My Life-Long Learning Journey – Learn Japanese
There are a number of Kettle list tasks that are clearly not getting done at the moment, but the one that is getting the most attention is #4 Learn Japanese.
If, however, you are new here and you’re thinking “What is ‘Pollys Pad’ all about then?” or, more likely “What is a ‘Kettle List’?” Then let me offer some context.
Maybe you want a whole background/life story version? Then check out the home page. There is also a post about all of the tasks on the list.
If you want the TL;DR, it’s like a Bucket List but less depressing; instead of doing all the things before I die, I want to get them done before March 2027, when I turn … well older.
私は日本語を勉強しようとしています
I feel like I have been learning Japanese forever! (That says ‘I am trying to studying Japanese, by the way)
Which also means I feel I should be better at it than I currently am. I have the books, use the videos on YouTube (I cannot recommend George Trombley from ‘Japanese from Zero’ enough) yet I still think I should have made far more improvement than I have.
The problem with learning alone is ‘conversation’. I do have my Japanese friend Yumi, whom I regularly Skype, but we more often than not speak in English. That is the problem with speaking such a universally spoken language, it reduces the urgency in learning others.
Measuring progress
I could beat myself up on how little I know, but the truth is, I am certainly better than I was when I started. There is the fact that I can actually read Hiragana and some Kanji – Katakana continues to allude me, but I am working on it.
So when will I consider this task as completed? I’m not even sure myself really. Perhaps when I can have a good conversation? When I pass Level 5 of the Japanese Proficiency test?
I may enter an exam just to get an all-important piece of paper that will tell me I am good enough. Or maybe working my way up the ranks of the Duolingo Leader Boards? I have noticed that I have automatically started reading words, or know the words for things.
What I need is to talk more.
How it is going…
May 2017:
I have now got books 1 -4 of Japanese from Zero, together with Kanji from Zero. These are part of a series created by George Trombley, which together with the accompanying website and Youtube Videos are an excellent source for anyone looking to start Japanese, literally from zero knowledge of the Language. There is also a Facebook group, of which I am a member. If you want an invite, shout me out in my DM’s.
Other tools that I have been using for learning include the website Learn with Oliver, together with watching subtitled Japanese television programs on YouTube – particularly ones that star Mokomichi Hayami (sigh). I have also got a few books, that will help me improve and speed up my reading comprehension, well …そう だ と いい ね!
September 2017:
I am currently working my way through book 2 of Japanese from Zero – while watching the videos. This means I can conjugate verbs, make invitations, and read all of the Hiragana, most of the Katakana, and a few Kanji. I would very much like to work in Japan one day, so I am hoping to get my skill level up – to the extent that I am now spending at least one hour a day on my Japanese learning.
May 22nd 2019:
Despite doing really well in online tests, and in reading, I still struggle to speak. Yumi reminded me on Sunday that we do not do enough Japanese talking; all my knowledge is theoretical so far. It has not been really tested though. I feel I am really going to need to create and set some goals for my learning. It has been a few years now, and I should be better than I am.
That is why I am planning on getting out of my comfort zone and trying out a ‘chat event’ at some point. I will let you know how that goes…
An end of year update 2019
なぜ私は十分に学んでいないのですか！
2020年は日本語を一生懸命勉強する年です
I am determined to nail this – これをするつもりです
January 2020
I am currently at a 682-day streak on Duolingo, which has not only prevented my family being kidnapped by an owl (It’s a meme!) but has seen me rise up those league tables.
While I feel more confident in my knowledge, it is not really being tested. I feel the only way forward is another holiday to Japan. It’s drastic, I know, but I feel full emersion is the way forward!
April 2020
With the world on lockdown, there is no excuse to not to be practising my Japanese. I have gone back over the first book of ‘Japanese from Zero’, along with all the videos and I am surprised at how much I actually know.
Duolingo is also going well: I have a 754-day streak and I am hoping that this week I will be ascending to the Diamond League.
Yumi has contacted me from Japan and we have a ‘chat date’ on April 6th, so I can also work on my speaking skills. That is definitely the area in which I need more confidence. This pandemic has kind of put a halt on any plans I had to visit Japan soon, but I will keep practising.
私は日本語を練習し続け、いつか日本に住むという私の夢を実現します。
June 2020
I have decided to invest some money. If I want to get serious about learning Japanese I am going to need lessons. Every Wednesday evening I chat with Noriko-san and work my way through ‘Japanese for busy people’.
It was great to receive the news that rather than being a ‘beginner’ I was more ‘intermediate’. My reading is actually going really well. What I want to concentrate on now is getting better at listening and speaking.
August 2020:
My lessons continue to go well; Yumi has even pointed out my improvement. We have chats every Sunday and at least 50% of the conversation is in Japanese.
My greatest skill is certainly reading, with listening and writing being my worst!
I just hope that one day I will be able to visit again to practice all I have been able to learn.
June 2021:
It’s been a while, so time for another language-learning update.
I am still having weekly lessons with Noriko-san, as well as frequent chats with my friend Yumi in Nara.
Lockdown has meant I was able to binge Netflix and watch as many Japanese programs as I could find. Doing this, along with listening to Kyoto radio means I have been able to immerse myself in natural-sounding speech.
My vocabulary has certainly improved, as has my reading and speaking. I’ve moved on to Japanese for busy people book 2 during my lessons and I continue to work through my own books as well.
I am spending at least an hour per day studying and reading, and I have topped Duolingo’s Diamond League at least 3 times. My streak is now at 1205 days!
Really I should have completed the Duolingo ‘tree’ by now, but I keep returning to familiar lessons. It comes down to the self-confidence thing again I think. That is probably what is holding me back; my constant need to get things exactly right. There are those who have been studying for far less time than me who can confidently converse, while I need constant reassurance that I haven’t made a mistake.
If I want to get better at Japanese I am going to need to get over myself and do what I know I am capable of.
March 2023:
An even bigger gap! But this update is worth it.
While the N5 JLPT exams have been cancelled for the last few years (thanks Covid!) I am hoping to enter this December. And my Duolingo streak stands at 1837 days!
Even better than that. At the end of the month, I will be flying out to Kansai, to stay with Yumi in Nara. 12 days in Japan, a few of which I will be on my own. An amazing opportunity to wander around and try my Japanese on unsuspecting shop assistants and tourist guides!