火・2024年12月31日 It is time! To reflect on my study journey of 2024 and prepare for next year. First: a reflection.
After 8 long years of studying Japanese, this year I made intense, tangible progress.
THINGS I DID THIS YEAR:
Here are some things I’m proud of:
- I was hired as a Japanese interpreter. What amazing, amazing fortune honestly. This is the thing that finally forced my studies into actual consistency. With my job in Japanese, a significant amount of daily life is performed in this language, which has done wonders for progress!
- I took the JLPT N3. I studied hard using the Kanzen series for about 3-4 months before taking the test, plus Anki, plus Wanikani, plus tutoring, plus my job. I don’t know the results yet, and I certainly was not perfect, but I’m proud of myself for sitting the exam and getting through all the sections within time. Drilling reading for this test, specifically, made my reading comprehension and speed improve drastically (there is still a very long way to go). Horray!
- I am at 916 Kanji. At the beginning of this year, I think I was at about 600. I had also stagnated in my WK leveling, and had spent YEARS on levels 9-17. I returned to leveling progress this year! I didn’t make it to level 30, as hoped, but I’m so so happy to be making moves.
- I started using Anki regularly. Day 268 of my streak baybeee (some days I only do like 3 reviews to keep up this streak. for example I am on winter vacation now, and have only done a few reviews each day oops). I have a total of 3077 cards in circulation (about 1538 vocab terms? but also some cards are one-sided). Many of these terms are from the industry-specific list given to me by work, and many are mined from the Kanzen series, daily conversations, etc. I entered every card in my collection by myself, which helped with learning. There are 455 new cards left.
REFLECTION ON 2024 GOALS
Response to the goals I wrote down in August of this year:
- Pass the JLPT N3 in December: Did I pass? IDK! But I took it! Felt kinda pass-y.
- Focus on building vocabulary (Anki) and kanji (Wanikani): yes yes I did hehe.
- Develop a reading practice: debatable. I did make significant progress in reading by going through the Kanzen N3 reading text. This was a vague goal.
- Develop a listening practice: Also debatable. I have to listen hard every day for work. But outside for work, not so much. This is also vaguely-written!
PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE
as titled:
Thus concludes my 2024 reflection. I continue on with my 2025 goals :).