The Power of Input

First off, I want to mention that like most people on this sub, i have been watching a lot of anime as a kid.

First dubbed, then later on watching it in Japanese.
Back in my days, anime were not as readily available as now, so i would often watch the same show 10 different times.

At some point, I noticed that at some point I had a pretty good grasp of what's going on in shows without having to read the subtitles. I decided as an experiment to stop using them and see how much I could understand.

Since then I barely use any subtitles unless it's a very technical show like all those medical dramas that I love (Doctor X or the more recent The 19th Medical Ward for example).

I discovered earlier this year through reddit that what i went through was the theory of having enough "input" (Matt vs Japan on Youtube talks a lot about it)

Later on, as an adult, I've met a few japanese and lo and behold I could talk to them and they were able to understand me!
What really stroke me is that sentences came naturally without me having to think.

I have seen many people suggesting that anime is not a proper source of input. Imo, it's a great source for vocabulary and it's highly depend on what you are watching. Maybe, I have been lucky enough not to like most of the mainstream battle manga.

After 20+ years of weeberie, and actually feeling like it could someday be useful, I felt it was time to properly learn Japanese.

Step 1.1: Learning the Kanas

I browsed through books at the bookstore that uses images to have an idea of the shape and form of Kanas. In retrospect, I could have used Tofugo guides.

For recall, I used Duolingo! I like keeping a streak and I try to remember the Kana as fast as possible. Haven't missed a day since I started and I still do some reviews.

Step 1.2: Writing the Kanas

This step is optional for most, I personally felt like knowing how to write them helps me remember them and recognize them faster.
I used Youtube shorts to see how they are traced

Step 2.1: Took an in-person class (follows Genki)

Coming from a traditional way of learning and having lack of motivations from time to time, I decided to partake in a 2h30 group class every week.

To be honest, it is not that effective like many have pointed out.

I got placed into advanced intermediary level right off the bat after doing a placement test but to this day I haven't encountered a word I didn't know.

Also the level of other students is diverse so not the best when you are trying to have a conversation.

Takeway: It made me realize that the main thing I had to work on was, you guessed it, KANJIs.

I still go to class to have a community and talk to a native teacher whenever I have questions.

Step 2.2: Learning Kanjis

Most of my focus has been here.

I did some Chinese when I was in College and didn't have much fun learning kanjis.
For Japanese, I tried most of the resources: Rememebering the Kanjis, Wanikani etc

I personally use Learning Japanese Kanji. I love the structure and it is muuuch more fun.
I don't try to over do it, I would try to learn 2 kanjis a day or lookup the kanjis I have to learn through my class or when mining.

Step 3: Mining

I followed Refold video to setup anki + asbplayer. This is honestly the best thing i have ever done.
It is fun, helps you learn words in context.

I watch a lot of Japanese dramas in my day to day so I don't really have to force myself looking for input.

Pros: This method is by far the best. Sure it forces you to stop every once in a while but most of the vocab is pretty much the same anyway.

Cons: You have to watch your dramas with subtitles.

Step 4: Reading practice speed + Shadowing

I use Satori Reader, Pimsleur, and sometimes Japanese Comprehensible Input both offers transcripts.

I prefer Satori Reader, Japanese Comprehensible Input can be boring.

Pimsleur needs no introduction as it is more speaking practice.

I try to shadow whenever I use Pimsleur or Satori Reader.

My sensei at the Gym is Japanese, so I practice speaking with him whenever I get a chance.

Step 5: Misc learning

Bought the book Learn Japanese Grammar the Manga Way and Dictionnary of Basic Japanese.
Every once in a while, I would open it and read through a rule.

I use AI + examples from https://massif.la/ to create drills and flashcards.

Shows I used to mine (As of today):
– Chihayafuru: Full Circle
– Anti Hero
– The 19th Medical Ward
– Grande Maison Tokyo