Hi all,
I'm currently desperately trying to improve my Japanese as I live in Japan, my knowledge is somewhere in N4-N3 level. Aiming to take the N3 exams in July, my current study methods include:
5 days a week formal study via online Akamonkai Japanese language school for 2 hours a day. We learn 1 gramma point and 4-6 kanji per lesson. Homework is writing 1 short essay per lesson and 1 medium essay on last lesson of each subject.
Anki I put in all the new kanjis and words I learn each day manually, then consistently review.
Online tutor from Japatalk, twice a week for an hour, usually helping understand grammar points and deep diving into my essays, plus free talk time.
I work part-time at a restaurant in Japan as wait staff. I only really use the customer service Japanese I've memorised for work and the menu for taking orders. Usually too busy to talk to my coworkers much unfortunately, but my speaking has definitely improved.
The good:
I can read well and quickly, I'm comfortable with kanji, I can hear Japanese at native speed, I'm getting pretty good at writing Japanese but I still have to constantly check if I'm using grammar correctly.
The bad:
I struggle to speak above N5 grammar except for specific phrases I've memorised. Whilst I can remember kanji readings I struggle a lot with actual understanding. I feel more like I've learnt how to make the right sounds but have no comprehension. Grammar doesn't seem to really stick in my head and I'm not sure how to improve it.
by Sidochan