My Worst Mistakes Learning Japanese (7 Years to JLPT N1)

NO MUSIC VERSION: • My Worst Mistakes Lear...
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More details on mistakes mentioned:
1. No Flashcards.
I think you actually could learn Japanese with no flashcards, if you have a good pipeline of level-appropriate content to study. This is just very hard to find when you're an absolute beginner, especially way back in 2008.
2. Paper Flashcards.
Fun, but not very efficient. You can have a deck of 100 cards, and you have to go through all 100 just to find the 1 or 2 cards you actually need to review.
3. One-word Flashcards.
Even learning them in a collocation or short phrase is better than this. But ideally you want them in sentences in specific contexts (mistakes 6 and 7).
4. Learning w/out kanji.
Ultimately, you read to learn Japanese by developing a great sight vocabulary (i.e. being able to 'read' a word written with kanji as a whole the moment you see it). But studying words without kanji delays the acquisition of sight vocabulary. Also, you're not really learning to read natural Japanese but instead a dumbed-down version of it.
5. E→J Flashcards.
People often argue with me when I say this. Putting the target language on the back of a flashcard makes the flashcard more difficult. More difficult flashcards take longer to do. So you learn new words more slowly. Knowing 1000 words really well is not as useful as "sort of" knowing 2000 words. You need to "sort of" know A LOT of words if you want to interact with native materials (e.g. TV shows), and being able to do so speeds up your learning even more (so that you no longer just "sort of" know all those words). If you want to really "make a word stick", study it in multiple sentences/contexts, not an E→J flashcard. If you want to get better at writing or speaking, try to convert the thoughts in your brain specific to you into Japanese, then have a native speaker give you feedback on the attempt, if possible.
6. Words w/out Sentences.
Yeah, learning words in phrases or common collocations is better than learning them in isolation, but learning them in full sentences (which can be 1-word sentences, depending on the context) is better.
7. Sentences w/out Contexts.
It's so hard to learn natural Japanese if you don't know the exact context in which a sentence is being used. I should have been wary of learning materials (textbooks!) that pretend including the context for target sentences is optional.
8. Overemphasizing SRS.
Unless you are studying flashcards that have specific contexts for all the sentences you're studying, your flashcards are probably too light on context. Also, they weight repetition over variety of contexts, which is a less efficient way to learn. I think SRS can be good for when it's hard to get a steady pipeline of high-quality, level-appropriate, context-rich study content. But SRS shouldn't be prioritized over that if access to such a pipeline exists.
9. Focusing Primarily on Kanji.
It's easier to learn kanji in words in sentences in specific contexts. This can be done faster without ever setting aside separate "kanji studies".
10. Kanji by Rote.
This really did not work well for me. I'm astounded people say they learned (to read!) kanji this way - including native speakers.
11. Quitting Completely.
Man, if only I'd kept studying those 2 years (between 2010-2012)!
12. Constant Doubt.
This made learning Japanese so much more painful. And it's the main reason I quit for 2 years.
13. J→J Flashcards.
This isn't a terrible "mistake", as there are some benefits. But I could have learned more words faster by leaning on my native-level knowledge of English. Learning more words faster is always preferred because it raises comprehension, which in turn makes learning more things faster and easier. Also, I wanted to translate, and this made that very hard initially.
Other Notes:
I didn't address much related to speaking or writing (i.e. production). Not everyone is interested in this, and I don't want to give people who aren't the false impression that they need to be. In other words, if you just want to consume Japanese media and don't care about talking (just yet), that's totally fine. If you want to speak, though, that needs to be incorporated into your studies sooner than later (another mistake of mine).
Good luck with your studies! You can do it! Don't give up!
P.S. I put that shirt on the merch store: shop.niko.blog/
Code: CTVPDSXPQTNYT2DT

[@japanesewithniko]

Music too loud?? Here is a version of the video with no music: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o5-rqq2NabN2mZY If you want to chat about learning Japanese, people in our Discord are very knowledgeable/supportive: discord.gg/nativshark

[@Cali2Kyushu]

I didn't think the music is too loud, I can hear you fine. I've lived in Japan for 3 years and I am constantly giving up on practice, so this is very helpful for me to start forming a practice routine for JLPT. Thanks!

[@marukosu480]

it perfect, relax.

[@dennisreynolds1341]

Finally, a channel that's not another person who's learned N5-N1 in a year.

[@mateuszlitwinek7230]

exactly my thoughts

[@japanesewithniko]

I wish! lol I remember seeing content like that in my first several years of studying, and it was so discouraging for me because my progress felt so slow. Looking back now, it could have been faster, sure. But I should have been more focused on sticking it out, rather than being worried about learning fast.

[@manchestermike4698]

Anyone who claims they learned n1 level in a year is full of shit and probably couldn’t hold a conversation with a native

[@furandesu14]

I guess it is possible studying 8 hours a day or so. It is just unrealistic for 95% of people who have more responsibilities. Everyone will get there eventually if studying consistently

[@ChickenSundae]

9/10 times when I see this type of person they know chinese...

[@Uatemydoodle]

Amateur. I've studied Japanese for over 10 years and don't even have N5 yet. Get on my level.

[@japanesewithniko]

Please teach us your ways

[@Uatemydoodle]

@@japanesewithniko The secret is to be too stingy to pay for JLPT examination. 🤣

[@baileymason725]

Omg same

[@MrShem123ist]

​@@Uatemydoodle Stonks 😂

[@msmith155]

This but for 4 years. But truthfully I just never put any consistent time into Japanese, only brief periods of intense study biyearly.

[@metalsabatico]

In a world where everyone claims that if you don't reach N1 in two years you are dumb, this s such a relief to hear. I've been studying on my own for about 20 months and sometimes the voice is very loud. Thanks for this.

[@japanesewithniko]

Yeah, for real. It can be very stressful to hear people talk about doing "better" than you are. Anyway, I'm glad you found the video helpful. Good luck with your studies!

[@verylargebug]

I feel like you have to really be searching to find that kind of claim. And perhaps already have some feelings of inadequacy to be as hyperbolic as to say 'everyone' does it. From what I've seen, the overwhelming majority of language learners know it's a big commitment and that everyone's circumstances are different. While I'm sure it happens, I've never seen anyone call someone dumb for not reaching a certain level as quickly as they did. I know I come off as harsh typing up a big essay but it's frustrating to see someone spin such a defeating narrative. Probably because I can somewhat relate tbh. Just try not to let that loud voice get to you because I honestly think it's coming from inside your head.

[@lordclown1187]

The thing is, I've spoken with such people. It's really one thing to get the textbook Japanese right, but a different thing to actually converse with people. Now, I'm at N3, practically from 85% conversation practice, so a lot of sentences are smooth. I think, if one really studies and uses a mix of decent/good methods, they can reach a certain fluency in a year. If you're not constantly making an effort, Japanese is a very difficult language to learn. I don't see myself mastering it as fast as I mastered English. English didn't really take that much effort though. Maybe 3 years total in my current pace. My goals are to be able to write good manga/Light novels, and potentially real novels. You're definitely not dumb or lazy for not being able to reach such a level in less than 5 years. But if someone has been living in Japan for 10 years, I find it very disrespectful for them to not be fluent. To struggle in daily conversations. Obviously, not learning the type of Japanese used by various government agencies even after 10 years is understandable. Normal Japanese people even struggle with that. Well, I wish everyone who's doing their best good luck!

[@ajc5930]

Lol what is dumb in this context though? Literally anyone can learn a language if their environments demand it, this has been well proven. There are people out there who speak near flawless Japanese but are basically illiterate because they learned to communicate with their spouses, in-laws, and irl friends and have just consistently done it for decades. They aren't dumb, and if anything because of not wanting to have any sort of existence in Japan beyond tourism, they are hella wise and have added maximum value to their lives for their time and effort. When anybody judges me I just get a huge reminder that I don't want to be like them and waste even one second by judging anyone but myself unless it's absolutely situationally necessary. Doing that gives nothing to me, and actually takes from me.

[@x123Juancho123x]

Who tf says that. That's you projecting insecurities. Instead of focusing on that focus on what those people did to get to that level and learn from it. I personally don't care about speedrunning N1 and just learn at my own pace.

[@rrr...080]

Guys you're not alone. My mother language is Japanese and I've been studying English for 10+ years and still can't speak properly. The structures of English and Japanese are freaking different. Not only you struggling with it but Japanese doing too.

[@japanesewithniko]

Yeah, it's definitely tricky in both directions. Sometimes it feels like it's actually easier for a native English speaker, even.

[@Nohbdy_Ahtall]

This is a valuable perspective, thank you. If anyone finds any videos that go into that difference, let me/us know? Can't beat this guys voice and calming everythingism of ultimate cozy, though, I bet, prove me wrong, go make more >.>

[@yasuragi85]

learning japanese has been an interesting process to me. As a native portuguese speaker and having no idea about how I even got to a level of english where I can understand things effortlessly, I had 0 background on how to approach language study. I basically had to figure out what worked and what didn't for me all by myself. A year later now I'm really glad I picked up on JP. It's not like I've reached fluency but hey, we're always learning

[@rafhamine1792]

Same here, compatriota 🇧🇷

[@japanesewithniko]

Everyone's journey is different. Good luck with your studies! By the way, I had a few months period back in 2015 or so when I really wanted to learn (European) Portuguese. Still planning to come back to it someday!

[@Jensonolp]

I really appreciate how you focus on the mistakes and challenges you've faced while learning Japanese. Showcasing errors and pitfalls is equally, if not more, important than showcasing how a skill can be acquired quickly. Thanks for being real about it all and sharing your insights with the Japanese learning community! Keep up the great work.

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you for the kind words. I hope the video is helpful to other people learning. Good luck with your studies! ^_^

[@rafhamine1792]

I've had about 10 years of japanese classes twice a week during elementary and middle school, and I graduated without being to hold even a basic conversation and failed JLPT N5. I was so frustated that after all this time I hadn't been able to learn japanese, but after I started studying by myself, that's when I really began to learn, and it's been only a couple of months now. So, it's really encouraging watching someone that it's not claiming to have learnt N1 level in a couple of months. Great video!

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video. I think for the vast majority of people, it takes, even with solid effort and commitment, 4+ years to reach N1 level. So much is dependent on a person's circumstances, age, learning environment, study methods, etc. though. If I had to start over today, I'd be much more efficient. But with work, three little kids, and everything else, it'd probably still take me 5+ years to hit N1. But at least I'd be more confident that I'd get there with consistent effort long-term. Thanks for commenting!

[@nikhilbhatt24]

could you please suggest some resources?

[@rafhamine1792]

@@nikhilbhatt24 maybe you are asking @japanesewithniko, but right now I have just finished the textbook Genki 1, and it helped me a lot covering the basics. For vocabulary I'm using Anki and a Kanji app, so that I can study while commuting. I still have muchh to learn, but those resources are being my strategy, and the most important thing is to pick one and just start doing it and being consistent. I passed months just watching the best study method without actually studying. After I finished Genki 1, I am also having a private tutor to help me with speaking and grammar, but it's not fundamental. My plan is to finish Genki 2 now!

[@nikhilbhatt24]

@@rafhamine1792 I just started with Hiragana so I was a bit confused. Thanks a lot, I’ll check these out!

[@liamcorreia6984]

Thank you so much for assuring me that it's okay, no matter where you are. I've been self studying Japanese for about 6 months now, and I've loved almost every moment of it, but it's been very hard for me to really gauge how well I'm actually doing. Like if I tell people I'm studying Japanese, they ask me to tell them something in Japanese and I'm like 'uHhHHh...　僕のなめは。。。’, and they're always like 'wow, 6 months for that???' or something like that. Sorry, I'm ranting, but I just wanted to thank you so much for this video. It really did make my day better, and I hope my experience was shared by everyone else who watched this.

[@ungodlyaura]

「なまえ」* sucks to have your learning speed judged by others when they themselves haven't studied another language (especially one of the hardest). but don't let it bother you, especially if speech isn't even the thing you're focusing on. any consistent effort will take you there eventually.

[@monolithsoft_guy]

That sort of question from others is extra terrible, because spontaneously saying something in Japanese (beyond "my name is ...") is WAY more difficult than understanding something that someone else is saying in Japanese or reading something. So basically these people demand the most difficult part of learning the language.

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm glad you got value from the video, thanks. I remember being about 6 months into very seriously studying Japanese, and someone gave me the, "Say something to me in Japanese", and I froze. I ended up counting to 10 lol. But hey, they were impressed! Good luck with your studies ^_^

[@s.k.bradford297]

I've been in Japan for 2 years. I've been learning Japanese for 7. I show up and study everyday and it feels like things don't stick. I still struggle with some fundamental basics and that voice tends to get pretty loud sometimes. But I usually wait for it to pass and it does. But this past weekend, that voice got the loudest it's ever been "You'll never learn it" and tbh, I really wasn't sure. I love Japanese but it doesn't love me back sometimes haha Then I stumble upon your video by chance, and in a very calm and kind voice, I hear "I have that voice too. don't let it get to you. don't be too hard on yourself and enjoy it." and I have been in tears for the last 10 minutes. This made me feel incredibly better. Thank you.... so much. Please let me know where to send the therapy bill.

[@Ohrami]

You really read/listen for at least 1-2 hours every day and have for 7 years and still don't feel anything sticks?

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm so glad this video found you at such a crucial moment. I'm not sure exactly when it happened, but that voice did go away for me eventually. I think it will for you too. If you are showing up consistently, then I think you have the hard part figured out. If you want to get feedback on the specific study methods you're using, I think people in the NativShark Discord community would have good advice. I'm in there too: www.nativshark.com/community

[@s.k.bradford297]

​@@Ohrami I watered it down to make sure the comment wasn't a mini essay haha Some stuff I remember and others I don't even with SRS, back and forward flashcards, re-reading same passages/re-listening to the same short things. Others I remember but struggle with using. I was someone who didn't know what study process worked for me until very recently so most of that time was wildly inefficient. I also was in the camp that got overly in my head and anxious when it came time to speak so I didn't REALLY start speaking until year 6. It's gotten better but even now, when I don't remember a word or start saying something but don't know how to finish it, my brain goes into panic mode and I can't hear myself think over the doubt that gets REAL loud. So I guess it's more accurate for me to say, it's less about studying as it is me being in my own head because if I don't remember something, I feel like it hasn't stuck, which feels like I've been unable to learn it (which in turn feeds the doubt).

[@Scholar0fLanguage]

your voice was so soothing bro but im glad to hear any time put into studying counts

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm surprised that a lot of people fine my voice soothing. Thank you for saying that. ^_^ Good luck with your studies!

[@Nohbdy_Ahtall]

Quite a big deal to the video I must say, experientially. I won't be surprised if a huge boost of interest builds(based on algorithm[s] of the day) and those who seek the voice soothery will hope it remains. Time to make yourself an ASMR side-channel? You may want to for your own audience's sake soon here xD

[@baturaykumbaroglu6066]

Lemme talk about working out for a minute. In my first year or two I was obsessed with researching in-depth the most efficient, science-backed exercises and debates around the perfect form for this lift and that lift etc.. The research is worthwhile, it will give you a strong foundation to build on and set you on the right path. But at a certain point you get more value out of just... doing. Just showing up. Day after day, months on end. And for that, you need to make it a habit you enjoy. Maybe it's not the most perfectly engineered workout out there, but if you're consistently putting in some meaningful work, and you look forward to it after a long day, then that's what makes a difference long term. Now a bit over two years into studying Japanese, I feel the same way about constantly overthinking how you study. I really related to the bit about the paper flashcards there :)

[@japanesewithniko]

There are definitely a lot of overlaps between fitness and language learning. And learning a language has made me better at fitness, for sure. ^_^ Thanks for commenting!

[@EliSprague]

Hey man, this is my first video of yours to see and all I want to say is I sincerely appreciate your energy and attitude. Thanks for posting this out for everyone.

[@japanesewithniko]

Glad you liked it. Thank you for the motivating kind words! ^_^

[@seigoed88]

I’ve been studying for 15+ years off and on. Finally passed N2 on the third attempt last December. As long as you don’t give up we’re all gonna make it

[@japanesewithniko]

This is the kind of story I find most inspiring. The tenacity and persistence - it's really impressive to stick with something for so many years. Good luck as you continue your language learning journey!

[@iyasugames]

Omedeto! I started studying in 2003 and passed N2 during the prior December exam, too. It's tough when you don't live in Japan or have any real practical use for Japanese, so it can take a backseat to more pressing matters sometimes. But getting this far has taught me how to learn difficult subjects. It's fun and and I like having access to Japanese culture

[@andrewstuart9558]

I've been on and off for about 16 years since high school, studying for N2 right now and to be honest I think I might fail it. But perseverance and the desire to reach your goals will drive you to succeed, no matter how many times you may fail.

[@starmechlx]

I just hit the 10 year off and on mark this year. Finally taking the N2 for the first time this summer. Conversation is hands down the easiest part of Japanese for me. I don't need to think in English or anything. I can just freely speak Japanese with zero translation layer in my head for what I know. The issue is my vocab level is dog shit which has me worried. Been grinding out some vocabulary and reading a ton more than usual. Hoping I didn't start too late before the test!

[@Ekairah]

Been learning off and on for 7 years, now learning more hands on. I haven't taken a jlpt but know I would probably fail (my learning is all over n5 through n1.) I found a Japanese teacher who has been teaching me the basics I glossed over. If only I didn't rush. We got this guys!

[@Stellaaahmanella]

This is so encouraging! I think it is also important to remember, as someone, like myself, who struggles with perfectionism, that actually just approaching learning more loosely is better than planning everything out to be the most efficient and being stuck in that phase, and ending up learning nothing at all.

[@japanesewithniko]

Yeah, definitely. To be honest, I would prefer to only make videos where we study and learn Japanese together, rather than just talk about learning it. But there is obviously a hunger for content about methodology, efficiency, etc. which is why I made this video (and will make others). I miss being a beginner at Japanese, oddly enough. It felt like there were fascinating discoveries around every corner. ^_^

[@Stellaaahmanella]

@@japanesewithnikoI am unsure if it was clear but I was not questioning your methods. Only added to your points because I think beginners like me can often forget that learning is more important than getting everything right before actually learning. ^^ I look forward to more of your videos!

[@pwcraddock1984]

I'm SO happy to find this video and channel, thank you! Flashcards with full Japanese sentences is a great tip.

[@japanesewithniko]

Glad it was helpful! I hope you find my other/future videos valuable, as well. Good luck with your studies! And thanks for commenting ^_^

[@purpl3t1m3]

I loved this! I'm leaning heavily on wanikani now and it's helped with so many other resources (and finally being able to read things and understand the 'why' of words). It really makes them easier to remember, even though it's more to remember. I know I need to branch out again, so I'll give Nativshark a go. Thank you for sharing your story - it's always great to hear something so sincere and humble!

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you for commenting. ^_^ It sounds like you are making great progress, which is awesome. Congratulations! If you do end up using NativShark, by the way, we have an integration with WaniKani so that we don't try to teach you any kanji you've already learned there.

[@japaneselearnerap6163]

Nice video - you're right that worry and under confidence erode your ability to take things in. Enjoyment is a big part of learning. Sometimes when i read a Japanese sentence that makes me laugh, for example, or surprises me I just remember the vocabulary from seeing the word only once

[@japanesewithniko]

True, it can be very distracting. It reminds me of how sometimes when you're talking to a person in Japanese, if you are too busy worrying, "Ah! They're talking to me!" you can miss what they're saying, even if you would have understood them if you'd just listened.

[@Mobik_]

I do not use Anki... even more, Anki affected my Japanese and I learned NOTHING with it. Every single time I will keep forgetting everything. I also don't use mnemonics as it affected my Japanese and Kanji the same way as Anki. For example, I saw the word 壁 around 30 times on Anki and I'll keep failing... but I read just a few chapters of a book who had 壁 on the title and inside the chapters and boom, now I remember it forever. I read e-books with click to translate, same for podcasts with transcripts and click to translate if needed; KZbin as well, Japanese subs with click to translate. Kanji is a daily practice, 400+ days on it and reached 常用漢字 by the day 365. I need CONTEXT to learn Japanese and Anki removes most of the context from my learning process.

[@user-xz7qr1pu8r]

This !! I am taking a similar approach and making a steady but continuous improvement .

[@Kinglysharkis]

Some flashcards have kanji with a sentence attached to it

[@Mobik_]

​@@Kinglysharkiseven so... that's tons of context removed, as you didn't create the cards (most of the time, like the 2K/6K deck) and means nothing to you, therefore, you'll not remember anything. Reading books (ebooks if you want) is great as you have a huge amount of context with a story that catches you and then you can listen to proper Japanese in full context to re review what you just read to be sure.

[@japanesewithniko]

Context is certainly huge for learning Japanese. And a kanji in isolation does have all the context pulled out, which makes it harder to retain. It sounds like you've found some methods that work for you. Nice! Thank you for commenting ^_^

[@FakfridSumanko]

Do you use any apps or extentions for that?

[@fatimahmakgatho8968]

I appreciate people like you who share there experience. It's really encouraging

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you for commenting. I'm glad you found it encouraging! I certainly needed some of this perspective in my early years of studying.

[@Benisbucker]

One of the most relatable videos I've seen, keep up the good work

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you! がんばります！

[@kaungsett2241]

Mad respect with calm video and knowledge. One subscribe earned.

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm glad you got value from it. Thank you for subscribing. ^_^

[@ivangg378]

Thank you man...Im here in japan and im fighting for my life to just put the word, and I constantly doubt my methods and everything. Its cool to see that lots of people understand.

[@japanesewithniko]

I know that doubt all too well. Good luck with your studies. Thank you for commenting! ^_^

[@chansiongwoon2836]

Thank you for the advice! Also your voice is super soothinggg

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you! I'm glad you found it valuable. And thank you for commenting, also ^_^

[@joleneskvarek5649]

This was surprisingly so heartwarming. And I have done all the same mistakes. But now feel greatly encouraged to keep going. みんなさん頑張って！

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you for commenting! 頑張ってください！

[@parhwy]

Thank you for this video. I appreciated your sincerity, insight, calmness and tips. I have started (December, 2023) to DIY-learn Japanese where my goal is to get to Japan sometime in 2025 and be able to function politely in their culture by understanding and using their language. Yet already I can hear many doubts in my head, so it's kinda reassuring that someone else had that too (I wish we didn't tho); mine can be quite weird and specific, "Oh your 53 year old eyes are too weak to read kanji and your brain too old too to remember this!" And yet, I hear myself smiling with joy at how artful the language can be. I accidentally learnt a rare kanji, jellyfish, being 'ocean moon' (海月) and frankly that is too damn cute for my poetic heart. So there is hope. I will try your tip of kanji/convo/context combo instead of solely ALL hiragana then ALL essential kanji then... etc, etc.. Thank you: onegaiishimasu!

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you for commenting, and I'm glad you found value from the video. By the way, I have talked to people who have successfully reached pretty impressive levels of Japanese ability at older ages than yours. The hardest part for me when it comes to learning, as I get older, is that I have more responsibilities (work, kids, etc.), so I have less time to sit down and learn in the first place! Best of luck with your studies!

[@kairu_b]

Another calming and helpful video, sir!

[@zaila5859]

Sa true

[@kairu_b]

@@zaila5859 totoo nga

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you! ^_^

[@its.nakamura]

Your calmness and the style of your videos are my type of videos that I like, also people like you who share these stories throughout their learning journey are the reason that I am N2 in a year and a month. It is not that I am genius or I studied more than 3 hours a day, I am also a senior in uni and doing intern that do not have much spare time in their day, but like I said people like you made me realize how to not study Japanese, so I reached this level in this amount of time. Thanks and keep going please, I enjoy these videos while sipping a cup of tea

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you for the comment and kind words. And wow, you're making great progress! It took me much longer to hit N2. I don't speak Arabic, but we maintain pretty laid-back vibes in the NativShark Discord community. No everyone in there is using NativShark, either. People use all kinds of resources/methods to learn Japanese. People are generally very kind/supportive. Thank you for the comment, also!

[@shadow2002]

You have one of the sweetest voice. Also thanks for the advice.

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you. That's such a nice thing to say ^_^ ​Good luck with your studies! Feel free to reach out if you hit any speed bumps along the way.

[@gerenan]

You have a very good approach to Japanese and I really like your calm demeanor and voice.

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you ^_^. This is actually one of my more "high energy" videos... which can give you an idea of how calm my demeanor is, haha. I'm glad some people enjoy that, at least.

[@gerenan]

@@japanesewithniko where are you from and are you still in the Tokyo area? Going to Japan for 3 months (I'll go there in 10 days) and would like to meet up if you're still in Japan

[@japanesewithniko]

I grew up in Southern California. I'm not living in Japan at the moment, so I cannot meet up, unfortunately. Hope you have a nice trip!

[@kyleclark8958]

Not being too hard on yourself is the best advice. And have a good time. I hit a wall for a while and just adjusted my expectations and came at it fresh and felt a lot better. Learning a language is a lot like lifting weights. You work it enough you are going to get better no matter what method you use.

[@japanesewithniko]

I agree with you. Thank you for commenting your perspective! ^_^

[@deansimmons3259]

This is probably the most heart-warming and encouraging video I have ever seen about learning Japanese. Even though I have studied pretty intensely for nearly 4 years and passed N3, I still have self doubts and feel very inadequate and frustrated with my level and have also thought about quitting altogether. Thank you for your genuine encouragement!! It really come s through in your video.

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you for the kind words. I am so happy that the video is of value to you. N3 is a big accomplishment! I actually think you've gotten the hardest parts out of the way - the other levels of JLPT are really just more vocab and ways to string them together, if you're interested in JLPT, that is. Anyway, thank you for commenting ^_^

[@ughrockstarbaby]

Much needed advice - timely and encouraging. Thank you good sir!

[@japanesewithniko]

Glad it was helpful! ^_^

[@576kg8]

You don't understand how much this helped me tysm

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm so glad you found it helpful. ^_^

[@abdulalshibly3930]

Having quit for 3 months after learning for 4 months and coming back into it and thinking I will never make it because I quit, hearing you come back after 2 years is such a huge eye opener especially since I was nearly quitting again this week. I forgot to have fun and wanted to learn as fast as possible. Thank you for this video

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm glad this video found you at the right time. When I quit learning Japanese, it felt so final. I really thought I'd simply failed and would "never" learn it. If I'd enjoyed myself more and put less pressure on myself, I probably wouldn't have lost those 2+ years... but oh well. They at least gave me a lot of perspective. Thank you for the comment!

[@Agyo_]

Thank you so much for sharing and being so honest about your journey. It’s so refreshing to watch a video about someone who didn’t acquire their target proficiency in a ‘shorter’ amount of time. YES the self sabotage ruins it! Thank you again.

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you! Although many times over the years I did wish I'd learned it in a shorter amount of time, it feels pretty insignificant to me now. Thanks for commenting ^_^

[@jimmyjack1896]

Thank you for posting this video. I really needed to hear it today (1 month later)! Being a perfectionist myself, I spend more time trying to find the best and most efficient study methods than actually studying. I still can't see a clear path forward nor the finish line, but your words were very encouraging and inspirational. Subscribed. Thank you.

[@japanesewithniko]

Thanks for the comment, and for subscribing too. ^_^ I often come back to thinking to myself: "Am I being productive or active right now?" Active: watching videos like this one (well, except the last few minutes), reading discussions online about "the best" way to learn, calculating how many hours/days/weeks/months I need to study to reach my level, etc. Productive: Putting new Japanese into my brain. Trying to use my brain to create some of my own Japanese. Then I try to be productive for a portion of the day, every day, for a long period of time. Good luck with your studies! For more on efficiency and whatnot, I think my other recent video might be useful: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5PHZniIZdGSjLs

[@jaelsilk]

I recently got my C level bilingual certification for French. It was a 5 year journey (with the advantage of taking some French in high school) but it really only took off when I shook off the sense of pressure and doubt and just decided to enjoy myself. Excellent advice for any learning process in life.

[@japanesewithniko]

Yeah, I would definitely be more laid-back and enjoy myself if starting over. Congrats on getting to a high level of French! That's so cool ^_^

[@_Bubblefly]

How did you do it after highschool? I did get lessons from highschool and left the language completely but now i feel like completing the delf exam. Do you mind to share?

[@Dead-EyeMetal]

Thanks for this. I'm like 3 weeks into beginning to learn Japanese (as a 64 year-old). I seem to be taking longer than I expected to actually figure out how I'm going to learn. The websites, books and apps I've made a start with seem to be structured in ways that don't seem logical to me, and some seem to jump from stuff I can cope with to stuff that baffles me. Learning Kana has been nice and straightforward, but the sudden expectation to be able to learn and get tested on words containing Kanji (without Furigana), even though I've not been prepared by any teaching of those characters, keeps throwing me. Hearing about what other people have struggled with is as helpful as hearing their (often sponsored) recommendations. When I know the mistakes others have made, I can look out for those same traps. ありがとうございます。

[@japanesewithniko]

Thanks for commenting! It can certainly be overwhelming when just getting started. I wouldn't worry too much about finding the "right" study materials right away. I don't think it's a big deal if it takes you a few months of testing out various approaches and materials. At some point I'll make a video about what I do recommend, as opposed to mistakes I should have avoided. Usually I just tell people to use NativShark, which is a company I helped start. But of course I would say that ^_^. Anyway, that's so cool you're starting to learn Japanese at 64. My parents are similar ages, and I often try to get them to study new things like languages, but they aren't interested. Good luck!

[@Dead-EyeMetal]

@@japanesewithniko Thank you. And of course I will check out Nativshark, LOL.

[@stefanheiler2329]

I'm also a late starter. It's never too late to start something new!! 頑張ってください 🙏

[@slowmarchingband1]

I'm 64 in June, you're not alone! I use Duolingo and Coban apps, plus Japanese Pod101 and listen to a lot of Japanese vlogs. My wife is Japanese (which helps!) and I'm determined to be able to converse comfortably with her family eventually. 頑張って!

[@Dead-EyeMetal]

@@slowmarchingband1 Bro, a Japanese spouse is kind of cheating a little, lol. One of my colleagues has been married to a Korean lady for a few years. I was pretty shocked to discover that he has managed to avoid learning any significant amount of Korean. Weird and kind of rude, IMO.

[@lillespez]

This video just covered all my recent problems when learning Japanese. But it really helped me out, so thanks a lot!!

[@japanesewithniko]

Happy to help! I'm glad you found it valuable. And thank you for commenting. ^_^

[@tronspace]

Thank you for the honesty, good video

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you! I'm glad you found it helpful

[@zach_zach5898]

I've been studying japanese in a very relaxed manner for 3years now. During the 1st 6months I studied ~3hrs every day. went through basics course online in 3 weeks and then I read genki workbook very meticulously. I got a basic understanding of the structure and thought flow of the language so I could follow basic discussions. Then I felt like I should just practice those basic structures and add nuances over time. My main idea was not to get burnt out, but at the 1.5 year mark my consistency (at this point I studied for 2hrs 3 times per week) took a nosedive since I felt I was not as good as I was at the 1year mark. I ended up quitting for 6months until I started a university course. It was a very easy course on the basics and I didn't really learn new things, but it re-awakened my interest in japanese and I have been studying more and more, although still at a leisurely pace ever since. It will probably take me somewhere around 10years to get to n1 at my pace, but that's fine. I can translate manga with some effort, which was my original goal, and I understand spoken japanese well enough for travelling to japan someday. Just an example of someone who benefited from university courses.

[@japanesewithniko]

I don't think it really matters how long it takes, as long as you are consistent, keep your ultimate goal in mind, and enjoy the journey. You've got this!

[@japanesewithniko]

Oh, and I should have mentioned that taking university courses was very exciting for me. I enjoyed it. I just didn't learn much from the actual courses. Most of my learning, even during that time period, ended up being on my own outside of what the courses were doing. Also, some programs are no doubt better than others.

[@nikolaialkuino1537]

I needed this. Thank you so much for sharing!

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm so glad you found it helpful, thank you ^_^

[@cinnarolli]

thank you for this!!! 💖💖i've been feeling very discouraged, having barely no time to study with school and all. this advice is super helpful, so thanks again!!! :DDD

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm glad that the video found you at a good time. Good luck with your studies!

[@Sakura-zu4rz]

I haven't had any fun lately, 😭 so it was fun. You bring me joy!❤🙂I love the kind and generous heartwarming atmosphere that you create, your kind, easygoing, warm vibe. ❤

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm so glad! Thank you for commenting also ^_^

[@mihalytoth3301]

Thank you for being honest and sharing your thoughts.

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm glad some people are finding it helpful. Thank you for commenting ^_^

[@Elfyja]

Great video, this is encouraging !

[@japanesewithniko]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for commenting ^_^

[@AntonDev0]

Very happy I got recommended this video. Thank you for sharing!

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm glad you got value from it. Thank you for commenting! ^_^

[@Norman34O1]

Really sick video man. Love the vibes❤

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you! I'll do my best to make more/better ones

[@popcorn3407]

It's interesting to see how everyone has their problems and optimal learning methods, and priorities when studying! Great video

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you. I'm glad you found it useful!

[@coolbrotherf127]

I really appreciate channels like this. I was able to improve my Japanese so much faster than I ever thought possible by learning stuff like this early on. I tried learning German back about 10 years ago now before learning good study habits and got nowhere in 2 years as I could only remember the basics and didn't know how to improve.

[@japanesewithniko]

Yeah, it really speeds up learning of other new languages once you figure out what works for you, doesn't it? Now I just need to actually set aside time to learn some other languages. Maybe when my kids get a little older haha ^_^

[@dustinwatkins7843]

Great video, earned a sub! Thanks for the inspiration and advice.

[@japanesewithniko]

Thanks for the sub! I'm glad you found the video valuable. Thanks for commenting too ^_^

[@marukosu44]

Your content is amazing! Keep it in mind.

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you! I have plans to make a lot more of it. ^_^ Good luck with your studies!

[@Timzhil]

One of top 1% videos on how to properly learn Japanese out of hundreds that ive watched so far. Thank you!!!

[@japanesewithniko]

Wow, what a nice compliment. Thank you! And thanks for commenting too ^_^

[@whoflore]

love ur voice and background music. make me feel like i am actually able to learn this language

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm so happy to hear this, thank you. ^_^ Good luck with your studies! You've got this.

[@chibimarib]

Hi! I've been watching your videos and I found them super useful. I started my learning journey a year ago and I feel I don't move fast enough. Thanks for the content :)

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm glad you are finding them useful, thank you. I too never felt I was moving fast enough. I think I should have worried more about my plans to be consistent long-term, however. Best of luck with your studies!

[@xCatchii]

Thank you for the summary!!

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm glad you found it valuable, thank you!

[@limes_I]

Currently trying to stay consistent learnin japanese (again), this video just gave me really good vibes! Im currently in japan and while i don't understand most of whats spoken around me, I do feel its progressing and that is the main takeaway from learning over a longer period of time. If you keep at it its gonna become better

[@japanesewithniko]

This exactly! It sounds like you are on the right track. ​Good luck with your studies! Feel free to reach out if you hit any speed bumps along the way. ^_^

[@kupa-plus-plus]

Thank you. This came at a good time in my learning.

[@japanesewithniko]

Glad this video found you at a good time. ^_^ Thank you for commenting, and good luck in your studies!

[@twoshadesofochre]

Appreciated this so much. Thank you 🥰

[@japanesewithniko]

You're welcome. I'm glad you found it valuable ^_^

[@Uchutanjyo]

It’s probably been between 6-7 years since I started studying and I just passed N3 in December. N1 in 7 years is impressive. :) so much of it is about how much time you put in. Looking forward to watching this!!

[@japanesewithniko]

Yeah, I think that's right. When people tell me how many years they've been studying, sometimes I like to ask if they can estimate how many hours they've studied. There is a big difference between 3000 hours in 7 years VS 1000 hours in 7 years. And both are impressive accomplishments. But the latter equates to something like 23 minutes a day vs 70 minutes a day for the former. So of course there would be a big difference in results, even if study methods were not equally efficient. I find the most impressive stories to be the people I talk to who are working professionals, often with kids, who still manage to maintain a consistent study routine month after month and year after year. They might not learn as quickly as a 21-year-old who can study 4 hours a day, but that's completely fine. They do learn and improve. And you can bet on them in the long-term. Anyway, thanks for commenting!

[@user-ti1sq4pn8o]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience.

[@japanesewithniko]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you ^_^

[@Cakesaart]

タイ人として, このビデオがめっちゃ有用で分かりやすいです！❤ Please keep it up💪🏻

[@japanesewithniko]

コメントをありがとうございます！ By the way, my wife Rei and I have lived in Thailand a couple of times - 4 months in Bangkok, 6 months in Chiang Mai. We actually had our wedding in Phuket in 2017.

[@Cakesaart]

@@japanesewithniko we should meet up sometimes then!!!! 😇🙏🏻 I am a Bangkokian though 😁

[@japanesewithniko]

That would be awesome. We dream of moving back to Thailand someday. But will probably wait until our kids are a little older.

[@JapaneseLearning-fx1mk]

this is the loveliest video, thank you, you have made me feel better about my cute little flashcards

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm so glad! There's nothing like some cute little flashcards. Now if only my handwriting wasn't so ugly...

[@JapaneseLearning-fx1mk]

Ha thanks! 2 weeks into nativshark and loving it, cheers! ✌🏻

[@eljohnpro1010]

Finally a youtuber whoreally list down all the mistakes that he did on studying and not someone who just learned japanese for a year and after would boast about it. Thank you for this!! I love how you emphasize the quitting and doubting on yourself. Thought I was the only one experiencing things. In reality, learning a language really takes time. As much as we love the results, but there's no actually a way of speeding things up. It should undergo a lot of process. Also love that you said even though you think that you're studying is inefficient, it just makes the days longer but it doesn't mean that you're not learning!! So thank you for pointing out this things!!

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you for commenting ^_^ I do think a lot of us experience that doubt and whatnot for Japanese. It simply takes a big commitment to get to a high level in the language. I hope your learning journey is going well and you're enjoying it!

[@Yihwa_G]

I can relate to this so much! It took me 3 languages and almost 10 years to realize how I personally learn languages best, which is by doing a mix of things that are extremely efficient and things that I simply enjoy, regardless of how efficient they are. That is why I really liked that you mentioned this point as well. Many people in certain language learning communities use very inefficient and sometimes even ineffective methods, and I can tell that, because I used to use some of those methods as well, but ultimately, language learning is a very individual journey, and although anyone can get inspiration and knowledge from others, it is also a process of trial and error which everyone has to go through themselves at the end of the day.

[@japanesewithniko]

I know what you mean. Everyone's path is different. Whatever language I learn next, I am planning to learn it pretty "slowly" but enjoy myself the entire time. But maybe I'll wait till my kids get older so I have enough free time to make it at least somewhat feasible lol. Thank you for commenting!

[@victoria-tokyo888]

Excellent advices!!! Thank you so much ❤

[@japanesewithniko]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you ^_^

[@RamseyJapanese-ym6xp]

Love this video! ありがとう！

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm glad you liked it, thank you!

[@molotochi]

Thank you for this video. I'm going to change my ways because I've been stuck in the same place for a while. Also, your voice is very soothing.

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm glad you found it helpful. And thanks for the compliment on my voice. I was surprised that so many people had this comment. Good luck with your studies!

[@polarbearseverywheres]

What an awesome video. Recently I have been so hard on myself that maybe my study methods aren’t working and if not what’s the point. Any studying is good studying though and more importantly you’re supposed to enjoy yourself. Thank you for the video.

[@japanesewithniko]

Glad it was helpful! I was too hard on myself in general throughout my journey, too. Thank you for commenting

[@carolinasolis1698]

Thank you so much for sharing! Your video was very encouraging! I just started studying Japanese and sometimes it can be hard trying to do it on your own and finding the right resources for yourself. I've been caught in the "how do I do this?" and "am I doing it right?". So listening to other people who had already been in this journey it's very helpful! I'm very excited and really want to learn! Thanks for sharing your experience and the wisdom in it! 🙂

[@japanesewithniko]

Glad it was helpful! Yeah, I was so unsure of myself the first several years of learning. Looking back, I wish I hadn't been so stressed about it all the time. ​Good luck with your studies! Feel free to reach out if you hit any speed bumps along the way. ^_^

[@rokucon4218]

What a beautifully constructed video.

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you so much. This comment really means a lot to me. ^_^ Good luck with your studies!

[@denkodenn]

I stumbled onto this video after a year where i basically gave up on japanese. I felt this resentment towards myself because my friends that studied dilligently for a year got so much better than me when I've been studying for two years at that point. I lived in this echo chamber of people that claim to get N1 in a year or two and I felt like I was the only one dumb enough to not manage that. This video put my head back in place, I got back to my flashcards, didn't read much but at least tried flipping through some japanese books and manga I have, struggled a little bit more trying to read tweets and didn't just hit the translate button immediately. I'm feeling exactly like when I began studying, I know my limitations but I have fun when I get something right even if I can't understand a lot of the sentence. Thanks dude, really, this video is so simple but it's the push I needed to get back into things.

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm glad this video found you at a good time. It sounds like you only took a year off, which I think isn't too bad. I took 2 years off and was surprised that a lot of the language I'd learned was still hiding there in my brain once I got back into my studies. Good luck!

[@jukiaaa]

Was super surprised when this showed up on my youtube recs! I started learning Japanese back in like 2015 or 2016 and used a lot advice that I had found on nihongoshark to get started lol. Looking back I definitely had some questionable study methods but I've been living and working in Japan primarily in Japanese for almost 2 years now so it's nostalgic to think about now. Even though it wasn't the most efficient, I had a lot of fun back then with my own paper flash cards and that ended up being more important in the end anyway!

[@japanesewithniko]

Yeah, I definitely changed my views on a lot of things since the NihongoShark days. But I'm glad that that old content still helped a lot of people, even if their paths often ended up being different from what I recommended. It sounds like you're doing great. Happy to hear it! ^_^

[@dwellinj1513]

Enjoyed this and have done all the things you mentioned! 😆 I walked away in frustration for a long time but came back to just tinker in Duplingo without being too serious. It came back to me and now I’m just playing around in it.

[@japanesewithniko]

That's awesome that you came back to it! I think taking it too seriously can add a lot of mental pressure/stress, which can make you more likely to just quit completely. If you check out our Discord community, there are lots of people just playing around in Japanese, like you mentioned. They might know more stuff you'd like along those lines: discord.gg/nativshark

[@Jeijeidayo]

Interesting how this video drops on my feed when im stressing about my lack of kanji and with the JLPT coming up (taking N2). Thank you ✨️

[@japanesewithniko]

It can get really stressful, right? Hang in there! And good luck ^_^

[@Jeijeidayo]

It is. Especially when you lack of it, you lack vocabs. So if vocab is lacking and unknown kanji comes out the reading comprehention section, its a domino effect. The worst kanjis come out the long passages which is 4pts each question. Hopefully to be back here in 3 months an 2 weeks and say 合格しました！ 😂

[@Andwack]

Love this bro! I'm living in Japan now and trying to improve my Japanese as much as possible! :)

[@japanesewithniko]

Glad you enjoyed it, thank you! Good luck with your studies ^_^

[@jellyplasm]

Interesting to hear another perspective. I also finished RTK a long time ago and am constantly forgetting my mnemonics (especially now that the gaps between reviews are so long) but overall it's been really effective and I'm glad that I stuck through it. I also switched to J-J cards as you mentioned and am still going with this, I really enjoy being able to learn a word and feel like I understand it completely independent of English.

[@japanesewithniko]

If you're enjoying J-J flashcards, I don't think it is really a "mistake". I probably wouldn't do it if I were starting over, but it can be fun, and you do discover interesting things along the way. Good luck!

[@UNEWS_ANIMATIONS]

great advice, thanks

[@japanesewithniko]

Glad it was helpful! And thank you for commenting ^_^

[@ffsmma]

Great video! I just started my own journey learning Japanese yesterday.

[@japanesewithniko]

Great timing, then! Best of luck in your Japanese learning journey ^_^ If you want to check out NativShark (I'm a founder), it is perfect for someone who is just starting and needs to set up a long-term learning plan, which is why I feel compelled to mention it. We don't have a level placement test yet, so it can be kind of a hassle for high-level learners to reach content appropriate for their level. People do it, but the user experience is a little rough in the initial days and weeks when you're already advanced. Anyway, like I said, best of luck in your study journey! You will probably feel overwhelmed with all the options out there. But I don't think it matters all that much about what you choose to study now. What matters is setting up a routine and sticking to it long-term. Thanks for commenting!

[@ffsmma]

@@japanesewithniko Thank you, I will definitely take a look at it.

[@tinymusicalfan3187]

great video!!

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you! ^_^

[@hirori2935]

Thank you for this video! I'm making some of the same mistakes now haha. This is great, I'll do my best to continue studying and avoiding these mistakes

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm glad you found it helpful, thank you. Good luck on your learning journey!

[@hirori2935]

@@japanesewithniko Thank you so much!

[@angelicamonique8328]

Thank you for sharing this.

[@japanesewithniko]

Thanks for listening ^_^

[@anavofficial6934]

your voice is so calming to listen to 😅🎉. I am starting Japanese self learning (- using English as 2nd language, i am native Vietnamese). Hopelly, I am gonna stick to it till fluently speaking lol

[@japanesewithniko]

I'm glad you find my voice to be calming. ^_^ My wife and I stayed in Vietnam for a few months back in 2015. I miss it and want to go back someday. Next time I go, I'll try to learn more of the language! Thank you for commenting!

[@JessePFitzgerald]

So many guides and comments are based around min-maxing everything. Thanks for chiming in with an experience that isn't that.

[@japanesewithniko]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for commenting ^_^

[@DragTheQueenToHell]

I enjoyed how wholesome your video was! You reminded me about the reason I started learning Japanese - Because it's fun. I was so focused on achieving a certain standard, that although I made absurdly fast progress, I forgot to enjoy myself along the way. Don't give up if you aren't reaching the "standard" you set for yourself, just have fun. I've gone off the deep end once from my obsession over learning Japanese, it actually became self-destructive. I didn't have any responsibilities at the time and so I got into this crazy Uberman sleep schedule; all I did was study Japanese using Tae Kim's Guide to Learning Japanese, WaniKani, Anki, JapanesePod101, and HelloTalk. For a month straight, I did nothing but; Minimum Basic Needs (maybe every second or third day... at best lol), Study, Sleep Study, Sleep, Study... When I slept, It would only be around 20 minutes and then I'd be back to obsessing over Japanese, I was in zombie mode for the entire month. The result? I was wrecked and did learn a shit ton but I was literally a zombie. I stopped eventually and slept the entire day and just got back into my normal life. Still got 'em eye bags tho. A bit more explanation for the batshit crazy story: I have a high functioning autism disorder (Aspergers), and one of the traits is a really strong obsession over stuff you find interesting, which in severe cases leads to this. (SEVERE cases)

[@japanesewithniko]

Wow, that sounds intense. I have a tendency to get obsessed about some new thing I'm learning, put lots of hours into it, and then burn out... but certainly never to this level. Now I try my best to think carefully about if I want to commit long-term to a new learning pursuit, then set up a routine to make it sustainable long-term. But even then, I often just give in and study a bunch, then get tired of it and burn out lol. Please try to watch your health, if at all possible! Best of luck in your future studies. ^_^

[@N3r3kl4m0uk]

Thank you for this video. I've been learning for 2 years and im gonna start n3 and i feel super anixous because all the content is about people rushing 0 to n1 in 1 year :)

[@japanesewithniko]

Glad it was helpful! I agree it can be discouraging to see someone make such fast progress. And even if they are an outlier, it makes you wonder why you're not learning that fast. But I think the reliable way to set yourself apart as a person who "succeeds" at learning Japanese (whatever that means to the person in question) is to stick with it consistently, long-term. Good luck on your Japanese-learning journey! ^_^

[@plebisMaximus]

That voice in your head can be extremely dominant. I've quit twice in the past and right now, every time I open up Anki to drill some vocab or I go to pay for a lesson with my tutor, I consider quitting again. All those doubts about whether I'll even use it, that I'm not smart enough for it anyway, that it's too much time, etc. Doing my best to stick with it this time though, regardless of all the doubt. It was great to hear I'm not alone in this, nearly every other language learning video I've watched makes it sound like it's a quick and easy process that's never hard to get through at any point, good to see there are still humans on earth lol.

[@japanesewithniko]

To be fair, Anki and other SRS can be so depressing, especially if you take your reviews too seriously. Coming to accept that it's often fine to just spam "Good" on flashcards was an important part in my language learning journey. Anyway, hang in there! It does get better.

[@jeonsago]

You're super pleasant to listen to, and I like how concise you are! Hope you do a video on your mistakes with Japanese pronunciation too. Happy to hear your approach to learning kanji by sentences is what worked! I had a similar tumble with kanji very early, but I fast tracked through everything you did and quit lol. Eventually I found incorporating sentences in anki flash cards, like you did, and they seem to stick much better. I used ChatGPT 4 to generate sentences for each of the words in a list based on the most frequent words used in Japanese, with the sentences in romaji and english translated as well. It gives very good results IMO, not broken google translate japanese. Then I processed all the sentences through googles text to voice to get matching audio. Then I made them importable in anki and made my deck that way. I'm not sure if I recreated something there's already a ton of though, but I didn't find something that suited me on a cursory search. So let me know if anyone is interested.

[@japanesewithniko]

Thanks for the comment! A video on pronunciation mistakes would be fun. I have some embarrassing stories regarding pronunciation! I like that you're working to design a custom method of studying that is unique to you. Please do be careful with AI-generated Japanese sentences, however. Even if the sentences are grammatically "accurate", they will often be unnatural, particularly when it comes to spoken language. This isn't a big deal if you are also supplementing with lots of native Japanese materials (ideally not created for learners of Japanese, as the content often has the same issues). I had Anki decks with thousands and thousands of stiff sentences you wouldn't hear in daily speech, so I did have a lot of re-learning to do once I got exposure to natural spoken Japanese. But the time I spent learning all those sentences was not a waste (just a bit inefficient), and I enjoyed a lot of it. One of the big challenges in learning Japanese is getting someone to teach you how people actually talk. Over at NativShark, I can't count how many freelance writers over the years we've had to stop working with because they simply could not write everyday spoken Japanese naturally, even though they were native speakers (but they were fine with written/stiff language, much like ChatGPT4 often would be). Good luck with everything! And please don't take my comment to mean that you should stop. If you're enjoying this study method, you can always fill in these gaps later. No big deal. It just adds a bit of time to the speed at which you progress.

[@souliersdewaffles]

I just recently started studying Japanese. I've learned another language (French) to fluency and it took me about 8 years. Refreshing to see someone giving a realistic timeline for language learning. Also as a side note, you have a very calming way of speaking.

[@japanesewithniko]

Thanks for commenting! And congratulations on learning French! I'd love to learn it someday.

[@investmentkage]

Thank you for this. I am currently learning Hagana and I’m having fun with it. I’m also just listening to a lot of Japanese music just to immerse myself in the language. I just started lol

[@japanesewithniko]

Sounds like a fun way to start. I hope you are enjoying yourself! There are quite a few people in our discord community ( discord.gg/nativshark ) who are into Japanese music. They might be able to give you some recommendations.

[@user-vp4wf2pz6d]

I would like to know what kind of music you listen to, just for reference.

[@languagewhorder]

I've only been studying Japanese for 5 months and I am definitely in the "can I really ever learn this" stage. Thank you so much for sharing your journey and encouraging us to not give up.

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you for the comment. And happy to help! I'm glad you got value from the video ^_^

[@naofg]

I've tried starting to learn Japanese loads of times in the past decade or so, but I never stuck to it. For the other languages I've learned I had lessons with a teacher at least to get the basics of it before I started learning much more by myself, so I find it really hard to get this start to Japanese without a schedule imposed by someone else, and an instructor. Still, since I started taking ADHD meds a few months ago, I've been meaning to try again. I think that now that I have this tool to help me focus I have a bigger chance of succeeding, but still I've been putting it off. This video really inspired me! I want to learn AND I want to have fun doing it. Thanks for the reminder, and for the tips on what not to do.

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you for commenting! I don't have ADHD, but I am very impulsive, so I have a hard time sticking to one thing. In my mind, I've often thought of it as "Shiny Butterfly Syndrome" lol. I find something that sounds so exciting and interesting that the thing I was working on seems so dull and boring. As a result, I've had trouble sticking with any big learning project. Things that helped: getting a consistent routine that involved studying which I loved and was the highlight of my day, doing stuff I actually enjoyed while studying and avoiding the opposite (e.g. not treating flashcard reviews like a test), not worry about my speed of progress and instead trying to enjoy the journey. Anyway, I hope this helps a bit. Good luck!

[@naofg]

@@japanesewithniko Thank you! 'll try following your tips. I'm pretty determined this time around. And yeah, I feel the same: usually I'm excited in the beginning, but once that wears off I want to move on to something new.

[@philipdavis7521]

Thanks for the nice calm advice. After 1000+ hours of Japanese I still feel I'm getting nowhere, even though some part of me knows I'm doing the right thing. The big problem of course is the vast amount of bad advice out there on language learning (much of it given by teachers, unaware that structured classes aren't the only way, or even the best way, to learn a language). Although I have my frustrations with parts of it, Nativshark I think is the best online Japanese course out there, its good to know how much thought was put into it.

[@japanesewithniko]

There really is a lot of bad and conflicting advice out there. It is very confusing/overwhelming. Happy to hear you're getting a lot out of NativShark. It's certainly not for everyone, but for some of us, it really is the best. Good luck with your studies! And thanks for commenting ^_^

[@Eudaimonia239]

Great advice I am currently learning korean, but I plan to learn japanese afterwards. I agree about confidence and enjoying the process, patience is also important.

[@japanesewithniko]

I want to learn Korean too! I have started and stopped a few times but have never given it a serious attempt. I keep getting distracted by other things. Also, I wish Korean had kanji. It's so hard to figure out which words are which. Or rather, I wish they'd kept Hanja.

[@anna8282]

​@@japanesewithniko I'm really happy they didn't, because kanji is the reason why my Japanese has never advanced from basic everyday level, I switched to Korean and am actually getting somewhere. Wasting years on learning to just read and write is a no go for me.

[@slowmarchingband1]

Glad this recommendation came up. I feel better about my slow learning speed now.

[@japanesewithniko]

Thank you! I'm glad you found value from it

[@KENTOSI]

This hits home in so many ways, though my process was a little different. The anki revision hell and over-focusing on learning kanji: been there, done that :-) My ultimate embarrassment was hiding behind reading Japanese so much that I ended up reading advanced books like Harry Potter and fantasy novels, but could never understand spoken Japanese, let alone hold a conversation. After 6 years I ultimately gave up with career being my excuse. This was 3 years ago. I've recently restarted Japanese with a stubborn focus on audio so that I can understand conversations, listen to podcasts, watch movies, etc. Wish me luck :-)

[@japanesewithniko]

I mean, if you were successfully reading Harry Potter and stuff, that is seriously impressive. I think the listening comprehension will come quickly with some practice if you have a solid foundation like that. Good luck moving forward! And thank you for commenting ^_^

[@yaoiloverstudio]

That's such a good video! I started learning Hiragana 2 days ago (still only halfway through) and want to do Katakana next, then get some grammar in and then start Anki so I can phrase my sentences with the vocab I learn. In the comments there's many claiming to have learned everything within 2-7 days and I'm over here taking my time. I don't wanna stress myself needlessly. The reason as to why I didn't start sooner is honestly bc I could never make up my mind if I either learn Korean or Japanese first and ended up learning neither 😕 You just gotta start somewhere. Anyways I wish all of us good luck in our studies! Btw English is my second language and you just taught me a new phrase "learn something by rote", never heard rote before 😊 Learning should be an organic process and I plan on doing the same for Japanese.

[@japanesewithniko]

It's not commonly done, but you could even just skip learning kana "first" and instead print out a sheet of all the hiragana and katakana (I made one here: www.niko.blog/kana/ ), then just reference it whenever you forget one or don't know it. Anyway, good luck! It sounds like you're on your way to becoming trilingual! ^_^

[@yaoiloverstudio]

@@japanesewithniko That's good to know, thank you for sharing! The link didn't work but I typed it into Google 😊 I'm all done with Hiragana btw and they're surprisingly easy to remember since I've been reading through Japanese video titles and articles (with the goal of reading not understanding yet). Katakana seems really challenging to me since I gotta remember the same letters but different characters so your cheat sheet will be of great help! Lastly thank you very much, I sure hope so! So far it's amazing to see the results of just being able to read some sentences out loud ^-^

[@Xubuntu47]

6:58 "You'll learn it. Just have some faith." I really needed to hear that. My Japanese journey has been long and convoluted, with lots of frustration and seemingly little progress. I have had thoughts of quitting, but maybe I'll hang in there a while, and try to enjoy the journey without worrying so much about some end goal.

[@japanesewithniko]

Please do hang in there. And it will indeed be hard to do so if you're not enjoying the journey and instead worrying about how much progress you're making and at what speed. ​Good luck with your studies! Feel free to reach out if you hit any speed bumps along the way. ^_^

[@sethh8798]

Same thing almost has happened to me with German. I'm approaching the end of my third year studying and only just became B1 because I truly had no idea how to study. I've made more progress in the past 6 months than I have in almost 3 years because I stopped doubting myself so much and diversifying my inputs.

[@japanesewithniko]

Hey, at least you found something that worked eventually. Congrats on sticking it out this long! I want to learn German someday... Thanks for commenting ^_^