I’ve talked about the first two steps to start learning Japanese on your own in my last blog. Today, let’s move on to the third step! 

3. Planning

Now, it’s time for planning. Depending on your reason and ability, you should first identify which areas you want to improve. I highly recommend that you choose one for grammar and another for actual language use. For example, to land your dream job in Japan, you might want to improve Keigo (grammar focus) and interview skills (performance focus). If you have several areas to work on, make a list and choose the one you would like to improve the most. Second, set a deadline. The smaller the goal is, the easier you can accomplish. Lastly, make a schedule. To make yourself accountable, it would be better to schedule the exact time for studying Japanese and write down what kind of activities you will do. 

4: Reflection

Keeping a reflective journal would be helpful for not only checking your growth regularly, but also for improving your learning strategies. You are not required to write a journal entry every day, but once a week or every other week would be helpful. One of the essential elements of the reflective journal is to write down how you can improve your learning. Is your current learning strategy effective? Otherwise, what else can you do to make it work?

5. Be your own cheerleader

Learning on your own is not easy. It would be great if you could find an accountability partner. But if not, do not forget to celebrate your small wins and keep encouraging yourself. There are times when you feel discouraged, but trust yourself and keep going! 

I hope that these five steps have given you some helpful tips and tools to continue your progress. Remember, learning a language is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes time, effort, and dedication to master any language, but the rewards are immeasurable. By following these steps and staying committed to your goals. I believe you will be on your way to achieving fluency in Japanese. がんばってください！(Good luck!)