japanese studying advice (Q&A) | CONVERSATIONALLY FLUENT, NOW WHAT? IS JLPT IMPORTANT?

[@TripleM24]

I understand how you feel. I've been learning Japanese on and off for about 6 years and have never pushed past N3 level. Im sometimes embarrassed by that especially seeing people I took class with farther along than me. I just remind myself that learning a language is a lifelong thing and it's not a race. The important thing is to just keep going and don't quit.

[@AllisoninTokyo]

Yes!!! Learning Japanese isn't a race, it should just be done at the pace you want to! Some people (not me 😭) go super fast and I admire them but there's nothing wrong with taking a bit longer too 🌸

[@Ali-vx4ox]

what you said about avoiding burnout is so true! taking breaks and diversifying activities with japanese are things i only recently started doing, and i find myself enjoying studying more than just working in textbooks day in and day out. great advice in this video! 👍

[@AllisoninTokyo]

yes!! diverse activities are so important otherwise it gets sooooo dull 💀😭

[@SmartJapanHacks]

Practicing speaking Japanese alone is really good advice! I thought I was the only one who did this 🙂 I used to do this, even if I had someone to talk to, just to get some extra speaking time in. Regarding burnout, I think it's a good idea to add variety to the way you study and what kind of material you make use of. One summer I got hooked on a manga and read the whole series in Japanese. That helped a lot, because it didn't really feel like I was studying. Once you get to the point where you can understand Japanese enough to enjoy it, you don't have to consciously study all the time to improve.

[@shadw2272]

Perfect timing I just started studying a few days ago I was just looking for something to watch

[@kamerynhaynes7076]

AHHHHHHHHHHHH, this has motivated me to finish my essay just so I can watch this with a cup of coffee!😍☕

[@AllisoninTokyo]

yesss you can do it!! 🥳

[@ghostbird3651]

thanks for the wanikani tip! Honestly not sure how did I not know about it until now. Just quickly checked it out and it seems really helpful! I can put up with grammar and remember vocab quite easily but kanji is something I'll struggle with forever (well.. literally, haha)

[@NotMilesPrower]

Thanks so much for answering our questions and encouraging us!!

[@TheGrandRapidian]

As a fellow foreigner in Japan, I just wanted to say spot on comments! I’m technically an “expat” as you described (U.S. Navy), but I’ve lived here a while and finally started taking it seriously once I finished my master degree last year. Your comment on even being N5/N4 level is completely correct. Being able to read and even say basic things is so huge, and something I try to impart on my Sailors. Great videos and please keep making them! Are you taking N2 this Sunday? Or waiting? Edit: I use Bunpro for grammar, and like you watch dramas and read. 深夜食堂　(Tokyo Midnight Diner) on Netflix is my fave show lol. Edit2: oh ok you finished N2, great! (Clearly I’m commenting as I watch haha)

[@AllisoninTokyo]

I'm glad you have taken it seriously!! I meet a lot of people in the military who don't really bother to learn even the basics and I can't imagine living here for years without knowing anything, even if they spend most of their time on base 😅

[@automailmechanic]

@@AllisoninTokyo so wow I didn’t know you did KZbin!! You just popped up in my recommended videos! (You are taking over my Monday classes;) )

[@automailmechanic]

And just to add-from what I’ve seen so far, we are pretty similar! I started learning Japanese at 16 as well😁 I also did a bit of KZbin but then I got super shy 🤪

[@TheGrandRapidian]

@@AllisoninTokyo thank you! I live off base thankfully, but yep, working on base every day in English is a challenge. Just drove down to move to Sasebo too, took N5 in Nagasaki July 4! Agreed, many people see their time here as temporary, so they don’t try to learn. Too bad, because it makes life here better if you know even the basics (like being able to read a menu). Please keep making your videos, they are so good.

[@jessicataylor657]

I love all your videos!! They are so helpful and inspiring!!!

[@NinjaMaruSensei]

7:06 This is a good one! Like you said, this thing happens. I think you just have to convince yourself that taking break is a part of learning process 😀!

[@sere955]

Thank you very very very much, finally I've found someone that talks abt japanese learning in a more "normal" way. Personally I'm studying japanese for so many years and specially here where I live it's not so well teached...so everything is just "your work" as usual and I think it's okay. I've been to Japan for a year, in Hirosaki and I really noticed the differences, when I came back my Japanese was surerly better but I think not just because of "going to Japan", but just feel it more relaxed, like no struggling, no comparison, just relaxing. In this video I just noticed that your way of thinking the learning of Japanese is very similar to mine. For "normal" people I think it takes time, and it's okay, languages have so many different rules and things that no one can be so easy and catchy. Anyway the fact for me is that I'm kinda still struggling for grammar and Kanji, best way for me is surerly to use youtube videos of daily life of japanese people, so listening and reading daily life stuffs can help a lot I think, because are the things that you probably use a lot also in your language. I know that I don't know medical names stuff in italian hahahah. Just go step by step and always remember (this is something that only my Japanese teachers gave me, so no my italian teachers...they NEVER) don't worry. If you like japan for any reason and you want to learn japanese and you are struggling, don't compare yourself to others, you are yourself, take your time and follow little steps, also do wrong because you can learn more, it's okaaaay. I know japanese people who struggles to learn italian and I know how difficult it is, they also need their time so, play video games in japanese, go to youtube, use anime (even though you can't catch everything but just some it' okay), music, etc.. . Sorry for the long text but I know the "feels" when you think you are not good enough. It takes time, like everything but if you are aware of it, you can do it! There is no a "one way" to learn japanese, like other things, you will find yours. For example I can't write 10000000 times the same kanji and remember it, I need to read/listen to it in different situations, and I think someone can say the same ahahhahaha Thank you again for your video

[@esthervolkening3568]

Just bought the 38mm muji gel pen thanks a lot for replying to my question! 🙏🙏🙏

[@ThisOrThat13]

Lol you're funny little edits. These are helpful videos. Planning a month visit. With your pronunciation of "important" has me being conscious of my diction now.

[@dianebaker5243]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on speaking Japanese. 👍😁

[@toodleloos]

i recently found your videos and you've got me so encouraged. im late to the game, trying to learn japanese in my very adult life far from elastic brain and I had no idea where to even start or how to get where. every video i ever find is like, force your brain to make goals in this certain time and...im just not built like that lol. my brain dont do that. that or having to live in japan to ever understand anything which is not in the cards anytime soon in my life. so im glad you have some more diverse answers 💖 makes me a feel little less desolate

[@AllisoninTokyo]

you can do it!! you definitely dont have to live in japan, though it of course helps 😅don't worry and go at your own pace 👏

[@annapotpot]

Thank you very much for answering my question, Allison :) what you said about comparisons is so true.

[@KellieLStimson]

After doing an exchange program years ago for six months, I came home to AUS and passed N3. Years later I think I’m still at the same level. As a teacher now, the only thing I would say that it is beneficial to write kanji - not because you need to but because of the numerous studies that show that writing helps the memory build up. I just maintain these days for my own pleasure. Don’t think I’ll get to live in Japan again, just holidays.

[@AllisoninTokyo]

Yes writing is definitely useful for memorizing!! And I totally understand, when I returned to America my Japanese plateaued at N3 too 😅

[@AngelicWings5]

Thank you so much for the video! Looking forward to more :D I still have that problem with making mistakes! However, I would just remember my elementary teacher telling me that making mistakes/asking questions is a good thing, as we learn from them!!

[@AllisoninTokyo]

A lifelong lesson!! 😭 Even though I still struggle with it too sometimes 😆

[@adriannamartin5992]

Fellow Floridian here!!! I’m subscribed and I enjoyed this video

[@AllisoninTokyo]

florida rise up 😎

[@larissashomeinteriors8821]

Such good info! Loved this! 🤍

[@sheharyarameen2648]

Thanks for the lesson ありがとうございます helped me immensely

[@MamaoLiwacz]

あなたのアイコンを見て、とても見覚えがあるのですが、秋山さんでしょうか？

[@Areslade]

Great video Allison! loved the insight! been studying the last few months and your advice on the questions asked was really helpful for things i was thinking about.

[@AllisoninTokyo]

Thank you!! I’m glad it was helpful 🥰

[@Reagbotics]

Expecting my placement in the next day or two, so this was perfect timing wise!

[@clarar2187]

Same! Trying to pass the time!

[@Reagbotics]

@@clarar2187 with every new day is a new chance to see lol.

[@pierrel1333]

Allison Thx for your sharing and expert linguistic support; your life sharing in a top Tokyo univ is very very inspiring. Thanks and look forward to more jolt advice and guidance !

[@Toujoursbecs]

Great video as always! Thanks for the tips :)

[@evak5890]

Thanks for your sharing✨

[@anniebush21]

everything in this video really helped me with my motivation thank you so much!!

[@福禄寿-e8y]

面白いビデオ。購読しました❕

[@JohnMiller-zr8pl]

👍🏻👍🏻

[@rachaelkent3303]

I bought a cheap cheap cheap pair of earbuds for the shower and listen to podcosts or youtube in the shower, while getting dressed, cooking, cleaning, etc. It's a great way to sneak in 10-40 minutes throughout the day.

[@sorrygoogle9828]

In the shower? How do they not break :O

[@rachaelkent3303]

@@sorrygoogle9828 they're water proof. hence the words "earbuds for the shower"

[@LicensedTeacherFor4y-7y]

I heard Allison's well. I am sure i am unconsciously familiar with kanji. Because i am A s i a n like others. Although i am still previewing in Japanese. I consider if necessary or not with your youtubechannel so much at once.

[@chubbyzenitsu8400]

Jlpt n5 - no Japanese knowledge at all Jlpt n4 - a handful of Japanese Jlpt n3 - a nice portion of Japanese Jlpt n2 - your lowkey ALMOST fluent😭 Jlpt n1- fluent 👍🏾

[@chubbyzenitsu8400]

That’s how my (old) Japanese teacher explained it too me lol (I’m not a self studing student and I’m tryna get too jlpt n3 👌🏾)

[@melissamayhaps8990]

Do you (or anyone) have Japanese KZbin channels that they like, that they can recommend? Please and thank you! 😊

[@zifeiwang7070]

I knew all the kanji mean,but I don't know how read it,because I am a Chinese.

[@trice1857]

日本人はみんな暗記で漢字覚えてるから勉強の仕方とかのアドバイスできないけど、がんばって！！

[@athmosskep1er297]

i started learning japanese today and there is a possibility that i can learn it all in a year or less?

[@athmosskep1er297]

i'm just learning it mostly because of a game

[@carlyf138]

No way😅 the quickest I’ve heard of was 18 months but the person ended up with huge burnout. I would say 2 and a half years min to get to around N2 but that’s if you’re really diligent.

[@vanoanngo1694]

Đã đăng ký kênh sau khi xem vd.

[@tentacleprincess5772]

Love the videos!! 🥰