How I did it: 2 years preparatory course locally, to learn basic Japanese, enough to take Japanese Proficiency Test Level 3 & 2.

During this time, I listened to lots of Japanese pop - J-pop is just awesome! I like to read the lyrics even though I can understand almost nothing. And then do some dictation with the music, just for listening training. Listening to the music really helps me with Japanese phrases.

And then, 4 years undergraduate in Japan. Here I get involved socially with as many Japanese friends as I can. They're really friendly (if you are willing to start the conversation in Japanese first - doesn't matter how bad), and most willing to be a friend.

They were really great at explaining things more slowly when I couldn't understand a joke or something (imagine telling a joke and everyone else was laughing, and then suddenly this foreigner suddenly asks you to explain again what the joke was about).

Watch Japanese TV. Learn their stand up comedy trend - the youngsters follow this quite loyally. If you can watch Japanese stand up comedy and laugh - *you've done it! You've learned Japanese!*

Resources:

• Watch J-drama
• Listen to J-pop
• Kanji - no choice, you just need to memorize - by writing thousands of times, and practicing.
• Get Japanese friends - they're great!

May 23, 06:44PM PDT | 2 comments | 6 cheers