I’m making this study log so I can keep myself motivated and to be consistent. I think having a public log will force me to stay on track with my goals.
About Me and My Background
I am a university student that is majoring in Japanese. However, I am a bit dissatisfied with some of the coursework, and the grammar covered. The textbooks used at my university don’t go past Genki II, and after that, textbooks and grammar are not really covered in classes. I have been studying Japanese since late 2020.
Right now I would place myself around mid-N3, however, I have never been able to take the JLPT due to it’s test date conflicting with my University’s finals week. Although, I do plan to take the N2 in December.
I studied in a smaller city in Japan last summer (2023), and I will be studying in Kyoto starting this coming March. I would love to feel more confident while traveling Japan, and I know leveling up my Japanese would help (although it won’t be the full solution, the metros are a beast of their own. . . )
Goals
1.) Pass the JLPT N1
2.) Complete WaniKani
3.) Be able to have a conversation with a native speaker about a complex topic (thoughts on education systems, sustainability, linguistics, etc.)
4.) Be able to read Japanese Books, Manga, and Magazines with ease.
5.) Live in Japan for a couple years
Resources
Genki I and II (completed about a year ago)
Quartet I and II (still working through them)
N3 Soumatome (Vocab, listening, reading, and gramamar)
Various youth books and manga that I bought while in Japan (e.x なぜ？どうして？３年生、ドラえもん、よつばと！)
-WaniKani
-Italki
-Anki
-Knowt
-Japanese-speaking friends
-日本語で働く！ (a business Japanese textbook)
Always nice to see more people, especially with their own goals and aspirations of using the language outside just completing wanikani wanting to practice output is much rarer on these forums than you’d think, so really interested to see what kinda stuff you end up liking for practicing that!
At around an N3 level for reading, you should be probably just about ready to jump into either the Absolute Beginner Book Club or the Beginner Book club, and the later are just about to start a new book. Great time to check them out! Especially with how many resources they provide for new(er) readers, they are a great way to start learning how to read more comfortably.
If that’s not your speed, have you check out natively before? It’s a great site for finding new material that’s more level appropriate, instead of accidentally jumping into something that’s way over your head without knowing it
Anyways, welcome again! Looking forward to your updates
Welcome! Sounds like you found the right place, having a log has really boosted my pace, due to finding so much inspiration here, resources, and emulation.
You could consider joining our Study group we are in Chapter 5, starting Chapter 6 in a bit less than 2 weeks.
I spent most of my time studying today reviewing vocabulary, and kanji. I am working on memorizing how to write kanji, as most of the kanji I see in the Quartet textbooks I can read, but can’t remember the stroke order.
I also am working on the writing assignment in Chapter 5 of the quartet. I will be sure to review it with my Italki tutor on Thursday. I’m planning on finishing this chapter Friday and moving onto chapter six at the start of next week. I would like to practice cooking with a Japanese recipe this week too. I’ll be browsing some of my magazines to find a recipe that looks simple enough.
Goals for tomorrow:
make grammar review flashcards for quartet chapters 1 and 5
listen to an episode of a Japanese podcast (maybe while working out )
I’ll definitely check out natively once I catch up on my Japanese TBR.
I have quite a few manga and low-level kids “chapter books” I need to get through right now. When I was in Japan over the summer, I bought so many books, but I haven’t had the time to read them all yet
Today was definitely successful in terms of studying.
I caught up on all of my wanikani reviews. I also unlocked the remaining kanji in level 22, and completed the lessons. Hopefully I can level up soon. I also reviewed chapter 5 kanji from Quartet I. I am hoping to become better at recalling stroke order for post-Genki kanji.
In terms of listening, I listened to several of the narrations on OTO Navi for Quartet I without referencing the text it accompanies. I also started watching a Japanese drama called 星降る夜に on Viki. Currently I’m watching it with English subtitles. Once I finish, I’ll rewatch it again with Japanese subtitles so I can do some vocab and grammar mining.
I also wrote the prompt for chapter 5 of Quartet. I sent it to my Italki tutor, and we’ll discuss it tomorrow during our lesson. I’ll post it later.
Overall, today was pretty good.
Goals for tomorrow:
Wanikani reviews
100 anki reviews
Italki lesson
Quartet grammar review
Watch some more of the drama
Quartet listening section
Well, that’s my recap of today. See you guys tomorrow!
Well, studying over the weekend didn’t really go as planned. I got sick, but at least I’m better now.
Today I finished up the grammar practice, reviewed the chapter, and added the grammar points to my Anki deck for chapter 5 of the quartet. I’m going to move onto chapter six, but still be reviewing the previous chapter.
I also started watching 俺のかわいいはもうすぐ諸費期限？！ I decided to use Japanese subtitles, to help my listening practice (something I am very weak with). I can understand about 70 - 75% of what is being said, which I am quite proud of. The drama itself is kind of weird, but enjoyable.
I also tried a bit with one of my good Japanese friends. It’s always nice to practice using really casual Japanese since I don’t get to use it too often in my classes or during my tutoring sessions.
I’ve also made a really big dent on my backed up Anki reviews. I had about 700 cards on my N3 Anki deck, and I’ve worked my way down to just over 200 (which is still a lot, but way better than 700. . . )
I feel today has been productive, and I’m looking g forward to seeing what tomorrow brings.
I haven’t done too much today study wise. I leveled up on wanikani, so I’m working on the new lessons and reviews. I also started chapter six of the quartet, so I’ve been working on committing the grammar to memory and memorizing the new vocab.
It’s been a while . . . but I promise I have been studying.
I was actually in Japan from March until mid-August. So I definitely did some studying.
I’ll provide more updates on my studies starting now:
I’m prepping for the N2, so currently I am going through the Kanzen Master grammar book. I’m also finally back on WaniKani, and plan to grind through the levels.
Recently I’ve been reading ふしぎ駄菓子屋：銭天堂. It’s a really cute children’s novel series that was supposedly made into a TV show by the NHK.
I’ve also been working through a vocabulary N2 prep book. I started unit 2 today. I also plan to start focusing more on grammar starting tomorrow. I’ve been spending a lot of time on kanji, vocab and reading recently.
I’ve also been practicing my speaking with my tutor on iTalki and some of my Japanese friends.
My goals for tomorrow:
do all of my wanikani reviews
make flashcards for 10 grammar points I have reviewed
finish my anki reviews
read 1 chapter of ふしぎ駄菓子屋：銭天堂
Do one hour of passive listening while doing chores
Do one N2 listening prep section in my book
I’m shooting for a lot tomorrow, but I hope I can accomplish it. . .lol
Does anyone have any suggestions for Japanese podcasts? I’m trying to find some fun, not Japanese language-learner specific stuff to listen to!
I’ve been extremely busy since my last semester of university is really picking up steam. Who would’ve guessed prepping for the N2, writing a graduation capstone, and working two jobs would take up so much time?
This week, I didn’t do much other than review kanji and vocab, and starting working through the 総まとめ 新にほんご５００問 N2 level prep book.
In order to have time to review everything I need to this week, I’ve decided to work ahead this weekend and prepare my weekly vocab and grammar flashcards.
Goals for this week:
review 30 grammar points
finish all of my premade vocab cards
level up in Wanikani
finish week 3 of the prep book
listen to one podcast a day (I’m really enjoying ゆゆの日本語ポッドキャスト- at least that’s what I think it’s called lol)
I might be overshooting since I do have a test this week, and I need to research a fair amount for my capstone, but a girl can dream!
As a personal goal, I want to work out four times this week! I found that although it makes me super tired, I can concentrate easier and fall asleep faster if I work out. I plan to swim at least twice (aiming for 6,000 meters) and hit the gym twice!
wanting to practice output is much rarer on these forums than you’d think, so really interested to see what kinda stuff you end up liking for practicing that!
