I want to improve my Japanese, but I am too busy and to spend time for studying Japanese. Then another year went by.

I have heard similar stories so many times from my clients and me. I have to admit that I often skip my reading time and start scrolling down on Instagram instead.

Learning Japanese takes time, so if you want to improve your Japanese, you need to start now. So, today, I would like to give you three tips on how to create your learning schedule effectively even if you are busy.

1. Schedule your study time

This sounds obvious, but what I mean is to set aside study time at least three times a week. You need to decide not only what days of the week, but also what time and how long you will spend time for Japanese. It is like attending a mandatory meeting you cannot miss no matter what. I say this because I want you to improve Japanese to make your dream come true.

Furthermore, to create a new habit, it normally takes 60 days. In addition, in terms of memory, spacing and recalling are vital to turn short-term memory to long-term memory. Therefore, even though you might sometimes feel unmotivated, just do it.

2. Start small

You are always busy with work and other chores. I understand it. So firstly, start small. For example, you can write and memorize a few Kanji in 10 minutes. If you spend 10 minutes every day for Kanji, how many can you memorize? What you should do is to break down your Japanese goal into small pieces and work on them.

3. Do something you like

Starting a new habit requires a lot of energy. That’s why it is important to find learning strategies you like. For example, I love reading aloud and acting. So, when I studied English, I listened to the textbook audio, repeated it, and memorized the dialogues. Because I really enjoyed it, I used to spend an hour for that every day! How would you like to learn? What is the fun way to learn Japanese?

Lastly, please keep in mind that our brain can learn unconsciously, such as simply listening to a Japanese podcast as a background. It will be more effective if you can incorporate both conscious and unconscious learning into your learning.

Additionally, it would be helpful to find an accountable Japanese study partner. Of course, you can encourage each other, but you can also learn from each other, including discussing learning strategies, providing feedback, and more. Working with a Japanese language coach is another way to stay motivated and work toward your goal.

I hope that these tips will help you create a learning schedule. Last but least, have fun learning Japanese!

Please share your experience and thoughts down below. I am looking forward to hearing from you.