(I tried posting this on another dedicated subreddit for learning Japanese, but I guess I needed prior karma for that specific sub…)
Hello, I am a 19 year old woman who is a university student in Japan. I have been living here for close to a year now, and prior to living here, I didn't know much Japanese. When I got here, I was put into intensive J100 classes, (which was 3 hours a day for 3 days of the week) while the rest of my classes were in English. First part of my J100 classes were mostly stuff I already knew, so it wasn't too bad. But next semester, when I had to take intensive J200 classes, everything went downhill.
I hardly understood a thing being taught, and was put under so much stress. I really tried my hardest in the class, especially since it was worth 12 credits. We had two quizzes everyday, and a large 100 point test once every two weeks. On top of my other classes, and me still for some reason getting used to being independent on my own with no support, it's been very hard to keep up. It's a pretty high stress class, and we are not even allowed one single five minute break. Even if you decide to use the bathroom, you'd be missing out on lots of information. I should be better, but it's hard for me to have to concentrate that hard for three hours straight with no breaks…
I am not an exchange student, but everyone else in my class was, and they were all at least in their mid twenties. They were already pretty decent at Japanese, probably close to a J300 level, so I instantly felt like I was running behind the others.
The semester is over, but I did terrible in that class. I think I passed, but not with outstanding grades to show for it… It makes me feel so frustrated how behind I am. I am NOT at the level I should be at, and I'm gonna be required to take J300 courses next semester. It seems that most people in my class was able to hold basic conversations, while I cannot do so. I sometimes even feel myself forgetting really basic stuff that I learned my first semester…
I do know that one of my biggest struggles is confidence. I have social anxiety, and do not have any friends here, so I dont have much opportunity to practice my Japanese with people. And, when people do talk to me, most of the time I'd maybe understand about 60% of what they are saying, but out of fear of being incorrect about what they just said to me, I would pretend like I didn't understand a word, so that I could possibly avoid an interaction like:
Them: どんな食べ物が好きですか
Me: むらさき。 :/
Just as a random example… I just fear giving a very confident incorrect answer.
I literally want nothing more than to get good at the language, but I feel so stuck. I intend to live here for the rest of my life, and in my eyes, my university days are my one shot to make lifelong friends. I want it to actually feel like I live here. I spend all day thinking about how amazing it would be to travel around Japan and make friends once I speak Japanese at an okay level. It seems that no matter how hard I study, information just won't stick… I'm spending most of my spring break in America to visit my family, but during that time, I'd really like to improve before my second year.
I know that most of this was just me ranting, so I'm sorry… I mostly just wanted to know if there were any really good books, apps, general tips, etc that could prove useful to me. I've tried stuff like Duolingo before, but that didn't seem to help much. I don't feel like an absolute complete beginner, but I also dont feel intermediate, even though that's the level I should be at.
Things feel hopeless right now, especially since I've hardly improved even after taking those intensive classes, which should have gotten me results quick. Any help would be greatly appreciated, as I am growing desperate… Thank you.
by Angels_of_Death_Zack