Why Self-Study in Japanese is Hard and How to Overcome It

There may be challenges in self-study (self-learning) of Japanese language learning, but with appropriate measures, there is a much higher chance of overcoming them. At JPLT Online Japanese Language School’s metaverse campus, there are solutions to overcome all challenges.

“Struggling to continue studying at home…”
“I seem unable to concentrate, making it difficult to continue studying.”
“I want to know ways to continue studying Japanese…”

Are you facing difficulties with self-study (self-learning) in Japanese language learning? Finding it hard to concentrate on studying or to sustain your efforts? This time, Eri-san, a staff member of JPLT Online Japanese Language School, will introduce reasons why Japanese language learning may not be progressing and strategies to continue studying!

In learning Japanese, one method to address the difficulty of self-study is to find a language partner and seize opportunities for communication in Japanese in daily life. People who have the opportunity to listen to and speak Japanese for free (or inexpensively) tend to improve their Japanese skills more quickly.

Here are 5 reasons why self-study in Japanese language learning may be difficult

1. Not understanding differences in culture and language

   Japanese has a different culture and language background than English. For many people learning Japanese as a second language, these differences make it hard to understand the language.

2. Struggling with pronunciation and expressions
   

   Japanese pronunciation and ways of expressing things are different from English. Getting used to Japanese pronunciation and accent, especially, can be tough, and just studying on your own might not help you get the right pronunciation and expressions.

3. Complexity of learning kanji and kana
   

   Japanese has unique characters like kanji and kana. Remembering these characters takes time, and it can feel hard to learn them through self-study.

4. Complexity of grammar and structure
   

   Japanese grammar and structure are different from English, right? Especially, rules about politeness and formal expressions in Japanese are complicated, and understanding them can be really hard. It’s important to learn step by step, but if you haven’t organized it well, you might feel overwhelmed by how much you need to remember.

5. Lack of opportunities for communication
   

   Since there aren’t many chances for communication with others in self-study, it’s difficult to develop real conversation and communication skills. Especially in environments where there aren’t many opportunities to speak Japanese, improving communication skills through self-study alone can be very challenging.

5 Measures for Self-Study (Learning Japanese)

1. Finding Language Exchange Partners
   

   You can increase your chances of having real conversations and communication by finding Japanese people to exchange languages with. To find language exchange partners, join online language exchange platforms or communities.

2. Make Japanese Environment Familiar
   

   It’s important to associate Japanese with your friends’ daily lives to learn the language. You can make Japanese environment familiar by watching Japanese TV shows or movies, and listening to Japanese music.

3. Prepare for the JLPT
   

   Studying for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) allows you to systematically learn Japanese grammar and vocabulary. Utilize online platforms like the JPLT Online Japanese Language School Metaverse Campus for effective learning. At the JPLT Online Japanese Language School’s Metaverse Campus, you can experience a real Japanese environment while learning.

4. Set Japanese Learning Goals
   

   Setting goals for learning Japanese makes it easier to maintain motivation. Set short-term and long-term goals, and steadily progress through learning while experiencing a sense of achievement.

5. Practice Continuous Learning and Review
   

   Continuous learning and review are important for learning Japanese. Engaging in learning a little bit every day increases retention. Also, regularly reviewing past learning content enhances knowledge retention and improves application skills.

    

To solve the difficulty of self-study in learning Japanese

Summary

There are many reasons why self-studying Japanese can be difficult, but it can be overcome by taking appropriate measures.
An effective way to self-study Japanese is to get opportunities for communication in Japanese in your daily life. People who take in opportunities for both input and output in a balanced manner will improve their Japanese proficiency at a faster pace.

At the same time, it’s important to deepen your understanding of cultural and language differences and establish a foundation for learning Japanese. Focusing on pronunciation and expression differences, take a step forward to build confidence through listening and speaking practice. Additionally, learning kanji and kana requires persistence, but this can be overcome through daily practice and the use of teaching materials.

To understand Japanese grammar and structure, it’s important to use textbooks and materials while practicing how to use it in real life.
To improve communication skills, it’s really effective to actively participate in conversations with language exchange partners and group activities, and also expose yourself to Japanese media and culture.

JPLT Online Japanese Language School’s Metaverse Campus is a place where Japanese language learners from all over the world can learn Japanese together for free. Here, there are many free activities and events to help you with your Japanese learning challenges.

You can learn effectively while experiencing a real Japanese environment, so please come and join us!
By setting goals for learning Japanese and regularly reviewing and continuing to learn, you can stay motivated and make progress. Even when facing the difficulty of self-study, don’t give up. Find the learning methods and schedules that work for you and progress steadily with many Japanese learning companions. In that process, I believe you’ll definitely feel your own growth.