LLearn Japanese

Confirming my Japanese study plan for April trip to Fukuoka (focus on conversation, not JLPT)

  • September 22, 2025

Hi all,

I’m looking for feedback on a study plan I’ve put together. My goal is practical conversational Japanese for daily life, not passing JLPT exams. In April I’ll (most likely) be going to Fukuoka for a Japanese language school, and I want to arrive with some survival skills already in place.

Context:

  • I studied before COVID, reached something like JLPT N5 (Genki + Duolingo + a kanji book).

  • Years have passed and I’ve forgotten a lot.

  • I have ADHD and short attention span, so I need something structured but not overwhelming.

  • I can dedicate about 1-1.5 hours per day until April.

Plan (September–March):

  • Core textbook: Marugoto Starter / Elementary A1 (aligned with JF Standard, more communicative than Genki). 1–2 lessons per week.

  • App for daily engagement: Wagotabi (on Steam) or LingoDeer if Wagotabi doesn’t click. About 30 minutes a day.

  • Speaking practice: Shadowing / Pimsleur (15–20 min daily, repeating out loud). Plus 2–3 Italki/Preply sessions per week (30–45 min each, focusing only on survival conversation, not grammar drills).

  • Optional reinforcement: Anki deck with phrases (not single vocab), 10–15 minutes a day. Only sentences I’ve actually used/heard, nothing massive.

Weekly extras:

  • One relaxed input session (anime, slice-of-life drama, podcast). Goal: pick up 1–2 expressions, not “study.”

  • Sunday review: recap Marugoto + top Anki phrases.

Outcome I want by April:

  • Be able to introduce myself, order food, shop, ask for directions, handle simple social interactions.

  • Basically, an A1–A2 “survival Japanese” level, so I can live and get by before serious study starts at the school.

Does this structure make sense? Is Marugoto the right choice for this goal, or should I stick with Genki? And is Wagotabi actually worth keeping in the daily loop for conversation prep?

Any advice from people who’ve done something similar would be super helpful.

by InsaneGoblin