Despite using this site for a while, I haven’t actually ever posted. I’ve been studying for about 3 years now without skipping a day (though, I stopped after a bit in Bunpro, having reset it recently to go over everything again from the start).
I’ve lived in Japan for 2 years, and since I’m returning to the states, thought I’d share what helped me most in learning Japanese to what I’d say is more or less upper intermediate (basically able to do anything yourself without translation help in public—phone lines, internet, shutting on and off gas, reading contracts, and on to normal bar conversations on typical topics).
In the beginning, maybe around 3 months or so, I actually used duolingo and Genki I, but after a while, I felt it not really hitting what I needed. Not that I really view either of those sources as bad (really, I think text and duo are great for beginners), but that with them, my progress stagnated.
I did some research and began to use Wanikani, Bunpro, and a 6000 word deck on anki (1000 at a time) to study. Aaaand, did this every day with 20 new words a day, and 3 grammar points (slowing down to 1 if my accuracy dropped too much).
I moved to Japan about a year into studying, quickly realizing that I couldn’t really speak much at all… or understand. I’ll admit, it was a massive blow, considering my level should’ve been slightly above basic. Buuuuuut, it only took about a month to adjust my ear to the sounds (and manner of speaking in Okinawa).
Bringing me to my next point. Going to bars, sitting at the counter—or random strangers tables—and talking was by far the fastest improvement I had. By about the first 4 months in Japna, I had completed my 6k words deck and began to use migaku (which I had purchased back on Patreon waaaay before for like $10 or something), making 20 new cards a day from shows on my Netflix account.
Karaoke bars were my favorite as songs were the best way I found to increase my reading speed. I practiced basically only fast-ish songs (rap singers popular in oki or sticking to anything by creepy nuts (save for otonoke… still impossible)).
Gosh, this was more of a rant than anything, not really advice. But, if there’s anything I can say—this is definitely a process. If you stick with it, you WILL see yourself progress. Every now and then, go back to something you couldn’t understand. Realize now that ‘oh, I know that word!’ is a massive increase. Even distinguishing between words you don’t know is a huge leap. I imagine I still got a few years before I really get the hang of multi person conversations.
Keep the passion up. Don’t burn out. If you can, get to Japan and don’t be shy. (trust me, people here aren’t as shy as the internet says. In my experience, Japanese people just are raised not to talk much in certain places. Go to a bar, and boy—wild is an understatement.)
Umm anyway, probably my final post on here too. I’m not much of a forum dude, but who knows.
BYE bye!
