Average level completion rate? And possible goals

[rwesterhof]

Note that there is a difference between studying grammar and familiarizing yourself with some key concepts of the grammar. I’m in pretty much the same boat, but started on some of the grammar anyway, because I got annoyed at the fact that I was learning verbs but had no idea how to actually use them.

Concepts like ichidan/godan for verbs and whether a noun is a -な adjective have gotten me to pay more attention to some of the other information that is provided when learning vocab. Stuff that I was ignoring up to that point.

My advice is to go ahead and start, albeit not with the intention of memorizing everything right off the bat - note that the reason Tofugu gives for waiting is that once you recognise more words, you’ll have an easier time with context sentences and practice. I do intend to hold off on the serious studying until I’ve gotten a firmer grip on my reading.

[jerseytom]

@DocDB

To everyone’s experience, do you agree with Tofugu’s suggestion to wait until level 10 here to really buckle down on learning grammar?

I only found WK after almost a full year of studying Japanese, so you can do whatever.

With regard to pace… if you can get some study time in twice a day every day, I think that ~8 days a level is really pretty manageable. I do roughly 6-7am and 6-7pm, somewhere in those windows, and can hit things pretty consistently when they come up. I only take new lessons when I know I’ll have time 4 hours later when they come up for the first time. I really think getting that first review on time helps a lot with retention.

[elynchbell]

@DocDB

As far as goals: To everyone’s experience, do you agree with Tofugu’s suggestion to wait until level 10 here to really buckle down on learning grammar? I’ve read some intro stuff in Tae Kim’s guide but have mostly been putting it off.

This is nonsense. there is no reason not to start grammar straight away. Tae Kim can be a bit impenetrable as a learning resource (great reference though).

Try the Cure dolly Videos on You tube or the Apps LingoDeer or Human Japanese.

[Duckretainer]

I’m in the same boat. I’ve been studying mostly the spoken language with a Tutor though Italki, Pimsleur app, Memrise, and Human Japanese app for 2 years. I still feel like a beginner even though I’ve been studying pretty much every day for 2 years. Study whatever seems interesting to you in whatever format works well for you. If it feels like a chore try a different method. I just started WaniKani a month or so ago and really like it since I haven’t really focused on Kanji yet.

[Duckretainer]

I really liked human Japanese when I first started. It explains Grammer and sentence structure in a very relatable way.

[l_l]

I watched a Cure Dolly video, but I didn’t like it much. I’d recommend Japanese Ammo instead.

[ufgators]

I have an online tutor here in Japan from a company that is a well known language school. Its kinda expensive but its an average amount here for Japan as a language school in comparison with others. If you feel you need better structure to progress let me know. I’ve been with them about 3 months and my speaking and grammar has improved exponentially.

[DocDB]

Just want to say I appreciate your username. I graduated from that school!

[UInt2048]

@DocDB

To everyone’s experience, do you agree with Tofugu’s suggestion to wait until level 10 here to really buckle down on learning grammar?

I think they suggested it so that you would get into a routine you would stick to. If you find a grammar resource that you will continue with and use, by all means start now.

You will regret not doing grammar when you end up at Level 21 and have to learn what だが is in order to understand だが断る (But I refuse.)

[rever4217]

I’m surprised no one’s recommended it yet, but you sound like someone who definitely needs to read the beginner’s guide. Much about using wanikani is learning how wanikani itself works. If you make your schedule 9am, 1pm, 9pm everyday for example you can level up in 7 days, which is the fastest possible.
My Journey of 368 days (+ The Ultimate Guide for WK 📖 )

[shandyman]

I’m also living Japan and looking for a tutor. What company do you use? My last experience with an online tutor, about a month ago now, was less than satisfactory. Some teachers just refuse to type in kanji. I tell them I know the kanji, please write it, but they insist on romaji like we gaijin could never really learn

[UInt2048]

Honestly, that should be linked before you can make a non-Campfire topic.

[rever4217]

wait, romaji? Not even kana?

@JapanStar49

Honestly, that should be linked before you can make a non-Campfire topic.

Yeah that would be great. We’re seeing heaps of these threads where if they just read the guide it would answer pretty much all their questions.

[shandyman]

Yeah I’ve had that happen with multiple teachers both online and in person. Ive used minna no nihongo from day 1 which is 100% japanese. It’s like…come on…romaji is the worst thing you can do to yourself.

[rever4217]

yeah farout, it should be your first thing to get out of romaji asap.

[ufgators]

I use human academy. So far its been amazing for me at least. You can take a look and if you have questions about how they do things let me know. https://hajl.athuman.com/lp/online/
That is a link for the specific online class information. You can also just google them and see the main site as well. It works for me because I work in a rural area of Japan and dont have access to a language company for in person lessons. This one feels the closes to that environment online.

[ufgators]

The textbook you would use has no romaji. Its all hiragana, katakana and kanji.

[jbasket]

If you complete your levels at around 13 days/level, don’t worry just join the plebs in the back like me. It’s all good man.

[UInt2048]

You’re not alone. And hey, you’re still learning faster than a native speaker does!