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Exploring the Path of My Japanese Language Learning Experience

  • fotaquest
  • May 16, 2024
  • 3 min read

Updated: Feb 4

Exploring the Path of My Japanese Language Learning Experience

By Lars Guo

Published: May 16, 2024


Opening Message

Hi Folks! I hope you’ve been enjoying my blog posts. In this one, I’ll be sharing my journey with Japanese studies. I’ll cover how I got started, my trips to Japan, the resources I’ve used, my progress over the years, and some social media accounts worth following. Let’s dive in!


How I Got Started with Japanese

My interest in Japanese began thanks to a friend who was studying the language while living in the U.S. Wanting to learn alongside her, I jumped on the bandwagon during my junior year of high school. Since my college didn’t offer Japanese courses, I self-studied during my senior year and most of my freshman year using the Genki I textbook.

To supplement my learning, I used apps like Duolingo, Memrise, Twitter, and HelloTalk. Later, I discovered iTalki, a platform for online language tutoring, which became a game-changer. I started using it during my time at Middlesex Community College, where I steadily built my foundation in Japanese. After completing my courses at Middlesex, I took a short break before transferring to UMass Amherst. However, my Japanese learning didn’t go to waste—my brother and I traveled to Japan in 2019, giving me my first real-life exposure to using the language.


Using Japanese in Japan (2019 Trip)

Our trip took us to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. I had the chance to use Japanese at places like the Kyoto International Manga Museum, though I now realize I would have been much more confident if I went today. While I wasn’t able to speak as much as I had hoped, the experience motivated me to continue learning.



Japanese Studies at UMass Amherst

At UMass Amherst, I joined a Japanese-speaking club, where I practiced via Zoom during the pandemic. I also attended extra help sessions, practiced writing kanji using my tablet, and regularly chatted with classmates and professors. During my senior year, I completed Genki II and reached an elementary level of proficiency. I even took a mock JLPT N4 exam (which has five levels, N5 being the easiest and N1 the hardest). Although it wasn’t an official test, I passed! In my final semester, I started keeping a Japanese journal and attended Japanese-speaking sessions run by the Japanese Society of Boston. That summer, I used iTalki to continue my studies at an intermediate level. By Fall 2022, I had advanced significantly and participated in a virtual Japanese club, improving beyond what I had learned in classes. Unfortunately, the club ended after one semester due to the professor’s schedule, but I continued using iTalki for speaking practice.


Japan Trip 2023: A New Level of Confidence

My 2023 solo trip to Japan was a completely different experience from 2019. With improved Japanese skills, I confidently conversed with locals and employees. Since I traveled alone, people were more open to speaking with me in Japanese. I even made a friend with whom I could communicate in both Japanese and English. Using context clues, I could read more Japanese than before, and my speaking had improved significantly. This trip reinforced how rewarding it is to be able to connect with others in their native language.


Textbooks I Used for Learning Japanese

I’ve used three main textbooks to learn Japanese:

  • Genki I & II – Great for beginners, these books offer clear English explanations of grammar, structured lessons, and practice exercises. They helped me build a solid foundation up to the N5 level. While some learners prefer the Minna no Nihongo series, which is entirely in Japanese, I found Genki better suited to my learning style.

  • Quartet I – An intermediate-level textbook set that includes vocabulary, grammar, writing, speaking, and reading practice. I discovered Quartet through the YouTuber Tokikani and appreciate its structured approach. Currently, I’m working through Quartet I and plan to move on to Quartet II next.


Current Studies and Progress

Currently, I continue using iTalki for speaking practice and YouTube for listening exercises. I study with the Quartet textbook, read Japanese manga, and watch anime and Japanese live streams. I also practice writing letters in Japanese. My proficiency has improved significantly, though I’m not fluent yet—I’m steadily making progress!


Social Media to Follow


Closing Message

Thank you for reading! I hope you found my journey inspiring. I look forward to sharing more blog posts with you soon. Until next time, happy studying!


 
 
 

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