How I Learned Fluent Japanese (With No STRESS!)

Summary

In this engaging video, the host shares their experience of recording in the bustling streets of Tokyo, reflecting on the fun and challenges of capturing content amidst the city's vibrant noise. They also reveal a personal moment of nostalgia, as it's been a while since they last filmed in the space. Additionally, the host announces an exclusive 50% discount on Migaku's lifetime plan for Tokyo Lens fans, sharing the discount code with viewers while emphasizing their respect for privacy. The video concludes with a friendly thank you to the audience for joining the journey.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker is recording in the middle of Tokyo, highlighting the vibrant and noisy environment.
• 😀 There's a playful and informal tone in the script, as the speaker interacts with their surroundings.
• 😀 The speaker mentions missing a specific space they haven't climbed into in a while.
• 😀 An email from Migaku is shared, offering a 50% discount on their lifetime plan for Tokyo Lens fans.
• 😀 The speaker mentions the email is 'cute' but decides not to share it publicly due to privacy concerns.
• 😀 A discount code for Migaku's lifetime plan is provided in the video, encouraging viewers to check it out.
• 😀 The speaker expresses gratitude towards their audience for watching and engaging.
• 😀 There is a strong sense of community and connection with the Tokyo Lens audience, emphasized by the discount offer.
• 😀 The script conveys a casual and friendly interaction with the viewers, balancing promotional content with personal moments.
• 😀 The speaker maintains a focus on providing value to their audience, with special offers and insider information.

Q & A

What were the four stages of learning Japanese mentioned in the video?

The four stages of learning Japanese mentioned are: 1) Basics, 2) Conversation, 3) Specialized or useful Japanese, and 4) Over 9,000 (fluency and confidence).

How did the speaker start learning Japanese in high school?

The speaker started learning Japanese in high school after being challenged by a teacher. The teacher offered a Japanese-English dictionary if the speaker could learn Hiragana within a month. The speaker accepted and began by learning the basic sounds of Japanese (A, I, U, E, O) and then proceeded to learn Hiragana.

What methods did the speaker use to learn Hiragana effectively?

The speaker learned Hiragana by using a pronunciation guide in a Japanese-English dictionary, downloading worksheets from the internet, practicing writing and verbalizing the characters, and even incorporating them into their school notes.

What is the importance of 'obsession' in the learning process according to the speaker?

The speaker emphasizes the importance of becoming 'obsessed' with learning Japanese, which helped them improve quickly. This obsession meant constantly practicing and integrating Japanese into daily life, even if it felt unusual or intense at times.

What role did the speaker's Japanese friends play in improving their language skills?

The speaker’s Japanese friends, many of whom were studying abroad, played a crucial role in helping them improve their Japanese skills. By immersing themselves in conversations and copying the language as spoken by native speakers, the speaker learned to communicate more naturally and confidently.

How does the speaker feel about making mistakes when speaking Japanese?

The speaker notes that making mistakes in Japanese is not only acceptable but is often met with corrections and support from Japanese speakers. They emphasize that it’s important to speak with confidence and comfort, even if mistakes are made, as this leads to more effective learning.

What tool does the speaker recommend for language learning, and what makes it useful?

The speaker recommends the Migaku platform, which includes a browser extension that allows learners to study Japanese directly from subtitles in dramas, anime, and blogs. This tool helps integrate language learning into daily life by creating flashcards and reinforcing vocabulary context.

What advice does the speaker give regarding choosing language learning tools?

The speaker advises choosing a learning tool that you genuinely enjoy using, whether it’s a book, app, or browser extension. The key is consistency and integrating it into your daily routine, ensuring it’s something you will use every day.

How does the concept of 'comfort' over 'skill' relate to learning Japanese?

The speaker stresses that comfort is more important than skill when learning Japanese. It's not about speaking perfectly but about speaking confidently and without fear of making mistakes. The goal is to communicate and become comfortable in various situations.

What does the speaker mean by 'Gomakasu' in the context of learning Japanese?

'Gomakasu' refers to the concept of sidestepping or going around a problem. In the context of language learning, it’s about finding ways to communicate even if you don’t know a specific word. The Japanese language often allows for implied meanings, so you can get by without always using perfect sentences.