I think this is the first video I watched that didn’t encourage taking classes. I felt relieved a little because I took some online Japanese classes and I was so bored. It also didn’t help that I was busy and didn’t have energy when I came to class. I think classes work for some people but not all. Especially if it was at a bad time and you’re in the wrong headspace. Anyway, I really appreciate this video! Keep up the good work Yuki-san!!
Yes being bored is definitely one aspect of it! It's infinitely better to find a method, time and place that suit you. Thank you for watching and leaving a nice comment :D
I agree with you that self-learning a new language allows you 100% self-control and 100% responsibility. With that being said, Immersive Translate is a great way you can self-learn a new language. I personally use it to translate everything from webpages to documents, and even use it to watch my shows and movies on Netflix every day, which has been really helpful in my language learning journey so far.
Awww your comment genuinely made my day :D As a newbie creator this video took me forever to make, really appreciate the kind words ^^ Thank you for being one of my early supporters - I'll get there one day haha!
100% agree with self-learning! I use a spreadsheet and track how much time I spend on listening, vocabulary, grammar etc so I quickly identify which things need more volume. I am learning Japanese too, let's do our best :)
Hello, Yuki! I can tell you are a very organized person :) I would to like to share one of the most important reasons to learn a new language and it is that you can communicate with other people! I can speak english (as a second laguange) and of course, I still make mistakes, I've been able to get a better job, get access to information that it's only in English and also get to know new people. While English is a worldwile language, learning a different one such as French, Chinesse, etc. opens a door to a different culture and for me, that's something priceless. Thanks to that, I am here, watching your video and being able to share a "little" message with you haha. I hope you enjoy your Spanish learning journey! Saludos desde México.
Thanks for sharing this :) English is also my second language. I'd really like to learn another language to the same proficiency so that I can make and enjoy content in that language!
Great and new point to me about setting an impossible goal, certainly that's valuable! I especially like how you said we cant really envision three years. I'd say exactly what managable learning routine one would be able to keep up for years is difficult to envision, but a whole (real) 3 year long goal will be greatly strengthened by an early push, and weaponizes our short-sightedness to become a strength, rather than a weakness for motivation. My want for short term self gratification will lead me to not study at all, in the face of a daunting 2-4 year plan of Japanese study. Like "oh, I'm too tired to even think about that goal," so laziness will prevent me from approaching the subject, despite the fact I possess the strength to study a little, you know? But In reality every year of work is made up of a labor taken up day by day, and it's extremely necessary to build the study method around that fact. Sorry if this point isn't very coherently articulated. 日本語頑張りなさいでね！僕も頑張ります
Wow thank you for taking the time to articulate your thoughts so well! We can all weaponize our desire for instant gratification by setting tangible short-term goals. Well said, 頑張りましょう！
Language learning requires time, discipline and consistent motivation. I was able to learn Japanese to what most would consider fluent within 3.5 - 4 years at roughly 4 hours a day of study averaged throughout that time A big motivater for me was being able to play Japanese old school games and RPGs, import Sega Saturn and obscure Japanese games/media that never got released and consume manga/anime in its native language without reliance on dubious subtitles. If I did not have a cultural appreciation to Japan, I doubt I would have kept up with the discipline. All the wanikani reviews, anki flash cards and other SRS systems, reading death walls of complex kanji for news articles and speaking as much as possible to Japanese people.......yeah I don't think I have it in me to attempt Korean or any form of Chinese, wither it be mandarin or cantonese. 5000+ grueling study hours to be considered 天才に日本語ペラペラ was a massive time sink.
Thank you for sharing your story! Language learning is a massive time commitment indeed. But I hope it's all worth it for you, being able to now speak and use Japanese fluently. You can appreciate the culture you love that much more :D
I honestly don't find learning a new language to be that super exciting unless I have a reason to learn it. What's the a point of learning a foreign language that you probably won't even use for communication purposes. I mean I get it, it may seem cool at first to show off your language skills in front of people, but it's hard to keep track in the long run especially if you're not daily practicing or acquiring new vocabulary. I'd say learning at least a second language is essential and english being a first priority. PS It just also happens that I can speak four languages as part of what I do.
It feels impossible to find people to speak the language with in my life. Japanese is just not something anyone around me is interested in. In fact everyone I have talked to about it is like "Why tf are you even doing that?" I go to the Asian market regularly for groceries, but I'm not gonna assume someone there is Japanese and strike up a conversation with a stranger. It's very discouraging :(
It must be really discouraging when there’s no one around you who shares the same interest or even sees value in what you love! But don’t forget that *internet exists* and now we are able to find our tribe outside of our immediate vicinity, both fellow learners who are keen and native speakers willing to teach. You got this🌈🌈
Hmm. Tend to disagree with your point on language classes. Were you taking classes in country from which you were trying to acquire their language? Immersion is everything.
Absolutely not... immersion has a way to happen, it depends on your level on the language, and what level you are being exposed to when trying talking to a native speaker. If a person moves to another country that they have any knowledge of the language, they are not getting fluent at all if they don't make an effort to learn it. It's the same thing if you recommend to someone to watch something in their target language without any goal. They are not getting better at all at learning that said language.
@@YukiChiu852 in which case, i think its definitely harder. Its quite demoralising not seeing progress. For me, Ive learned languages by jumping in the proverbial deepend. I tend to learn quicker as a fight or flight reaction. I guess its not for everyone but it works for me
sharing a version of your comment that sounds more native to English speakers (hopefully that's helpful): Hey Yuki, I'm a law student in Brazil, nice video. I'm learning English and Japanese at the same time. How long have you been studying law?
I have a question to you regarding your japanese learning journey. How hard is it for you to not confuse Kanji with chinese characters since they can have a very different meaning and function in japanese sentences?
Great question! Kanjis normally have some connection with the Chinese characters, although at times it takes some creativity to make the connection. I don't find it confusing as such, being able to at least guess what a kanji means is really helpful. I think it's a bit like the word "nice" - even if it looks identical, I'd pronounce it differently depending on whether I'm speaking English or French :D
