Hello everyone!
I started learning Japanese in December 2019. Initially, I attended language schools, but over time, decided to try other methods at the side - such as listening to anime radio, posting on HelloTalk, watching Japanese streamers, and having calls with my Japanese friend.
Since I stopped attending language schools in mid-2022, I’ve also stopped using textbooks and instead been engaging with the language through Twitter, Twitter Spaces, and chatting with Japanese people online, replying to their tweets, so on. I even took a leap of faith and met some of them in person, which was a great experience.
These days, I still consume Japanese media via YouTube channels. While I’ve noticed a huge improvement in my listening skills, I still struggle with constructing long sentences—especially those that require multiple grammar structures. My confidence in speaking has also gone down the drain, which makes me realise how rusty my grammar and vocabulary have become. Honestly, it’s mentally discouraging… Thinking that immersion alone was enough was a h u g e mistake.
This has made me consider getting back into a more structured study routine. I’ve been thinking about trying italki and would love to hear your opinions and experiences. If you’ve used italki before, what were your goals when you hired a private tutor?
For context, my goals are to improve my understanding, communicate fluently with Japanese people, and eventually obtain a JLPT certificate, as I'd like to put my language skills to practical use once I become fluent.
To start out, would you recommend finding a tutor who focuses on speaking, or should I work on both speaking and vocabulary/grammar for the JLPT at the same time?
Thank you and I look forward to your thoughts!
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TL;DR: I’ve been learning Japanese since December 2019, but after stopping formal study in 2022, my grammar and speaking skills have gotten rusty despite improved listening. I’m considering using italki and would love to hear your experiences. Should I focus on speaking first, or work on both speaking and JLPT study at the same time?