᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃
study timeline
how I learned Japanese (so far)
᠃ ⚘᠂ ⚘ ˚ ⚘ ᠂ ⚘ ᠃
2016
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I teach myself Hiragana and Katakana.
I take my first semester of Elementary Japanese.
I start Genki 1.
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2017
・
冬
A music group is looking for folks who can give speeches in Japanese.
I can’t speak Japanese, but I took one semester.
I apply to give speeches about my culture in Japan.
I visit Japan for the first time ever (for free!).
I recite my speech to many audiences, though I cannot really understand it.
春
I return and take my second semester of Japanese.
I finish Genki 1.
夏
I apply to study abroad in Japan.
I am accepted!
秋・冬
I study abroad for 5 months.
I make friends and learn tea ceremony 
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2018
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I take a break from Japanese classes because I need to get my degree 
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2019
・
冬
I download Wanikani but am insanely busy + have no life consistency, so I barely do two levels.
Some of my Japanese friends study at my school.
秋
I take my 3rd semester of Japanese.
I start Genki 2.
I apply for the JET Programme.
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2020
・
I get into the JET Programme!
I start my 4th semester of Japanese.
We all get sent home because コロナ
The JET program is delayed.
I am lost in a slump for months.
I feel very guilty about not studying Japanese when I am moving to Japan.
I sign up for a lesson with an online tutor (Italki) to try and get some outside motivation.
I start going to conversation practice sessions once a week.
My tutor and I start going through the free intermediate Japanese course that comes with the Jet Programme.
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2021
・
冬
The JET Programme is still delayed. I am sad!
春
I continue lessons with my tutor.
I restart Wanikani with seriousness.
秋
I get my assignment and date of departure to Japan.
I move to Japan!
冬
I live in Japan!
I start adjusting to life and take a break from tutoring while I figure things out.
Tutoring has helped significantly. From the first day I can chat with regular folks at a bar.
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2022
・
冬
I decide it feels ridiculous that I’ve ‘studied Japanese’ for 6 years and don’t feel like I could pass the N4. I sign up for the N4 and get serious about studying with my tutor.
I complete Genki 2.
I complete Kanzen Master N4 Grammar, Reading, and Vocabulary.
I start going on weekend trips once a month where only Japanese is spoken.
夏
I take the JLPT N4 (I pass!).
秋
I continue with 2 tutors on Italki.
I start to understand what my friends are saying on the monthly trips.
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2023
・
冬
I decide to move back home for various reasons.
I travel, have fun, and pack up.
I still have tutoring every week.
春
I move back home.
I am lost!
I study Japanese for fun, with less ferocity.
夏
I work a temporary job in film and decide it is not my cup of tea.
I am applying to many jobs.
‘Conversational Japanese’ is on my resume.
Many Japanese recruiters find me and we have phone interviews in Japanese.
I want to work in a creative field so there’s not much they have for me, but they keep my name.
冬
I get a job in the service industry to make ends meet.
I decide I want to get real good at Japanese, so maybe one day I can work in interpretation.
I look up language school, it’s $$$.
I decide to study on my own while I work minimum wage for a while.
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2024
・
冬
I decide to take the N3 in December.
I have not stopped weekly sessions with my tutor.
A Japanese recruiter calls me, a job has opened up in my area.
I send in my resume.
They call me in for an interview.
I am scared!
I prepare with my tutor and my bff in Japan.
I have one interview (entirely in Japanese).
I leave and expect nothing.
I am called for a second interview (entirely in Japanese).
I leave and expect nothing.
The company calls. They like me but I can’t read! They are thinking about their options.
I expect nothing and keep studying.
春
I go on vacation.
I get a call on vacation. I got the job! I start at once.
I am so scared. I come up with a deeply serious study plan so I can do my coworkers justice.
I start seriously with Anki.
I continue seriously with Wanikani.
夏
I start JLPT N3 prep.
I go through Kanzen Master N3 Grammar, Reading, Vocabulary.
I listen to a lot of podcasts.
Tutoring never stops.
I speak mostly Japanese at work.
冬
I take the JLPT N3 (I pass!)
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2025
・
冬
Weekly tutoring sessions still going strong.
I continue with Wanikani and Anki.
I start reading my first novel in Japanese.
I start Kanzen N2 Grammar.