How to study Japanese independently

The idea

Choose one concrete goal, such as reading a short message. Use one structured beginner course, learn kana alongside useful words, and combine short reading, listening and recall sessions. Keep a note of doubts and check them in a dictionary or with a teacher or language partner. Revisit difficult material after a few days and adjust your plan.

Examples

• 毎朝まいあさ、日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうします。I study Japanese every morning.
• 日本語にほんごの言葉ことばをノートに書かきます。I write Japanese words in a notebook.
• 短みじかい話はなしを読よみます。I read a short story.
• 分わからない言葉ことばを辞書じしょで調しらべます。I look up words I don’t understand in a dictionary.
• 友達ともだちに質問しつもんします。I ask a friend a question.
• 明日あした、もう一度いちど練習れんしゅうします。I will practise again tomorrow.

Watch out

Studying alone need not mean guessing alone. Avoid collecting resources without using them or measuring progress only by hours.

Try it yourself

1. Choose using the Japanese examples: いつ日本語にほんごを勉強べんきょうしますか。（毎朝まいあさ／毎晩まいばん）

   Show answer or example answer

   毎朝 / まいあさ

   The example says: I study Japanese every morning.

2. Choose using the Japanese examples: 分わからない言葉ことばを何なにで調しらべますか。（辞書じしょ／カメラ）

   Show answer or example answer

   辞書 / じしょ

   The example says: I look up words I don’t understand in a dictionary.

3. Choose using the Japanese examples: 明日あした、もう一度いちど何なにをしますか。（練習れんしゅう／料理りょうり）

   Show answer or example answer

   練習 / れんしゅう

   The example says: I will practise again tomorrow.

Use it today

Set one goal for this week, schedule two short sessions and note one question to check.