I realised long ago that Wanikani really is just a small piece of the puzzle. I started on MaruMori recently, alebit started deep into it, to try and improve my grammar. And I’ve been using Language Reactor to watch anime on Netflix.
I think I’m resigned though to never really being that good at Japanese simply because I don’t live there so my chances to really imerse myself in the language will always be fleeting. Still, I can at least read (some) manga now and even understand (some) anime without subs now. Which is something, but my goodness this language really is difficult to learn. Its fearsome reputation is justified.
Same for here, I have 7205 burned. And very much prioritized kanji learning, but I do think Wanikani is good at teaching vocabulary too.
I tried Bunpro for a while. I didn’t jive with it that much, I thought it was too easy to cheat (you can see the correct answer after giving a wrong answer but before submitting your answer?) so the learning never really stuck. Maybe I can go back now with some more discipline.
Sometimes I think, what if I spent all this time learning German or something, I’d be fluent by now. Most languages seems easy to learn in comparison.
I think not being stressed about not being the best is a good attitude. By applying it where we the interests lie (manga and anime for example) you start filling in the knowledge gaps that are relevant. Feels like that should make the learning more approachable.
It’s actually similar to getting a black belt. Black belt（初段）in many Japanese martial arts means you mastered the basics but there’s a long road ahead for true mastery.
The thing is I feel its because of kanji that i can remember the words. If i had to learn a language that had the same alphabet as language i don’t know how i would remember all the words.
Same with getting to grade 8 in music which can take 8 years for most people. reaching grade 8 is the basic level if you want to begin a musical career.
The みんなの日本語 series is really good. What I like about it is that whole chunks of hiragana all of a sudden become meaningful. (Like, oh that’s just the conditional form in past tense etc). Also, I have found it helps with the WK reviews and study. When you see a “new” verb and realise, hey this is just the passive form of another verb you already know it makes the task easier and more enjoyable.
I have covered all the N5 grammar and am about 60% through N4 grammar. I don’t remember big parts of it but when I hear or read something enough it prompts me to go back and cover that lesson again and then it sinks in.
Level 60 appears almost godlike from where I am right now so props to you.
First and Foremost - Congratulations on your level 60! It’s something to be both happy and proud of.
Now you have all the more reason to get out there and use what you’ve learned from Wanikani, not just to solidify the knowledge you’ve attained, but to improve in your Japanese in general - not to mention being able to enjoy (and understand!) things you might not otherwise have would previous, such as manga, books, anime etc.
What you make of Japanese after Wanikani is truly up to you - so try and find something you enjoy with your newly acquired Vocab/Kanji skills.
So true, WK great tool but takes a lot of time and there is the risk of not doing other stuff. I am level 28 and things are getting saucy… I am forcing myself to do some reading and listening, a lot of satori and some bunpro. People out there, don’t let WK take all your japanese study time.
