How Long It Takes to Learn Japanese (and how to make a study schedule)

ToKini Andy

7 May 202310:01

Summary

TLDRThis video addresses common questions about learning Japanese, emphasizing the need for realistic expectations and consistent effort. It explains that the time required to learn Japanese varies based on daily study time, personal commitments, and study methods. The video highlights the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) levels and the hours needed to pass each. It stresses the importance of balancing study and immersion, learning kanji, and tailoring a study schedule that includes vocabulary, grammar, and engaging with Japanese media. The key message is to be honest about your goals and sacrifices, and to commit to regular practice.

Takeaways

😕 The idea of becoming fluent in Japanese in a short time is unrealistic without considering personal circumstances and study habits.
⏰ The amount of time one can dedicate daily to studying Japanese is a critical factor in determining progress and language proficiency.
🎮 Willingness to sacrifice leisure activities, such as gaming, is essential for making significant strides in language learning.
📊 The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) levels indicate the hours of study required to achieve each level, with N5 to N1 representing increasing proficiency.
📚 Studying for 30 minutes a day might take years to achieve even the lowest JLPT level, emphasizing the need for more substantial daily study time.
📈 Three hours of daily study and exposure to the language can significantly speed up the learning process, potentially allowing one to pass N3 in a year.
🌐 Immersion involves getting a lot of input through listening and reading, but it also requires active study, such as looking up unknown words and studying kanji.
📚 Regardless of the method, a combination of targeted study and immersion is beneficial for language acquisition.
📅 A practical and enjoyable study schedule is crucial for maintaining consistency and achieving language learning goals.
📝 Learning kanji is an important aspect of studying Japanese, and dedicating time to it daily can be beneficial, especially if time is limited.
🔄 Adjusting and personalizing the study schedule to fit one's lifestyle and maintaining consistency is key to making progress in language learning.

Q & A

What factors determine how much Japanese one can learn in a certain period?
-The factors include the amount of time available for study each day, the tools used for learning, the learner's current responsibilities (e.g., being a student or a parent), and their prior knowledge of other languages.
Why is it difficult to answer the question 'How much Japanese can I learn in six months?'
-It is difficult to answer because the amount of progress depends on various personal factors such as daily study time, study methods, and the learner's individual circumstances and prior language experience.
What is the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) and what are its levels?
-The JLPT is a test that measures Japanese language proficiency. It has five levels, ranging from N5 (the lowest) to N1 (the highest).
How many hours of study and exposure are needed on average to pass the JLPT N5 level?
-An average student who doesn't know Chinese characters needs about 462 hours of study and exposure to pass the JLPT N5 level.
How long would it take to pass the JLPT N5 level with 30 minutes of study per day?
-At 30 minutes of study per day, it would take approximately 924 days, or about 2.5 years, to pass the JLPT N5 level.
What level of Japanese proficiency does the JLPT N3 represent?
-The JLPT N3 level represents a stage where learners start to really be able to understand and communicate in Japanese, provided they have practiced speaking.
How many hours of study are required on average to pass the JLPT N3 level?
-To pass the JLPT N3 level, an average of 1,325 hours of study and exposure is needed.
How can one reach JLPT N3 level proficiency in a shorter period?
-One can reach JLPT N3 level proficiency in a shorter period by studying for longer periods each day. For example, three hours of study per day could enable passing the N3 level in a little over a year.
What is the role of immersion in language learning according to the transcript?
-Immersion involves getting lots of input through listening and reading in the target language. It is important for language learning, but should be complemented with targeted studying, such as looking up unknown words and making flashcards.
What is a suggested daily study schedule for learning Japanese?
-A suggested schedule includes 30 minutes to an hour per day for kanji, 30 minutes for vocabulary flashcards, and 15 to 30 minutes for grammar study. Additional time can be spent on fun activities like watching TV shows or reading in Japanese.
Why is it important to mix structured study and immersion activities?
-Mixing structured study and immersion activities is important because it makes the learning process more enjoyable and sustainable. Structured study provides a foundation in grammar and vocabulary, while immersion helps in practical application and maintaining interest.
How should one handle days when they feel unmotivated to study Japanese?
-On days when motivation is low, one should still commit to doing at least a small amount of study, such as five minutes of flashcards or watching a short anime episode. This helps maintain consistency and progress.

Outlines

00:00

📅 Planning Japanese Language Study: Realistic Expectations

This paragraph addresses common questions about learning Japanese, like how much one can learn in a specific timeframe. It emphasizes the importance of understanding one's own schedule, dedication, and available study time. It outlines the necessity of honesty about personal sacrifices, such as reducing time spent on hobbies like gaming, to make substantial progress in learning Japanese. The focus is on setting realistic expectations and committing time consistently.

05:00

📊 Understanding JLPT and Study Time Requirements

Here, the paragraph discusses the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) levels and the average study hours required to pass each level. It highlights that passing the lowest level, N5, typically takes around 462 hours of study, which translates to approximately 2.5 years at 30 minutes per day. For higher levels like N3, which allows for basic communication, it requires 1,325 hours, achievable in about a year with three hours of daily study. The importance of daily exposure and varied study methods is underscored.

💬 Balancing Study Methods: Immersion vs. Structured Learning

This paragraph explores the debate between immersion and structured studying. It argues that while immersion (listening, reading, etc.) is crucial, it must be supplemented with structured learning, especially for languages with complex scripts like Japanese. The text criticizes the notion that immersion alone is sufficient, explaining that targeted studying and making flashcards are necessary for effective learning. The paragraph emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to language acquisition.

📚 Combining Fun and Practical Study Techniques

The final paragraph outlines a practical study schedule that incorporates both fun and essential learning activities. It suggests dedicating time to kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and immersive activities like watching TV shows or reading in Japanese. The importance of consistency and adapting the schedule to one's daily life is emphasized, with a recommendation to engage with the language daily, even for a few minutes. The paragraph concludes with a motivational note, encouraging learners to find a sustainable study routine.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is a standardized test to evaluate and certify Japanese language proficiency for non-native speakers. It has five levels, from N5 (beginner) to N1 (advanced). In the video, the speaker uses the JLPT as a benchmark to discuss how many study hours are typically required to achieve different levels of proficiency.

💡Study Schedule

A study schedule is a structured plan that allocates specific times for learning activities. The video emphasizes the importance of creating a realistic and consistent study schedule tailored to the learner's daily availability and goals. The speaker advises incorporating various activities like kanji practice, vocabulary, grammar study, and immersion into the schedule.

💡Kanji

Kanji are the logographic characters used in the modern Japanese writing system, originating from Chinese characters. The video highlights the necessity of learning kanji for reading and writing in Japanese. The speaker suggests dedicating 30 minutes to an hour daily to kanji study as part of the study schedule.

💡Immersion

Immersion refers to the process of surrounding oneself with the target language through various forms of input, such as listening, reading, and interacting with native content. In the video, the speaker discusses the benefits and limitations of immersion, stressing that while it is important, it should be complemented with targeted studying.

💡Input

Input in language learning refers to exposure to the target language through listening and reading. The video stresses the importance of getting a lot of input to improve comprehension and proficiency. Examples include watching Japanese TV shows, listening to podcasts, and reading books.

💡Vocabulary

Vocabulary refers to the body of words used in a particular language. The video recommends dedicating time daily to learning new vocabulary, suggesting the use of flashcards as an effective method. Building a strong vocabulary is essential for understanding and communicating in Japanese.

💡Grammar

Grammar is the set of structural rules that govern the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in a language. The speaker in the video advises studying one or two new grammar points each day, which helps in constructing correct sentences and understanding the language better.

💡Exposure

Exposure refers to the amount of time spent interacting with the language through various means. The video states that consistent exposure to Japanese is crucial for language acquisition, combining study and practical usage through media, conversations, and other resources.

💡Fluency

Fluency is the ability to speak a language easily and accurately. The video discusses the unrealistic expectation of achieving fluency in a very short time, such as three months, emphasizing that reaching a significant level of proficiency requires consistent effort and time.

💡Sacrifice

Sacrifice in the context of language learning refers to giving up other activities to allocate more time for studying. The video underscores the necessity of prioritizing Japanese study over other hobbies or commitments if one aims to make substantial progress in a short period.

Highlights

New language learners often ask about the amount of Japanese they should know in six months or how to become fluent in three months.

The time you can dedicate to studying Japanese daily, and the tools and resources you use, significantly affect your progress.

Understanding your personal schedule and commitments is crucial in determining how much time you can devote to learning Japanese.

To pass the lowest level (N5) of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), an average student needs approximately 462 hours of study.

At 30 minutes per day, it would take about 2.5 years to pass the N5 level, which still leaves the learner struggling with basic Japanese.

Passing the N3 level, where you start to understand and communicate effectively, requires around 1,325 hours of study.

At 30 minutes per day, it would take about seven years to reach the N3 level of proficiency.

Increasing your daily study time to three hours can significantly reduce the time needed to pass the N3 level to a little over a year.

Combining various activities like studying, watching anime, reading, and practicing speaking can make the learning process more engaging and effective.

Immersion, which involves getting lots of input through listening and reading, is an important part of language learning, but it should be combined with targeted studying.

Relying solely on immersion without studying kanji or vocabulary can extend the time needed to learn Japanese.

Having a foundational knowledge of grammar and vocabulary can make immersion in native content easier and less frustrating.

Balancing between structured studying and immersive activities can make the learning process more enjoyable and sustainable.

Consistency in daily study, even if it's just for five minutes on challenging days, is crucial for steady progress.

A flexible study schedule that includes kanji practice, vocabulary learning, grammar study, and engaging with native content can lead to effective language acquisition.