said to you, but it’s fine. Do it anyway.
-If you’re not understanding your class material, get an iTalki tutor.
I came to Japan with N5 many many years back. As many others have mentioned: You’re in Japan, why is your nose inside text books outside of school?
You’re in Japan to learn Japanese, so I’m sure you have some interest in *something* Japanese. If you’re into anime/manga: Read stuff with furigana. Attend events. Make friends. If you’re into music: Read music magazines or watch interviews. Go to concerts/events. Make friends. If you’re into fashion: Read fashion magazines. Go to events. Make friends. If you don’t know where to start: Twitter is great for anything otaku related (yes, I have made friends through Twitter), and meetup.com is actually not bad either. I don’t know how much longer you plan on staying here, but really, if you can in any way afford it, your attitude should be to try everything. Get out of your comfort zone.
You can read text books in your home country. You will never have as easy access to Japanese people as in Japan.
As for your focus studying: Lots of people find it easier to study in cafes. It’s a bit counter-intuitive, but basically the white noise is perfect to concentrate for many people. The chain stores will not ask you to leave, even if you only buy one drink.
Edit: Because I wanted to add something: The more you enjoy doing something in Japanese, the easier it will become to use and retain the language. The less it will be a burden. That’s why I’m saying to do stuff.