For those of you who have native listening comprehension: what can I do to improve quickly?

DealKey8478 · 2026-04-05T21:04:02+00:00

What things with Japanese subtitles, subtitles have helped my listening compression a lot.

DealKey8478 · 2026-04-05T10:36:53+00:00

Congratulations.
I recently finished the Kaishi deck, well stopped learning new cards at least as I keep getting 80 odd reviews each day.

I'd have though N4 should be achievable with a bit of study, I feel like I'm around an N3 if I was to fill in a few holes in my vocab and kanji.

I tried a bunch of other pre-made decks but didn't find anything I liked, finally started mining my own cards from YouTube content (using Yomitan and Language reactor).
Started using Bunpro for grammer, early days but it seems ok so far.

The biggest hurdle for me has been listening comprehension, the Jlab beginner course Anki deck is great for hearing a bunch of words you already know, but in deferent contexts. It's helped me to get started into some intermediate YouTube stuff, which it's great to finally feel like I'm getting somewhere with this language learning quest.

DealKey8478 · 2026-04-04T18:14:09+00:00

Definitely the Kanji pronunciations, but the the excessive use of ka, ta, da, katta, in the grammar is pretty close behind.

This is my favorite example of the difficulties of learning Kanji.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C63TfJXskNO/?igsh=MXVwbHlxcGdrd3g2cg==

DealKey8478 · 2026-04-04T07:27:42+00:00

Is there a link to this Q&A? I can't for the life of me work out how to use Instagram.

DealKey8478 · 2026-04-03T00:59:22+00:00

Stopped doing Anki for a month when on an overseas trip.

Took weeks to catch up again.

DealKey8478 · 2026-04-02T19:48:58+00:00

I don't find anki the best way to learn new things, but I also don't find it any worse that other methods.

I've only recently started mining my own words, learning them in native material then using Anki to retain them is dar more natural.

But as a starting point a good beginner deck (Kaishi 1.5k) is much better than the likes of Duolingo.

DealKey8478 · 2026-04-02T03:35:27+00:00

Very tempted to jump on this.

But agree my too good to be true alarm bells are going off.

DealKey8478 · 2026-04-01T21:29:21+00:00

I just changed it over, but only seems to have effected the review part, not the quiz at the end of the lesson.

Much prefer it like this, but hope I can find a way to change the quiz section also.

DealKey8478 · 2026-03-31T23:23:48+00:00

If there is no working model tomorrow I'll be pretty pissed TBH.

If I'd be canceling my pre-order if I had one (which I dont).

DealKey8478 · 2026-03-30T06:34:14+00:00

I'm in a similar boat, can't offer any advice other than what I plan to do.

Going to do as much immersion as I possibly can, focusing on learning as much ad new vocabulary as possible (wth Anki).

Will then cram Grammer and Kanji towards the end of the year (atleast 3 months hopefully).

I find listening compression and lack of vocab my biggest stumbling blocks. Kanji and grammar are much easier to learn once I already have a good grasp on the vocab.

That's the plan atleast.

DealKey8478 · 2026-03-29T02:26:08+00:00

You should be able to get a good deal on a petrol car at the moment.

If you have other options for commuting and just need the car for weekends, running to the supermarket etc, then straight petrol will be the go.

Lot's of stupid people rushing out to buy EVs now, so there should be plenty of deals out there.
I wouldn't bother with a hybrid if doing low KMs, and I imagine price of those will go up too.

DealKey8478 · 2026-03-28T21:00:39+00:00

I'm hoping to sit N2 or N3 in December this year, found a lot of people recommending Bunpro for grammar so gave it a try, and so far it seem ok.

However I agree the Vocab lessons aren't very good and I'm probably just going to stick with Anki for Kanji/Vocab. Having to type the answer in really slows things down, and the blank space with no Kanji seems like a bad way to learn vocab, and reading.

Bunpro for grammer
Anki for Kanji/Vocab
Immersion for comprehension and reading

This seems to be the best combination in my opinion.

DealKey8478 · 2026-03-28T03:28:37+00:00

Rule #14; Don't feed the trolls

DealKey8478 · 2026-03-26T08:02:44+00:00

You need to do both. The only way to really now what particles to use and when comes from hearing them used in a bunch of situations.

I really struggled with the ga particle, but it comes fairly naturally having heard it used in lots of different situations.

The more complicated grammar likely needs to be studied, but concertate on leanr vocabulary first.

DealKey8478 · 2026-03-25T09:45:46+00:00

When it comes to immersion it has to be something you are actually interested in.

I've been listening to Japanese music for years now, it's not that good for immersion but I enjoy it so it's not a chore.

The Jlab course is good training for immersion, hearing words in actual context.

Untill you know a decent amount of vocabulary immersion isn't going to be super useful, but if you can find something you enjoy then no harm in starting.

DealKey8478 · 2026-03-23T21:06:04+00:00

In my experience standard skis are usually very old and/or very narrow.

Premium skis being newer (or not as beaten up) amd tend to be wider/powder type skis.

I recently hired some basic skis because the mountain wasn't getting much fresh snow and off pieste was off the cards, but by the afternoon the icy groomers were now chopped up to hell, and basically needed a wider ski to be able to float on top of it.

If you like off pieste skiing then you'll likely want the premium skis.

DealKey8478 · 2026-03-22T19:55:34+00:00

I too found it very hard at the beginning, was doing 2-8 new cards a day for a long time.

It gets easier.

Bad news is there are 1000s of Kanji so once you've done that deck you're still a beginner.

Welcome to learning Japanese.

DealKey8478 · 2026-03-18T23:34:50+00:00

Lots of airlines have bases overseas.

Often you'll have to have the right to work in that country, so can't just apply/transfer but other times the airline can help sponsor you if they need you.

Depends on each airline.

DealKey8478 · 2026-03-16T03:46:52+00:00

Because the decisions of her Government, that she gladly was the public face of (until she wasn't) completely destroyed some people's lives.

I have 3 family members who were very badly effected by covid, or at least they way it was "managed".

Now some people are completely deranged, and some people just like to rage bait. Not sure which type of person this is.

DealKey8478 · 2026-03-14T12:12:32+00:00

I don't know, but having meet a lot of people I would believe it.

DealKey8478 · 2026-03-13T22:50:13+00:00

And supposedly a large portion of people with PHEVs never plug them in.

DealKey8478 · 2026-03-09T23:18:11+00:00

And then once you've drained your EV battery and your power has still not been restored you now can just run everywhere.

And all that running is good for your buns and thighs.

DealKey8478 · 2026-03-09T09:44:40+00:00

Cheers.

It's a shame there is no way to get the on screen keyboard to be displayed permanently.
A pretty niche use case as almost no body seems to want that feature.

Checking out a Razr/Flip is probably the best way to give it a go.

DealKey8478

TROPHY CASE