What else do I do?

Japanese Language
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I’ve gotten to level 4. :slight_smile: but now what? I’m learning new words but when I read the sentences that are included in the examples sometimes I don’t even see the new word in the sentence. I plan to visit Japan with my family in 4 years and thought it would be nice to be able to be more than a tourist and have the ability to communicate while there. It’s great learning something new but what else do I need to be doing to be able to use the words I’m using? Other than the random “Oh! I know what that says!!!” while watching anime. Suggestions please! :slight_smile:

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Grammar, grammar and grammar. There are loads of resources for grammar online, Tae Kim’s guide, wasabi, tons of stuff on YouTube (Cure Dolly, Japanese Ammo with Misa). Or you can grab a textbook like Genki. I just bought the Basic Dictionary of Japanese Grammar and I can already see that it will be super useful.

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I’d say 4 years if plenty of time to reach almost fluency, that is, if you have lots of time on you hands.
With time you will be able to indentify words in the sentences, the more words you learn, the easier it will be.
I’d definitely recommend getting started with grammar, it doesn’t have to right away, maybe when you know a bit more vocab but knowing grammar structures should be a great help to reading and speaking Japanese and using the words you learn here in WaniKani.

Edit: And welcome to the WaniKani community!!!

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I don’t see it mentioned here often but I like this course (Irasshai!) for actually hearing simple everyday sentences. You might find it a bit too much like school (!) but I like the cheesy humour. It starts from scratch. And I like it when WK vocab turns up in it and vice versa. I think I like the fact it’s structured and I just have to turn up and watch the next one. (I’m also doing NativShark but that requires ££ and is not quite the same as watching other students struggling to get sentences out) https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLMniSm5GhmXadL_F7ncTnOS_uBZXdVgkH What I truly need is a Japanese friend to practice speaking with!

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Ah, I really like this! I was just going to watch a minute of it, but somehow ended up watching the whole first episode. I like how they are jumping right into the Japanese gestures and bows right away.

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:slight_smile:
Also that the Japanese person helpfully responds “Hai” meaning yes, but the poor American is confused and thinks they’re saying “Hi”. But coming to it cold you can feel similarly confused, so there is humour in learning process. I like that the students are often making mistakes and it helps you appreciate your own misunderstandings. I should watch an episode today too!

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