Have you ever said, ‘I’ll start studying tomorrow,’ for five days in a row? Then finally thought, ‘Maybe learning a language is just not for me’? Trust me, as a Japanese teacher, I’ve been there too.

 

 

Why a Japanese Teacher Learns a New Language

 

People often ask, “Why do you study French when you already teach Japanese?” The answer is simple: I want to remember the struggle. By becoming a “student,” I can better understand your feelings—the frustration of forgetting words and the joy of finally being understood.

 

 

Practical Tips: My “15-Minute” Study Routine

 

To pass the exam while working, I used the Japanese method “Keizoku wa chikara nari” (Consistency is key).

I focused on these 2 patterns of 15-minute sessions:

 

Type 1: The Listening Flow (Daily Focus)

• 10 mins: Listening & Shadowing (Ear training)

• 5 mins: Quick Vocabulary check

 

Type 2: The Grammar Review (Weekend Follow-up)

• 10 mins: Reviewing difficult grammar from the weekend’s past paper

• 5 mins: Quick Vocabulary check

 

Weekends: Practice with Past Papers

 

During the week, I kept it short. On weekends, I faced Past Papers. This helped me understand my weak points and manage my time for the actual test.

 

 

The Most Important Thing: Switching Your Brain Daily

 

The real secret to language success isn’t just memorizing words. The most important thing is making time every day to switch your brain into the target language. Even for just 15 minutes, you must force your brain to stop thinking in your native language and start ‘living’ in Japanese (or for me, French). Whether it’s the 200-word blitz or listening to shadowing, these 15 minutes tell your brain: ‘This language is a part of my life now.’

 

Advice for Japanese Learners

 

Learning Japanese is a marathon, not a sprint. Don’t aim for perfection. If you’re feeling stuck, just try 15 minutes tomorrow morning. Consistency is your superpower

 

How do you switch your brain to Japanese? Let me know in the comments!

 

 

Test Preparation – C.C.Rainbow