been on a learning plateau for so long

[Paul Kelaey]

Hi,
I need some advice. I first went to Japan in 1991 on the JET Program and stayed there until 1993. Like most other AET's I had no formal Japanese language learning background. I studied on my own for the two years and felt happy with the progress I made. Back in Canada I continued to study on my own, and when I returned to Japan in 2000 and 2001-02, took some classes at the International Center and had a tutor for a short time. I had planned to write the JLPT (Level 3), but never did.
I married a Japanese woman 6 years ago and we have serious communication challenges. Her English is much better than my Japanese, but when we encounter a communication breakdown, we tend to have a lot of difficulty making ourselves understood to one another.
For the past 5 years we lived in the Gulf where I continued to study on my own-usually Kanji. Now we are moving back to Japan for good and I would like to try to improve my language skills to integrate more into life there. We will be living beside my wife's family, so I feel it encumbunt upon me to learn.
I am very frustrated since I seem to have been on a learning plateau for so long. I would say it's an upper beginner (JLPT Level 3/4) level. Here in Kingston I worked with two Japanese foreign students for a few weeks to try and prepare myself for the JLPT -level 2. It was difficult if not impossible for me to understand the reading practice for the level 2 exam. I find I can read through a text without knowing what I just read about. The two tutors sensed my frustration I suggested I not concentrate on the JLPT, but instead watch dramas on TV to develop an ear for the language.
I get very anxious now when I am in a one-on-one tutorial situation since my weaknesses are exposed. There are so many areas of the language I have not been taught.
Any advice you could provide would be sincerely appreciated.
Thanks,
Paul

[Damicci]

If your moving to Japan anyway, I wouldn't worry so much about it. You will naturally pick it up. Just stick to the basics and try to not to overdo it too much.

[nice gaijin]

I agree. As you'll find yourself thrust into full immersion, you will notice great improvement in your language abilities if you make an honest effort. As a rule, never be too embarrassed to try to express yourself. You already know that you'll make mistakes, but it's important to reveal those areas that you need to work on so you can continue to improve. By not trying you are only stunting your own development. Even I have trouble with this at times.

[alantin]

Sentences (http://www.alljapaneseallthetime.com/blog/10000-sentences-why)!!! :cool:


I always like recommend this approach since it works so well for me and I have heared lots of positive feedback about the method. It is a really good way to suppliment your studies.

Basically you just read stuff and add sentences to an srs -program for review. It gives you the possibility to daily read stuff that you can understand fairly well and you get the kanji readings down through reading them in context while reviewing the hard stuff and the easy stuff getting sceduled further and further.

Also there are various good study and grammar books available and you seem to have all odds for you. I don't see any reason for you not become very fluent in quite a short time once you get to Japan. I lived there for three months and learned more about the language than in the three years previous.

[FrustratedDave]

What are you going to be doing for work? I agree with the others, you will have plenty of chances to improve, it will almost be forced on you.

[Mikawa Ossan]

Here's an idea for when you get to Japan. You can swallow some pride and start out reading books written for small children. Once you master them, you can move onto somewhat more difficult books, but you have to start somewhere.

[Buntaro]

Paul,

I break the study of Japanese language into three areas, kanji, 'correct' textbook-style Japanese grammar & vocaublary, and conversational Japanese. (I find the second and third areas quite different.) I think you should put the Kanji study on hold, and work on the other two. What do you think?