One Character at a time
Today, I realized something important: I need to get serious about my Kanji reading. And as soon as that thought hit me, I couldn’t stop my brain from spiraling. Suddenly, I had this deep revelation: My current struggle with learning Japanese is probably exactly what my kids go through when they’re learning English. So, I paused and thought, “How do we learn a second language? And how do we do it effectively?”
I couldn’t help but reflect on these questions and think about my students. The truth is, language learning wasn’t too difficult for me. In the Philippines, English is one of the official languages, alongside Filipino. I don’t even remember learning English because it was just… everywhere. My kindergarten days? Everything was taught in English. The books? English. If you went to the grocery store? English. Heck, even my mom would sometimes say, “Can you hand me the ‘thingamajig’?” and I’d know exactly what she meant.
But in Japan, it’s a different story. While kids do study English in school, it’s just one subject out of many, and outside the classroom, it’s almost all Japanese all the time. At home, my Filipino family would use English to make sure we’d be prepared when school started. It’s just how we did it, and it worked.
But what does this have to do with my struggle with Kanji, you ask? Absolutely nothing, except that my brain sometimes likes to wander to the most random places when I need to procrastinate. I mean, really procrastinate. If I’m being honest, I’m not lazy. I actually love learning. Studying and writing notes? Oh, that was my thing in school. But why, oh why, is learning Kanji so… well, mind-boggling?
The Japanese language is a maze, and Kanji is the wicked labyrinth we all have to get through. Even when counting objects, you need to use different words depending on the object: flat things, long things, round things, insects - I mean, does the list ever end? And Kanji readings? Forget about it. Just when I think I’ve got one right, I find out there’s a whole new reading I didn’t even know existed.
But hey, at least with speaking, I’m confident that I can understand and speak about 80-85% of the language. Sounds pretty good, right? So you might ask, “Why bother studying more?” Well, here’s the thing: I’ve got my sights set on the Japan Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). This test has five levels, with N5 being the easiest and N1 being the hardest (and trust me, N1 is no joke). Even native Japanese people struggle to pass N1, so yeah, it’s not exactly a walk in the park.
But here’s the catch: I’m determined to pass it. I’m going all the way to N1. Sure, it’s going to be a crazy journey, but I’m ready for it. I want to live here like a local, not just as someone who knows how to order sushi and say “thank you” (although, let’s be honest, those are also key skills). I want to open doors to new opportunities, and learning the language like a true native is the way to do it. In Japan, fluently bilingual people aren’t as common as you’d think. Sure, a lot of people know some English, but being truly fluent in both English and Japanese is rare. And that’s exactly what I want to be. It’ll take time and effort, but I know I can do it.
So, to pass N1, I need to learn 2,000 Kanji and 10,000 words. Yes, you read that right. 2,000 Kanji. 10,000 words. Are you already dizzy? It’s okay; I am, too. But, like they say, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” So, here I go- step one: Kanji.
I’m committed to learning, no matter what it takes. With determination in my heart (and maybe a good cup of tea), I’ll make it happen. It’s not going to be easy, and there will be days when I’ll want to throw in the towel. But I know I’m doing this for more than just a test; it’s for the chance to truly immerse myself in the culture, to connect with people on a deeper level, and to be a part of this incredible country in a way that only language can allow.
Every Kanji character I learn brings me a little closer to my goal. Every new word, every reading, and every little breakthrough is a reminder that progress is progress, no matter how small. There will be challenges, of course, but with determination and a dash of humor, I’ll tackle each one as it comes.
So, help me keep my fingers crossed. I’m determined to hit this goal in less than two years, and I hope you’ll be here to cheer me on. Maybe you’re on your own journey, learning something new, too. Whatever it is, let’s keep each other motivated. Let’s make this a fun ride. Until then, let’s study, because after all, as they say in Japan, “One step forward is still progress,” and I’ll take as many steps as it takes to reach the finish line!
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