I’m not completely new to Japanese but I am trcking along at a better pace than I ever have before. I’ve finally gotten over the initial jump of learning a few hundred kanji and after finishing level 1 of Pimsleur I was able to spit out a bunch of useful phrases to practice a bit with my Japanese colleagues when I went on my first visit to Japan last week.
However, I made some friends in Kyoto and quickly realized that, when English isn’t available as a supplement, just how easily I can get lost. After all, I’d say I’ve just about completed N5 material which isn’t much. So I still have a ton to learn.
This semester I was also taking two grad classes while working, so as I finish up finals this week I’ll pretty much have all of my time outside of work to dedicate to language improvement for the next several months, and while living there a year, and my company is willing to help fund it (they didn’t mention a budget yet).
Problem is, I’m not sure what I should ask for. As mentioned, I currently do Pimsleur (I might be able to finish the entire course before I go with proper dedication). I am working through a 1.5k kanji vocab deck. I have been using Genki thus far as well as occasionally scheduling iTalki lessons.
What could I use while living in the US these next few months to make better improvement than my unguided self-study? Has anyone done this fast track route before?
Edit: There’s actually no Japanese language requirement for my role. It’s a global facing role that can be done solely in English. But I want to be as fluent as I can in Japanese not just to make my life easier but to connect better with my colleagues and immerse in the culture.
My husband is a foreigner as well, so I already know the experience of being in a room surrounded by a foreign language, unable to comprehend anything. I don’t want that to be me again in Japan if I can help it!
by elusivebonanza