Improving Listening Tips

Film pictured: 秒速5センチメートル (5 CM per Second) Today’s topic is improving those listening skills through keyword repetition and breaking down long words, getting the gist, and using different listening materials. *Keyword Repetition: When you first start listening to Japanese speech, I’m sure it all sounds like a big jumble. You don’t know when the sentence… Continue reading Improving Listening Tips

Demystifying Kanji ~ Beginner Kanji Learning Tips (and Where to Begin?)

I think the first thing every beginner needs to do is CHANGE their mindset towards kanji. There seems to be a general fear or ugh feeling of starting out and not knowing everything. Well guess what, until you are N1 you probably won’t know all the common kanji and even then you might still not… Continue reading Demystifying Kanji ~ Beginner Kanji Learning Tips (and Where to Begin?)

For Beginners: What They Don’t Usually Tell You When You are Starting Japanese

I think everyone knows Japanese is hard, but what I think they never tell beginners is just how hard it is (or extra it can be). Like everyone knows that there are 3 writing systems. I assume most people know that the verb and object switch places. But I think what never gets mentioned is… Continue reading For Beginners: What They Don’t Usually Tell You When You are Starting Japanese

My Take on Study Motivation for Japanese

I think that any language can be very exciting at first and then after a few weeks you realize it is harder than you initially anticipated, lose motivation, and quit.  But Japanese especially provides a specially unique challenge. So many people I know personally have an interest in learning or started studying, but can’t make… Continue reading My Take on Study Motivation for Japanese

All About Immersion: Myths and Methods

Location: Omotesando Misconceptions MYTH: If I go to x country, I will become conversational/fluent in that language (without studying) REALITY 1: If I go to that country WITHOUT studying the language at all, I will probably pick up some basic vocabulary, phrases, and greetings at best (unless you are amazing at language acquisition). You will… Continue reading All About Immersion: Myths and Methods