Just a few reminders that I think need to be said.
1. You put in the work that you want to get out of the language.
Language learning isn't hard. It's quite straight forward. You put in the effort to learn the language, get comprehensible input, and build your knowledge of the language and output. But language learning takes time, especially for a language as distant from English as Japanese. You're going to spend thousands of hours learning and if you can't put that time in, then that's fine but I think it's good to know that you'll take longer the less time you do put in.
2. You are capable.
I've seen a few posts of people overthinking their methods or thinking they're not capable and they keep comparing themselves. Everyone who learns the language is capable. Nobody is stupid. And if you have an actual pre-existing disadvantage like a language learning disability or something else, I hope you find ways to overcome it. Some of the best people I know who've learnt Japanese have had pre-existing circumstances like a lack of time and thus have taken longer, but they took the time to put effort in. This language is possible, but effort is necessary. Spending 5 minutes on duolingo everyday will mean that you'll be spending decades cuz you're not putting enough time in. If you genuinely can't put the time in, that's fine but it will inevitably take longer.
3. You are what you put into the language.
I've seen people say "do whatever you want" and "the method that works best is whatever works best for the individual" and I think this is true to an extent. People can have preferences with what they want to do with the language and if a practice aligns with their goals, that's fine, but there are proven methods that work and methods that don't work. You are what you put into the language. You want to learn how to read? Read more comprehensible material and increase the difficulty as you go along. You want to speak? Speak and make the mistakes. The corrections to those mistakes are how you progress because you'll know to avoid said mistakes for next time. But what you put into the language will directly correlate with whatever you want to get out of the language.
4. If something seems scary, I'd say to try it.
Comfort zones are comfy. It feels nice doing whatever you know won't hurt you. But if you have a goal that seems scary now, I'd say it's just better to go for it now and then if it doesn't work out, you know what doesn't work and what does work. You can adjust your goals accordingly and work up to your goals with practices that fit your current needs. But just avoiding something because it's "scary" means that you will delay progress. Everything is going to be scary at first and you will struggle. But that's part of the journey. You just need to go out there, do it, refine your skill, and things will become easier.
5. Not seeing progress for a while is normal.
People tend to overthink about the problems that they have, but I think a lot of these worries are normal. Even the most advanced Japanese learners have experienced these problems regarding progress or a certain practice and they eventually overcame it so if you feel like you're not seeing progress or that you're not gonna make it, just remember that this is normal and that you're capable of making it but you have to make the effort to do it.
Anyways, just 5 little reminders that I think are important to keep in mind.
by LupinRider
10 comments
Comparison is the thief of joy. There is no reason to care about how other learners are progressing unless you want to get advice from them or think you’re genuinely not making any progress at all. If you know more each day than you did the previous then you’re closer to your goals, that’s all you need to think.
When learning a language, I think a lot of people focus on an “endpoint” that doesn’t actually exist and are in a near constant state of being upset that they’re not there or that it’s taking too long to get there. Learn to enjoy the process, enjoy getting better bit by bit, get excited about finding new things you can understand.
Once you hit a baseline of fluency, you’ll miss the days when you were constantly “leveling up” and getting better, it’s a different type of fun once you’re good. I still miss the days when I grinded hard and was making rapid progress, the process itself is super addicting if you can find ways to get yourself to enjoy that first and foremost.
The assumption is this is a lifelong commitment, so it’s good to remember it’s a marathon not a sprint.
1. Language learning is not easy, it takes lots of time and dedication, especially for the more difficult languages.
2. Sure, everyone is able to learn a language. Some people are just much better equipped to learn it faster then others. But if you put in enough time, you will get results.
3. True, you get better at what you practice. Translation between different skills is limited.
4. It’s true, one should work on the weaknesses, it’s the same in sports like climbing. If you avoid the weakness, it will just get worse.
5. Yes, learning a language takes a serious amount of time, it takes a while until you get “the hang of it”.
It’s both easy and hard. Easy in that it doesn’t require particular talent. You don’t have to be super smart. Almost anyone can learn a language, given enough time and effort, though it’ll be a little easier if you have good study skills or have certain other talents.
Hard in that the time commitment to get to fluency is absolutely massive, especially for a language that doesn’t have much in common with the one(s) you already speak. And there will probably be times when some aspects don’t make sense right away or take extra effort to memorize.
I always say that the key to language learning is **patience**. Those with patience will continue their journey, and those without it will quit.
I think phrases like “everyone studies at his own pace” and “it’s a marathon not a sprint” also kinda distract people into thinking that 15 minutes of daily study will ever get them anywhere. I mean yeah consistency is important but quantity is too especially with Japanese.
Comprehensible Input.
It’s actually a *warning*.
I—and, I think, most people—have something we think looks cool that we want to start with. Some manga or movie or game.
Way too hard. Impossibly hard.
Gotta go easier. Easier.
I am the weak guy in the gym, struggling with the barbell, having to remove the weights until I am finally left struggling to lift the unweighted bar.
But, when the weight is finally at my true level, it moves. I am finally making progress with the **Input** I can **Comprehend**.
It’s impossible to look cool while making progress.
Yesssss. This is what I needed to see today.
Also, there is no finish line for learning a language. Learning a language and *using it* should be the goal. Not a test. Not a grade. Enjoyment of the journey of learning and then enjoying being able to use the skill you have acquired from all that hard work.
If you keep going today, in 10 years you will thank yourself. If you stop today, you will look back and think “I wish I had kept going 10 years ago.”
がんばって、みんな~
Have patience, curiousity and fun. (And don’t forget the basic needs, like food, water, sleep, physical/mental health, socializing)
Well, no, not really.
>Not seeing progress for a while is normal.
Something went wrong in my head and I plateaued in grammar drills for months at this point with no progress at all. My retention is at 40-60%, nothing seems to work. Claiming that “no progress is normal” is nonsense.
There’s a difference between “trackable progress that doesn’t impact fluency yet” and “no progress” which you don’t seem to grasp.