Hello guys. It's been quite some time since I started learning Japanese (I started in pandemics), and I always struggled to keep consistency. Back in 2020 I was studying Kanji (using primarily Wanikani). I managed to reach level 20 or something but then I got demotivated and eventually dropped Japanese learning. After some time, I tried going back, but I couldn't manage to get past a month or two studying consistently. And it's been like this ever since. I tried focusing only on Kanji, only vocabs, I picked some books and tried following along, I even tried doing everything at once (vocab, kanji and grammar) but I always end up burned out and feeling like I didn't accomplish much (and when I get back at studying, it feels like I forgot most of what I have learned, so I'm always going back to the beginning). Well, now I want to do different, I'm going through 6k core and I think that's all I am gonna do until I reach 2k words. I don't have much time either (pursuing a PhD in mathematics at the time). I just wanna ask you how do you manage to keep consistency for years? And how to deal with the fact that you don't know much and it'll be like that for a long time? And I appreciate any tips or suggestions of different approaches.
I have approximately 30 minutes in the morning and 15 at night to study.
I'm sorry for the long text and for my poor English.
Well first of all, instead of thinking, "I'm not going to be good at Japanese in forever" think "I will stop at nothing until I am fluent ". Even if it seems like you're a total noob (trust me I understand ) you are making more progress than you think. Don't worry about the numbers, the more you know the more you learn from just seeing Japanese text randomly, seeing people talk about Japanese, etc. etc. And I don't even mean immersion, just being around anything, if that makes sense.
Learning only one thing at a time is probably not a great plan, that's not very motivating and you won't be able to see much progress that way. You're already learning vocabulary, you should at least learn some basic grammar, or whatever interests you really. (Can't really skip grammar though.) If Renshuu's grammar lessons don't work for you you can use something else. You should be able to fit several schedules in and as long as you don't progress too quickly you should be able to finish your reviews within 20 - 30 minutes.
To stay motivated, I think you should go and find random things you don't know that are cool and learn about them Even just go on Wikipedia, and read an article like "kanji" for instance, and then find more articles about things you don't know about. (No, do not worry about whether it seems like beginner information.) Learn random facts that you think are interesting, even if no one else knows them (if you're like me that makes them more interesting) and then you'll be like, "Wow Japanese is so cool!" and then you'll want to do your schedules every day
At least, that's how I stay motivated. Idk if anyone else is the same
(Also your English is fine, idk why you think it's poor)
- Never underestimate the power of friends. Get in contact with others. Share your success, rant about grammar, get comfort and comfort others when needed. Social contact can make the difference. - Since you're into numbers, get yourself a streak. Any app that counts days spent learning. It may not look much, but it's hard to give up 100 days or even a year just because of one lazy day. - Take it easy. There's no need to spend all of the little sparetime you have on Japanese. Success isn't how much time a day you spend. It's how many days you keep going. Just 10 minutes a day (but that for 10 years) will get you further than 2 hours a day and a burnout after two months. - Plan a fixed learning time. Every day during breakfast. On the bus to university. Every evening after dinner. Something like that. This makes it easier to remember.
I tried before as well. Doing stuff with others also learning helps me and like .melody said an app that keeps track does wonders. I use dualingo for this.
I believe that setting a clear goal is crucial for maintaining consistency in learning Japanese. Without a specific objective to strive for, it becomes challenging to stay motivated. When facing the inevitable feeling of knowing little, it's essential to shift one's mindset. Rather than dwelling on the scarcity of knowledge, cultivate a hunger for learning (at least in my situation). You have to have a certain thirst or hunger for knowledge and learning more and more - usually having a set goal would help cultivate this 'hunger' or thirst for knowledge (i.e getting a job in Japan). Approach Japanese with curiosity and enthusiasm, viewing each new discovery as an opportunity rather than a deficiency. Personal motivation is key; it propels one forward in the learning journey. Initially, my focus wasn't on my limited knowledge but on establishing an effective learning strategy for long-term progress. Additionally, if learning Japanese is primarily for enjoyment, it's normal to experience periods of disinterest. In such moments, pushing oneself to study often backfires, leading to further demotivation. Instead, embrace breaks and learn at your own pace, fostering a more efficient and sustainable learning experience.
(ALSO take breaks when you need it! Don't force yourself to study if you personally don't feel like it, it will only demotivate you even more in the long-term).
That's totally understandable. And even if you don't have time to study in your textbooks and such, watching an episode of your favorite anime in Japanese will help.
Japanese is a marathon not a sprint. While a single step may seem insignificant, it is one step closer to the finish line. Those who choose to keep putting one foot in front of the other will succeed.
I recommend studying a little bit every day, even if it is for only five minutes. If you keep consistently doing it, it will start to become a habit. Once it becomes a habit, it just becomes something you do, whether you are motivated or not.
Thank you guys for all the answers, they're really helpful. I think I will eventually try to engage in social environments where Japanese is present, just like Melody suggested. It's kinda hard to find people with the same interests here (I live in Brazil). I have done a course in the past (quite basic) and it was really nice to have people interested in the same things to talk with every week.
Discord isn't for everyone, but we have a *ton* of people trying to do that - make the most out of a Japanese environment where an ideal in-real-life setup isn't available.
It's so great that you want to continue, despite the struggle, which is you telling you, "Let's do this!" even if it doesn't feel like it. =) Like Row and
マイサー said, there are different ways to study and/or motivate yourself, which is also technically studying bc you learn something about the culture, whether watching anime or reading some articles on someone/something Japanese. Japanese mathematicians, maybe? Inevitably you'll come across a Japanese word, name or idea, which are all a part of the language. I just found out Japan is ranked number one for highest IQ's in the world...!?!
The Japanese words and expressions I've picked up by listening to Japanese music and "top Japanese words" ytube vids, while cooking, getting dressed or on the way somewhere, and also by watching jdramas and films - are the ones I remember the most! So immersion works, and even more so if you take it to the next level, like looking up translations for the words, songs, etc., and write it down, and soon you'll have a list... I think mixing up how you input the learning will help avoid burnout. I really like the idea of labelling items around the house with Japanese and learning like that. I hope I take my own advice, too... Good luck! Little by little!
To stay consistently motivated, do the things in the language that you enjoy every day. If you don't like the textbook, then look for other ways/alternatives that suit your learning style. You should be consistent, but also introduce variety into your learning routine. As some have already written, try to establish a routine that has something new (and fun) in store for you every day.
Look forward to learn something new instead of thinking...I do not get it. It takes time to learn something new and the process of forgetting is also part of learning. That is completely normal. You just have to find the right path for you and you'll get there.
I recommend trying to find some things to translate. I felt like actually understanding Japanese and translating small bits of text was when I really started feeling like I was actually learning a lot. You should learn basic grammar, personally I think just using blogposts that explain one grammar form at a time are really useful if the renshuu lessons aren't your style. Then, find a way to apply your studies: transcribe and translate something (anime, film, youtube video, fanart on twitter...), or write something (keep a diary in japanese, write posts or comments in japanese, attempt conversations in japanese online). Actually putting your Japanese to use, even infrequently, will be much more rewarding and mentally reinforcing (in terms of memory) than keeping a streak/consistency.
Hi Gabe, I know people who do mathematics problems to de-stress.
I learn japanese for accessibility to feed my escapism from the other harsh realities of life.
A lot of other work and chores are a grind for me, so like the above-mentioned person who do math problems to de-stress, japanese media consumption is where I find my sanity back.
Some questions that may help you put things in perspective:
Where does learning japanese activity stand for you in the spectrum between "chore" vs "bliss" categories?
Are there some other related objectives that you get enjoyment out of picking up japanese for?
I miss my japanese practices quite a lot when things get busy around me. But, from time to time, when i sneak some time listening to J-pop, read some light novels, read japanese instant ramen packaging info, I find that I read faster and refer to the dictionary less often. It motivates me to continue to totally wean myself off the dictionary, therefore i continue to practice.
You seem to have a well-packed schedule. If you are already committed to allocate your precious time, there must be some value you gain out of it. What that value is, may be your answer or a lead to other answers.
I've heard many times that teaching is the best way to learn and if you have a friend who seems interested, then try teaching them. It'll keep both of you motivated and will be more fun and immersive
I've heard many times that teaching is the best way to learn and if you have a friend who seems interested, then try teaching them. It'll keep both of you motivated and will be more fun and immersive
Great point. My husband and I attend the same language course, normally we should know the same, right?
But that is not the case. We help each other learn Japanese. He helps me with grammar and I help him with vocab.
". Even if it seems like you're a total noob (trust me I understand 
) you are making more progress than you think. Don't worry about the numbers, the more you know the more you learn from just seeing Japanese text randomly, seeing people talk about Japanese, etc. etc. And I don't even mean immersion, just being around anything, if that makes sense.
You're already learning vocabulary, you should at least learn some basic grammar, or whatever interests you really. (Can't really skip grammar though.) If Renshuu's grammar lessons don't work for you you can use something else. You should be able to fit several schedules in and as long as you don't progress too quickly you should be able to finish your reviews within 20 - 30 minutes. 
Even just go on Wikipedia, and read an article like "kanji" for instance, and then find more articles about things you don't know about. (No, do not worry about whether it seems like beginner information.) Learn random facts that you think are interesting, even if no one else knows them (if you're like me that makes them more interesting
) and then you'll be like, "Wow Japanese is so cool!" and then you'll want to do your schedules every day 
Good luck! Little by little! 
