In a couple of days, we will enter 2023, so I think this would be a good moment to reflect on this year’s language learning progress. Unfortunately, I have not made any specific study goals for 2022. Which makes it hard to see how much my languages have improved. But, I will try to mention everything that I did and achieved in every language.
I have also made a YouTube video on this subject, click here to watch 🙂
Japanese
Japanese is my focus language and I have been learning it seriously for almost 3 years (and even more on and off). In 2020, I studied the most and learned most of the basics. Since then, I have grown in knowledge from JPLT N5 to N4 level. I did this in two years, so quite slowly. This year, I mostly focused on Kanji and did almost nothing for my speaking skills. I still have a lot of difficulties in my speaking and listening skills, and I start to miss the grammar when I try to make a solid sentence. I have not been consistent with the resources and methods in my learning process, so I used a lot of different apps, books, and YouTube channels in my learning.
Over the year, I did the following things to improve my Japanese skills:
- Listening to the news in the mornings and making notes of new vocabulary (did this every day for a month and later on once a week). I did see improvement in my understanding of the content. However, I do not have the time to do this every morning, so it is hard to be consistent.
- Kanji learning through WaniKani. I am still at level 7, and I have a long list of reviews waiting for me. It is a little bit demotivating to see the review pile up and not be able to do new lessons.
- I did use the Bunpo app (grammar study app) a couple of times and finished almost all JLPT N5 lessons. I also watched YouTube videos about specific grammar points and made some notes.
- Reading texts, I did mostly with the Satori Reader app, but sometimes I used LingQ. LingQ has more (interesting) content, but Satori Reader has better translation and explanations.
- In October, I started using ‘’Remembering the Kanji’’ method by James Heisig. Right now, I am in lesson 4.
- Other apps that I have used: Kanji!, Renshuu, Kanji Garden, Duolingo, and Easy Japanese News.
During the year I did something for Japanese almost every day (definitely every week). This makes me proud because I have at least been consistent at that. Next year, I would like to focus more on grammar and reading. I had not found the time to seriously work on other languages that I am interested in (Chinese and Korean).
Spanish
Spanish is a recent addition to my language learning list. I started it in November of 2021 and continued learning in 2022. Mostly through YouTube with the addition of Duolingo. I am still at a very basic level, but it felt nice to also focus on a language wherein I could progress faster compared to Japanese.
I want to continue learning Spanish in the new year by starting to read books in Spanish.
English
I think my biggest improvement has been in English since I had to use it a lot during my University courses. I wrote a large number of essays and read countless scientific and philosophical articles. I think that 90% of the books that I have read in 2022 have been in English as well.
Overall, I am quite content with the progress that I have made in these languages. I wish that I had done more for Japanese, yet I am glad that I did not stop learning it for a long period of time. This time, for 2023, I did make specific goals for my language learning. So that next year I could reflect on my learning in more detail. I also think that having a certain goal to work towards, will make me more motivated. If you want to see what I will be focusing on in 2023, read further here.
For a short review of the apps that I use for Japanese, click here.
To see my review of the book ”Remembering the Kanji”, click here.
Discover more from MariaTheMillennial
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
MariaTheMillennial 
Leave a comment