Tell your success stories!

[kanjibaka]

First, I want to hear about Peter's whole story about how he went from zero to hero in Nihongo. I want know how many hours a day he studied, where he studied, I want to hear about times when it was rough and he almost gave up.

And, I want to hear about your breakthroughs, and revelations, and tell about a time when you were SOOO glad for every moment you spent studying.

And I hope everyone else (non-natives, or course) joins in too.

[jkeyz15]

First.....decrease the text size for us please. Thank you.

[sashimidimsum7250]

My feeling is that you won't get many success stories told, not because there are none, but rather because they might sound too much like boasting.

You'll notice how most people here are very humble about their Japanese abilities.

[jkeyz15]

Yeah. I kind of agree with ochazuke above.

As for mine, I don't have a sucess story. My story is not a sucess..

[moejoe56]

I am not good at Nihongo.


I do think here are people out there who will share their accomplishments and the struggles that went along with it.

I certainly would not regard it as boasting, unless it is.


You know, I met this guy one time who said he learned kanji by starting with one on a road sign and then just looking at the associated meaning and then just 'got it'. This guy was full of crap.

I have put a ton of time into this and it is still a struggle and I doubt if I could pass the level 3.

I lived in Japan too long to even tell you, and I have sometimes been passed up by people.

But, I am still proud of what I accomplished.


And, even though you guys say that you have not been successful, I still find your words inspiring because I feel like I am not alone.

So, thanks for your words.


But, there can be no doubt that Peter is a success story and I would like to read about how he and others did it.

Also, I like that font size so I will leave it.

[Javizy]

Firstly, thanks for appreciating the needs of the visually impaired I don't have any success stories as such, just developments in my ability that I have found rewarding.

I recently rewatched a TV series and found myself at least being able to pick out one or two words from each sentence, and in some cases understanding entire lines or sections of dialogue. When I first watched it, I'd be lucky to pick out 10-20 words per episode, so it's really encouraging. Similarly with reading, it takes me far less time to break things down, and whenever I see anything in full kanji that I can easily read, it makes all the effort seem worth it.

It's relative to the individual, so I suppose the rewards you get depend on your reasons for studying. For me, learning a second language was an ambition for a long time, so studying is something of a hobby for me, and as long as I steadily progress and learn new things, I'm happy with the way things are.

[Psy]

Well, for a small success story, I recently found that I understood over half of a particular 3 minute news clip. For me they are still frightfully difficult, so when I reached the halfway point of this particular clip, it was quite the surprise to realize I was actually following the reporter's words. Of course, the next clip I tried this with left me lost in a sea of unfamiliar vocabulary, but this small success proves I'm getting somewhere... and for that I can't help but feel some pride.

[kanjibaka]

I find Japanesepod101.com to be the best thing that has happened to my Japanese because there is something daily, pushing me along.

Even though I spent a while in Japan, my Japanese is still not all that good. there is only one reason for that. Lack of study.

I would sometimes spent a year without studying at all. Mainly because it seemed impossible, or someone would ridicule me.

Somehow, I became more interested in studying Japanese after I came back. I guess because it had become part of me, and I missed it.

Then when I see people doing good, or see people struggling and overcoming some obstacles, like the poster in this thread, I get motivated again.

Thanks!

[WalterWills]

I would sometimes spent a year without studying at all. Mainly because it seemed impossible, or someone would ridicule me.

Really? In what way? That's a terrible thing to do!



As for my own success stories...I'm still very much a beginner so I haven't had many special moments yet. But, everytime I understand a sentence or phrase from somewhere that isn't aimed at people learning the language, i.e. from a film or the internet, it's great, especially when there's Kanji involved.

[sashimidimsum7250]

I would sometimes spent a year without studying at all. Mainly because it seemed impossible, or someone would ridicule me.

Really? In what way? That's a terrible thing to do!

I second that. What kind of jerk would ridicule you for studying?

[markystar]

I second that. What kind of jerk would ridicule you for studying?

probably a very ignorant jerk

hard to get any better without studying, learning japanese by osmosis is difficult. hehehe

[sashimidimsum7250]

probably a very ignorant jerk

For sure. I'm still hoping kanjibaka won't say it was his friends that were ridiculing him.

If so, get new friends.

[Elfunko]

Ive spent a lot of time studying. And now 10 months in Japan. Success story..... I got my girly to kiss her friend a bunch the other day, with the photo to prove it. Then she treated me to a really expensive love hotel. I guess thats a success story.... But really, I look forward to new success stories.

lol. But seriously, on the topic of studies, Id like to be able to converse in depth on any virtually any topic. To be able to argue with someone on a topic in Japanese. When I can do that, then I have reached my goal. At the moment that looks like, at my current pace of study will take a few years. Right now I study about 3+ hours a day (sometimes take days off too), live in a male dormitory, etc. Before this I spent a month in Niseko workin in my friends izakaya and livin with 2 other guys there. Lots of Japanese only environments. Just takes dedication and a hard work ethic.

[Elfunko]

Now that I posted some success stories, I wonder if Peter and Marky will too. Well, then again I dont have to keep a squeky clean facade on this public forum so....

[moejoe56]

I want to learn to say

"you know my Japanese is not very good, but I lose the desire to improve when I am always ridiculed"