Proficiency in Japanese
What it takes to become fluent and steps you can take to get there.
Disclaimer: The links in this article are not affiliated links. I am not sponsored. The material recommended in this article are tools that I believe help with studying Japanese.
I get this question often. How long does it take to become fluent? I am always happy to answer. I like to see when people have an interest in learning Japanese. So, today here is a thorough answer about my process.
The American Heritage Dictionary defines Fluent as such: Able to express oneself readily and effortlessly.
I interpret the definition like this. Being able to smoothly express feelings or thoughts about a subject in which you are knowledgeable. But also able to articulate your words about a subject in which you are unfamiliar.
How long does it take to become fluent?
It took me four years.
Those four years went like this.
The first time I heard the Japanese language was when I moved to Japan in 2016. After a few weeks, I decided, as many do, to learn Japanese. My friend’s recommendation brought me to buy Mina No Nihongo from the nearby book shop.
I also downloaded this app to use as a dictionary.
My routine was straightforward. I studied roughly thirty hours a week — an hour before work, two hours after work, and about fifteen hours on the weekend. It sounds like a lot, but I forgot about time once my textbook opened. Additionally, I would use pictures of the chapter’s grammar points to fit in short review sessions during lunch and train rides.
After finishing the Mina no Nihongo series I used the 新完全マスター books. They are tailored for passing the JLPT tests and are structured very nicely. At the time, I had no desire to pass the test, but I enjoyed the layout. I used a wireless keyboard with these books and hand-typed the entire set of textbooks into my phone. The process was slow, but it aided in recognizing kanji and became useful for becoming a proficient writer in Japanese — a skill that later became useful. Then in 2019, I passed the N2 JLPT test (N1 is the highest level).
This routine continued until I got married and decided that in the future I want to become a Japanese to English translator. I now study about ten hours per week to pass the N1 and read Japanese non-fiction for about ten hours (recommended reading list is at the bottom). The remaining hours are used working as a part-time translator.
Here are my tips for learning Japanese
Moving to Japan is not necessary
Many say that moving to a country will force learning a language faster. Although this statement may be true, it can also be a fast way to burn out on a language. Having the ability to separate from a language in times of being overwhelmed can save the love of a language. Besides, ninety percent of the studying I did can be done anywhere in the world.
Determine your goal
Establish a rough goal. A goal will decide a method for studying. Whatever the goal may be, it is perfectly ok to change at any time. For example, initially, my goal was to read books. However, my current goal is to become a fully self-supported translator. If practicing Japanese conversation is the ultimate goal, finding an online tutor and a good language partner is a great choice.
Becoming overwhelmed is natural
Looking at the big picture is a reminder of how much there is to learn. However, focusing on only the next step makes the task smaller. Every time I turned a page of my textbook, I celebrated. Even if it is for five minutes, making time to study every day goes a long way. A missed day makes the next study day more difficult.
Find a study zone
Finding a consistent place and or time for study, I feel, is extremely important. For me, I studied at Starbucks. During the week, I was at a Starbucks near my workplace, and on the weekends, I rode the train for forty minutes to a Starbucks in Omotesando, Tokyo. A consistent place and time trigger our brains to think that it is study time. Studying in the same place as the TV or dinner table can lead to doing other activities. Here in Japan, it is common for people to work or study all day at a place like Denney’s. It is cheap and offers all the amenities.
Think in Japanese
Even when we are not studying, we can still take advantage by thinking entirely in Japanese. I try to think about how to say something in Japanese and, if possible, check the grammar and check a dictionary for any unknown words. I even have conversations in Japanese with myself.
Write in Japanese
Pull out the computer or phone and type up something. Anything is ok. The act of writing helps solidify grammar and vocabulary. For example, in the beginning, I would spend thirty minutes writing a journal entry that said something like, “I just ate a red apple.” Keeping it simple and then working into more complex sentences will ensure that grammar is remaining consistent. Finding a Japanese tutor to look over this written work can be highly beneficial.
Avoid using auto-translation
It may be tempting to use technology like Google translate, but I recommend avoiding it. Translation software is inaccurate when it comes to Japanese. Only professional tools costing hundreds of dollars can come close — even with these tools, high-level language comprehension is still required. Nevertheless, our Japanese skills will deepen and eventually shine because we took time to struggle through grammar and asked for assistance when needed.
Use our Japanese skills on something fun
It is important to remember why we started studying in the first place. For me, reading novels was my goal. Find a way to enjoy the newly found skills. Whatever the reason for learning Japanese, let’s enjoy it. I do believe, however, that limiting this time is still essential. Anime, manga, video games, drama, and novels are mediums created to entertain. They are passive activities but can be used actively to become helpful in studying. Writing reviews, taking notes on unknown grammar and vocabulary, or even writing a synopsis are great ways to boost skills. But in the end, nothing can replace the efficiency of studying with a textbook.
Read a lot
As I just mentioned reading fiction should be limited, but I believe that non-fiction is a powerful way to level up and learn about Japanese culture. Novels are written to charm readers and thus, use phrases, words, and kanji that, in some cases, are specific to that book or genre. It can also be hard to tell, as a beginner, what dialect and what period of language a novel is using. NHK has a great news page designed for Japanese learners. NHK Easy News is a great place to start and grow vocabulary — even if it is hard to understand, it is a great practice to read aloud and build muscle memory. The mind will subconsciously recognize patterns and naturally apply them in conversations.
Kindle for reading
After reaching a basic level of reading, a Kindle is a great tool. Kindles have a built-in dictionary and allow for the installation of a free Japanese to English dictionary (sadly, the phone app doesn’t have this feature). One long push on any Japanese word will pull up all the information. A small disclaimer with this, however, the dictionary is not always correct. So, I advise double-checking a separate dictionary as well. Nevertheless, the use of a Kindle can speed up reading and help keep motivation high.
When reading, reflect
Analyzing every segment of reading can be slow but highly beneficial. I need to constantly remind myself that I am reading to improve my skills. Not just finish a book or article. I try reading a sentence aloud until it sounds smooth and free of stammers. Breaking down the grammar, and even constructing similar sentences can go a long way. My books are loaded with sticky notes, tags, highlights, and notes. Often when I finish reading a book I like, I write a review. Some of these reviews are online, and some I keep to myself.
Learn to use a Japanese-only dictionary
This step is for the advanced stages of studying, but I highly recommend using a Japanese-only dictionary. A Japanese dictionary has both a word’s definition in its cultural context and its cultural nuance. Whereas Japanese English dictionaries only provide the closest substitute for a word in English. In some cases, these substitutes are close in definition but hold a different connotation in Japanese. Therefore, cross-referencing between the two will deepen Japanese comprehension.
Find a practice partner
My recommendation is to find an online tutor. I have been using iTalki and Preply for over three years, and I highly commend these sites. A language partner is also another option, but I prefer a tutor. While tutors can be expensive, I feel the benefits surpass the cost-free option of a language partner. Language partners are students just like us and may struggle to explain how to use certain grammar points or words properly.
Additionally, a language partnership is a casual environment. Therefore, it is common for mistakes to go unnoticed. If a language partner is used I recommend agreeing on a set of rules. Thirty minutes in English and thirty minutes in Japanese is a good starting point.
In conclusion
Learning Japanese, just as any language, takes time and persistence. However, I believe it is worth it. The experiences I have had and the books I have read have been life-changing. Japanese is a beautiful language that has an elegance indescribable in English.
Below is a list of recommended materials for study and pleasure. If you do happen to read anything from this list, I would love to hear your impressions. Also, if you have any questions about studying Japanese, feel free to ask, and I will do my best to answer. I hope you enjoy your journey.
The links provided are links that I can access in Japan. Whether or not they are accessible in your country is not something I cannot confirm. I am sorry.
Textbooks
Apps
Online references
Fiction
- 夢をかなえるゾウ１、２、３、４(A very humorous fictitious series about how to become successful. The elephant in the story speaks with a Kansai dialect so it may be hard to read at first.)
- そして、バトンは渡された (2019 best book award winner and my favorite novel. Long but an easy read that uses common everyday language.)
- また、同じ夢を見ていた (Great story with a fantastic twist.)
- よるのばけもの (Another story with a fantastic twist. This story is best when read two or three times.)
- 三日間の幸福 (Slightly difficult read but really keeps you on the edge of your seat.)
- カラフル (Most recommended book for middle school students in Japan. But that also means it is easier for language learners to read.)
- ぼくは明日、昨日のきみとデートする (Heartbreaking love story. But a good book — be prepared to cry a lot.)
Non-fiction
- コピーライターじゃなくても知っておきたい 心をつかむ超言葉術 (Methods for conveying thoughts through the power of words.)
- それ、勝手な決めつけかもよ? だれかの正解にしばられない「解釈」の練習 (Intensive self-improvement book about how or interpretations change our reality.)
- 読みたいことを、書けばいい。(A book about writing and how to build habits to encourage more writing.)
- 嫌われる勇気 (Adler’s theory of personal psychology broken down into slightly easier to understand parts. The first in a two-book series. This one covers how to be brave enough to be hated so you can reach your full potential.)
- 幸せになる勇気 (Second book in the series about Adler’s theory of personal psychology. This one is about how to choose happiness.)
- あなたの知らないあなたの強み (A book about the Five Factors of Stress theory and how to utilize our strengths that get manifested during pressuring situations.)
