Have you ever started thinking that you have learned the basics of the Japanese language, but now, you don't know where to take it from there?
If that's your case, then, please keep on reading....
Before I get into answering that specific question, let's remember the main steps to learn Japanese
1. Vocabulary
2. Hiragana
3. Katakana
4. Basic sentences
5. Grammar
6. Kanji
Now, I ask you this question, in what of those steps are you in? The answer that I commonly get is that people that they've already know all of it... but do they really?
If you are in the case scenario where you know some hiragana here and there, and some katakana here and there, and some kanji here and there, then I highly recommend you to master these skills before you keep on going.
Why? Because it will only get harder from there and if you haven't properly learn your Hiragana, Katakana, basic sentence structure and about 100 kanji, then you will start feeling frustrated with new concepts.
Now, for those who will tell me "I have master 100% all those concepts, yet I don't know what to do next" then I will give you a very simple answer: Everything depends on what exactly you want to do with the language.
For example, let's say you want to pass all levels of JLPT, which is the same as saying you want to get a decent job in Japan or go to university there.
If that's your case, then it will not be that difficult to find a path in the language.
The JLPT exam is a very structured exam with specific number of kanji and grammar points that you need to master to be able to pass the exam.
In the case scenario that you don't have money to spend in taking exams, you can actually download the exams for Free in their website. This will help you evaluate your level and know how prepared you are for the exam.
There is of course the other case scenario. What if you are not interested in the JLPT at all, but instead you would like to be able to watch anime without subtitles.
I know that for some people this is their goal, and that's pretty cool. Why? Because in order to not feel stuck you need and must have a goal. Otherwise you will not have anything to push you forward and therefore you would probably abandon the language.
Another thing very important to mention is to always create a schedule that you can stick to and follow. Always making sure to have the following categories in that schedule:
1. Reading
2. Grammar
3. Speaking
4. Listening
BUTTTTT, do fun things in between. Like listening to Japanese music, watching videos in Japanese, chatting in Japanese, seeing Japanese posts online.
Going back to the case scenario for those with a goal like watching anime with no subs, or reading manga in Japanese, or going to Japan and live there.
First make sure to remind yourself of your goal every single day!
second use that goal to find resources that will help you with that specific goal. For example if you love anime that much, there are fansubs groups out there that love to create subtitles for their favorite animes. You might not be able to translate at first, but you can always help editing and learning at the same time. How do I know this? I personally started learning Japanese by helping creating subtitles for Japanese dramas and it helped me become more fluent.
If that's your case, then, please keep on reading....
Before I get into answering that specific question, let's remember the main steps to learn Japanese
1. Vocabulary
2. Hiragana
3. Katakana
4. Basic sentences
5. Grammar
6. Kanji
Now, I ask you this question, in what of those steps are you in? The answer that I commonly get is that people that they've already know all of it... but do they really?
If you are in the case scenario where you know some hiragana here and there, and some katakana here and there, and some kanji here and there, then I highly recommend you to master these skills before you keep on going.
Why? Because it will only get harder from there and if you haven't properly learn your Hiragana, Katakana, basic sentence structure and about 100 kanji, then you will start feeling frustrated with new concepts.
Now, for those who will tell me "I have master 100% all those concepts, yet I don't know what to do next" then I will give you a very simple answer: Everything depends on what exactly you want to do with the language.
For example, let's say you want to pass all levels of JLPT, which is the same as saying you want to get a decent job in Japan or go to university there.
If that's your case, then it will not be that difficult to find a path in the language.
The JLPT exam is a very structured exam with specific number of kanji and grammar points that you need to master to be able to pass the exam.
In the case scenario that you don't have money to spend in taking exams, you can actually download the exams for Free in their website. This will help you evaluate your level and know how prepared you are for the exam.
There is of course the other case scenario. What if you are not interested in the JLPT at all, but instead you would like to be able to watch anime without subtitles.
I know that for some people this is their goal, and that's pretty cool. Why? Because in order to not feel stuck you need and must have a goal. Otherwise you will not have anything to push you forward and therefore you would probably abandon the language.
Another thing very important to mention is to always create a schedule that you can stick to and follow. Always making sure to have the following categories in that schedule:
1. Reading
2. Grammar
3. Speaking
4. Listening
BUTTTTT, do fun things in between. Like listening to Japanese music, watching videos in Japanese, chatting in Japanese, seeing Japanese posts online.
Going back to the case scenario for those with a goal like watching anime with no subs, or reading manga in Japanese, or going to Japan and live there.
First make sure to remind yourself of your goal every single day!
second use that goal to find resources that will help you with that specific goal. For example if you love anime that much, there are fansubs groups out there that love to create subtitles for their favorite animes. You might not be able to translate at first, but you can always help editing and learning at the same time. How do I know this? I personally started learning Japanese by helping creating subtitles for Japanese dramas and it helped me become more fluent.
