I’m 68 and don’t feel old either, although last year’s “tandem” course with a bunch of Japanese college students who were learning German, was interesting.
These days, I don’t know a darn thing about current anime or manga, though as a teenager I liked “Speed Racer” (an anime dubbed in English and shown in the US in the early 1970s) and I once bought a manga in the early 1980s, back when they were difficult to get. In both cases, I liked the style of the pictures.
I don’t know if you will read this, because it’s a full day after your comment. I went to 4 or 5 Japanese classes as a kid before I rebelled and never went back. My parents tried bribery, but my siblings and I were already older and the other kids knew some Japanese and we didn’t. When I got older I met people who had an enormous advantage in learning the language because they had gone to Japanese school. So, like you, I pursued other things and never learned much Japanese. I am in Japan now and one advantage I have found about being a heritage learner is that Japanese people speak to me in Japanese, often very rapidly. Teachers also have a positive expectation that I will do well. I am older than you and you are absolutely right about having more time after retirement. So, although I’m sorry I waited I wish I had done a little bit of study when I was your age.
Thanks for sharing! I’m actually currently in Japan, and will be spending more time here because I have aging parents who have recently returned to live here after many years in the U.S. I’m not retired, but take on project work which allows me more time to study, but not limitless time. And I’m glad to hear that you have an encouraging teacher. Though tbh, I find when people just speak to me in rapid Japanese because they assume I’m a local/fluent, I barely understand what they’re saying! It’s all good though. My attitude these days is just not to get too stressed about it. I think more grammar and speaking practice will help. Hope you’re having a good time in the homeland!
11 days later. I reached level 6. It’s starting to get harder and longer each level now.
I’m currently rewatching ‘First Love’ drama with japanese subtitles. Even though I watch this japanese drama 3 years ago with english subtitles, I feel like I forgot everything about the story. So it feels like I’m watching it the first time.
8 days later, I reached level 7. I’ve been using wanikani for almost 2 months now.