Looking to improve my Japanese, I want to get better :3

[the_randomizer]

So, I've gotten a little rusty with my Japanese language skills, and I've been itching to find ways to improve on it, reading, writing and speaking, so all aspects. What do you suggest for the best ways on improving? Watching anime with subtitles, reading out of kanji learning books? Like, I want to keep getting better, or first of all, get back what I've lost and gotten rust on over the years, I still retain a good portion of my Japanese, but I know I can do better, and can improve. I'm open to all suggestions, thanks

 

[FAST6191]

Most of your list is a shorthand for quasi immersion. Such things demonstrably work, whether they are the most effective or not is a different matter - they are somewhat passive in nature and tend to either fall by the wayside or just not stick as well as they might.

An interesting trick for languages in general I saw some time back, and do myself, is on your own time to narrate as it were your actions. Even something as benign as the start of the day. I need to go to the kitchen, I am going to have cereal, I need to add milk to the shopping list (by the way writing a shopping list in another language is also a good thing), quasi role play as well if you want and "order" your breakfast like you were at a cafe. You can even do it for multiple languages if you have them. If you are travelling somewhere describe things happening, or navigate yourself to places if you decided to take a turn down a given road. It will force you to construct sentences, keep vocabulary in mind (possibly stuff you don't always use as well).

These days I use it more for mechanical/electrical parts to keep the laser eyeball calibrated and updated but flash cards you play with to identify characters (even if it is kana at first) or words and randomly go through a bunch when you have some time. If you want to reward yourself (nice morning square of chocolate or something) then you can.

 

[ClassyDragon]

I'm close friends with a few Japanese students at my university and I can testify that speaking as much Japanese as you can (even if you're unsure that you're correct) with speakers of the language is the best way to improve in that area. This isn't an option for everyone though unfortunately, so I'd also recommend immersing yourself in Japanese media as much as possible.

I've heard an effective method is downloading episodes of anime and Japanese TV shows and listening to them through headphones at any possible moment. You'll be able to pick out words you recognize, and watching the episodes later with subtitles and graphic context will help you learn the words you don't. I also recommend using apps like HelloTalk to talk with native speakers and set up phone calls to practice speaking.

Kanji is it's own beast. There's really no "trick" to learning it other than slaving away at it every single day... Of course, there are certain methods that are better than others. Personally, I find different media to read and over time internalize the most common characters. This means I'm not the best at writing them from memory but I can usually identify them while reading, which is what I need them for mostly anyway.

I also recently bought a visual bilingual dictionary that really helps me personally. If you're more of a visual learner, I'd recommend using something like that to memorize words as opposed to vocabulary lists.

 

[Minox]

I'm close friends with a few Japanese students at my university and I can testify that speaking as much Japanese as you can (even if you're unsure that you're correct) with speakers of the language is the best way to improve in that area.

This works even better if you're of age and can join a drinking party (nomikai) together with a few Japanese people.

 

[the_randomizer]

Sorry the late reply, my brother, parents and I were watching Captain Marvel last night, didn't get home till late, and I also found out Hulu has a treasure trove of anime, subbed. But your suggestions too, are awesome

@Minox, I uh don't really drink, but I do have a few Japanese friends here in the states

 

[Deleted User]

You can also try watching a video explaining something about Japanese while eating breakfast or on the bus. I find Japanese Ammo with Misa to be very good.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSyd8tXJoEJKIXfrwkPdbA

 

[ClassyDragon]

You can also try watching a video explaining something about Japanese while eating breakfast or on the bus. I find Japanese Ammo with Misa to be very good.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBSyd8tXJoEJKIXfrwkPdbA

Yoooooo Misa's videos are amazing, highly recommend them as well

 

[spotanjo3]

So, I've gotten a little rusty with my Japanese language skills, and I've been itching to find ways to improve on it, reading, writing and speaking, so all aspects. What do you suggest for the best ways on improving? Watching anime with subtitles, reading out of kanji learning books? Like, I want to keep getting better, or first of all, get back what I've lost and gotten rust on over the years, I still retain a good portion of my Japanese, but I know I can do better, and can improve. I'm open to all suggestions, thanks

Other suggestion: Have a Japanese friend who is a 100 percent fluent Japanese speaking. So he/she can correct you. Highly recommended!

And I found this site that it said it is one of the most difficult languages to learn. Here: https://www.fluentu.com/blog/japanese/how-to-become-fluent-in-japanese/

 

[the_randomizer]

Other suggestion: Have a Japanese friend who is a 100 percent fluent Japanese speaking. So he/she can correct you. Highly recommended!

And I found this site that it said it is one of the most difficult languages to learn. Here: https://www.fluentu.com/blog/japanese/how-to-become-fluent-in-japanese/

Right, but that's easier said than done, all my native Japanese friends are all, well, in Japan or Australia, not much I can do about that.

 

[spotanjo3]

Right, but that's easier said than done, all my native Japanese friends are all, well, in Japan or Australia, not much I can do about that.

I understand what you mean. Well, I hope you succeed. Have fun with it.

 

[the_randomizer]

I understand what you mean. Well, I hope you succeed. Have fun with it.

I've started watching anime, subbed only, as well as something Duo Lingo and a few other things

 

[zomborg]

To me Fast6191 gave the most sound advice. Walking around and describing the mundane every day things you do. Forming sentences sounds like the best way.
Out of curiosity I wonder if Rosetta stone has a learn Japanese version?

Personally I think it would be more practical to learn Arabic

 

[Dinoduck]

Watching anime is pointless if you want to learn Japanese. I would be better to find a native speaker online.

 

[Cyan]

Do you have any meetup near you?
For example, near my town, there's this one : https://www.meetup.com/fr-FR/parlez-japonais/

 

[Tsukimori]

While it's not an option in every situation, watching anime/drama/news with Japanese subtitles rather than subtitles in your native language or English makes for a more immersive and more effective learning tool, especially if you only have access to passive learning. Analyzing how the language operates from within the language and also tuning your listening and reading speed skills is a good value proposition to me.