Japanese Language Learning Goals 2026

In 2025, I haven’t made as much progress in the Japanese language as I planned to. In the first half of the year, I was focused on studying for the JLPT N3 exam, but due to a lack of time, I did not stick to my study plan and eventually failed the exam. It was not a complete failure; I still improved through studying and participating. Still, I feel, for yet another year, stuck in the lower-intermediate level. Thus, I thought it would be good to reexamine my goals for this language and make a more realistic plan for 2026.

First, I will reduce the amount of chaos in my study methods. Currently, I feel scattered among the various language learning resources I use. I think it would be better to stick to no more than three resources for the next year. I decided to include the following: Satori Reader, Kanshudo, and one physical book. Satori Reader will be the main resource, because I want to improve my reading and listening skills, and this is exactly what the app focuses on. I will supplement my learning by daily listening to podcasts or YouTube videos and the reading of ふしぎ駄菓子屋 銭天堂. I want to highlight one Podcast and YouTube channel in particular: YUYUの日本語Podcast. YuYu has a lot of interesting content on his channel at a comprehensive, intermediate level of language. And he is also collaborating with Satori Reader, where you can find exclusive stories recorded for this app and where you can easily read along with the text. See my list of YouTube channels for learning Japanese if you want more native content recommendations.

Kanshudo will remain my main dictionary website, and I will continue with the intermediate lessons there. If I have some more time to spend, then I try to do my kanji and vocabulary reviews there too.

Goals

• Focus on one learning resource the majority of the time: Satori Reader
• Read one book: ふしぎ駄菓子屋 銭天堂
• Improve reading and listening skills (being able to understand N3 content)

Planned Activities for Goal Achievement

Reading

• Read an average of three pages per week
• Finish reading one book in Japanese
• Read at least three complete stories on Satori Reader

Listening

• Daily listening to native podcasts or YouTube videos
• Focus on the podcast/YouTube channel of YUYUの日本語Podcast
• Listening to the stories on Satori Reader multiple times and going through all of them

JLPT N3 Knowledge (listening, reading, kanji & vocab, grammar)

• Kanshudo: Complete all intermediate lessons (55 total), right now, I’m in lesson 10
• Kanshudo: Reach JLPT N3 progress of 70%
• Satori Reader: doing weekly reviews
• WaniKani: reach level 30

Second, I’m not aiming to participate in the JLPT examination in 2026. The JLPT exam is only taken once in the Netherlands, in July, and you can apply in March. If I find myself confident enough in my knowledge in March, maybe I would consider applying. But it is definitely not the main focus of my study plan. It could turn out to be better to study for yet another year and then apply in 2027.

I think this plan is more realistic because it has a clear focus and not too many distractions. For now, I do not have much time in a day to spend on studying, so less is more, and I need to keep my long-term goal in mind when choosing the right resource. The long-term goal for me has always been to enjoy native content (books, movies, podcasts, etc.) comfortably, thus being fluent in reading and listening. Speaking and writing are less important for now.

For three years, I have been trying to finish reading ふしぎ駄菓子屋 銭天堂, and I failed every year. Reading one page in this book takes me an hour at least, and I quickly lose patience. I hope to improve my reading through Satori Reader stories and finally be able to finish this book, too. I have to let go of the idea of understanding everything and stop looking up every word or kanji. The aim should be understanding the essence of the story, knowing what’s going on and which words are really important to keep track of.

Let’s see what the year will bring. I wish you all a lot of luck and motivation with your study goals. Let me know in the comments what your plans are.

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