Way of thinking for improving your Japanese study 「Active Learner」

2024/01/13

Have you ever felt anxious about studying Japanese because you couldn’t feel the progress or couldn’t see the goal? It often happens to any learners who are learning about anything.

However, sometimes things can get better with just a little change in mindset.

In this article, I would like to recommend becoming an “active learner” as a way out of such a situation.

Have you ever heard of the “active learner”?

An active learner is someone who is able to learn actively rather than passively. This way of thinking is very useful for improving your Japanese study.

First, let’s determine whether you are an active learner.

Please answer the checkpoints below with yes/no.

1. Your goals are clear (what level you want to reach by when).

2. Understand the benefits of tackling each issue.

3. You are aware of what you have achieved and what you have not achieved.

4. You always express your own opinions and thoughts during the class.

5. Investing money and time in learning.

6. It’s not forced on anyone.

The more of the above items that apply to you, the more likely you are to have the characteristics of an active learner, and likely to continue for a long time and be more effective.

By implementing active learning, opportunities for output will naturally increase, so you will naturally acquire skills such as writing, speaking, and presenting. Since the premise is that you communicate on your own, your conversation skills will improve tremendously.

To become an active learner, you must first have a clear goal. So the first thing you need to do is find out how much study time you need.

It is generally said that it takes about 150 hours of study time to improve your language skills for the next level, for example from N5 to N4, or from N4 to N3. Furthermore, the dates for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test are set, so if you have decided on the level you want to reach, all you have to do is count backwards and you will be able to find out how much study time you will need each day.

It is also important to keep your own records as your learning progresses. By writing down the vocabulary, grammar,kanjis, etc. that you have memorized that day, and allowing the learners to visualize and become aware of the amount of time left, the effectiveness of their learning will be greatly increased. Teachers usually do this, but it’s even more effective if the students do it themselves.

At our Japanese language school, you can take one free trial lesson before applying. Therefore, it may be a good idea to check your current level of Japanese and consult with a professional Japanese language teacher to find out how much time it will take to reach your target level, and make a study plan.

We hope that your Japanese learning will be more efficient and fruitful this year.

Teacher YUKI wrote this article

Qualifications:Completed 420-hour Japanese language teacher training course
I started my career at a Japanese language school in Bolivia and have been teaching at Nihongo online school since 2019.

Experience:I myself am interested in foreign cultures and languages, so I find it very stimulating to meet students from different backgrounds and share lesson time with them.
I am always happy when students are able to express themselves well in the Japanese they have just learned, and I feel happy to be teaching.