Detailed Timeline to Conversational Fluency

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1. Learn Hiragana and Katakana

• Understand their role: Read the Wikipedia article about Japanese writing systems.
• Study methods:
  • Use the Tofugu guide (especially if you like mnemonics).
  • Use charts like the NHK World Japan chart for direct lookup.
  • Watch YouTube videos like those from Japanese Pod 101 and follow pronunciation.
  • If you prefer learning Hiragana and Katakana as pairs, read the Toki and Andy blog.
  • Practice stroke order to aid future reading and writing.

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2. Learn Basics of Kanji and Grammar

• Kanji fundamentals:

  • Learn stroke order and radicals (components of Kanji).
  • Understand that Kanji are composed of parts, making them easier to recall (e.g., 雑 = 九 + 木 + 隹).

• Dictionaries:

  • Use Jisho.org and jpdb.io for looking up words.

• Install Anki:

  • Anki is a spaced-repetition flashcard app.
  • Download and install the Kaishi 1.5k deck (1,500 starter words).
  • Set new cards per day to 5.
  • Add the Jikaku deck for later progression.

• Study grammar:

  • Read Tae Kim’s Guide to Japanese Grammar.
    • Pages 13–27: Writing system basics.
    • Pages 29–81: Core grammar and sentence construction.

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3. Setup Immersion Tools

• Yomitan Extension:
  • Browser dictionary popup with Anki integration.
  • Use it to auto-create Anki cards for unknown words.
  • Prioritize common words (CC100 < 30,000).
  • Configure Yomitan via TheMoeWay guide.

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4. Start Beginner Immersion

• Watch beginner-friendly YouTubers:

  • Nihongo no Mori
  • Meshclass
  • That Japanese Man Yuta
  • NihongoDekita with Sayaka
  • Toppogi Kanji Lesson
  • Moshimoshi Yuusuke
  • Onomappu

• Use Graded Readers to practice simple texts.

• Set a Calendar Reminder:

  • Schedule a check-in 1 year from today to evaluate your progress.

• Progress Evaluation:

  • Watch your first beginner Japanese YouTube video.
  • If you understand >70%, move on to native content.
  • Avoid beginner content and foreigner-made Japanese videos to prevent bad habits.

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5. Start Output (~6 months in)

• Start typing in Japanese:

  • Use Twitch: Find low-viewer Japanese streamers in categories you like.
    • This gives time to formulate responses without pressure.

• Move to speaking practice:

  • Use platforms like:
    • Discord (e.g., ENJP Games Server, English-Japanese Exchange)
    • Italki, HelloTalk

• Expect to be overwhelmed, but focus on:

  • Picking out essential words from decorative ones.
  • Using Jisho or JPDB to look things up quickly.
  • Building stamina for full-focus conversations.

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6. Advance to Native Conversation

• Join higher-level Japanese servers (e.g., Mayofuwa, Yamisa) only when you're ready.
  • Miscommunication can cause tension, so choose your timing wisely.

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7. Finish Jikaku Deck (~2 years in) and Decide: Monolingual Switch

• Debate in the community:

  • English-side: Faster reviews, more time for immersion.
  • Monolingual-side: Learn like a native; better nuance and depth.

• Assuming monolingual switch:

  • Read TheMoeWay guide again for setup.
  • Download monolingual dictionaries from the dictionary folder.
  • Test and compare to find a dictionary you can actually understand.
  • Set your favorite as default in Anki/Yomitan.

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8. Start Mining

• What is mining?

  • Finding new words from native content using Yomitan.
  • Add them to your own Anki deck for continuous growth.

• Tips:

  • Always have 1–2 weeks of extra cards ready for busy times.
  • Mine what is personally interesting or necessary for you.

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9. Intermediate Plateau

• Signs:

  • Understand 70–80% of most things.
  • Motivation dips as each new word brings less visible progress.

• What to do:

  • Stay consistent with 10 cards/day.
  • Reflect on which methods work.
    • If you have too many leeches, try:
      • Adding pictures
      • Making physical flashcards
      • Using Jisho.org screenshots for tough words

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10. Further Literacy and Handwriting

• Expand Kanji knowledge:

  • Use Kanji Kentei Anki decks (Levels 10 to 1).
  • Stopping after Level 2 puts you at Japanese high schooler level.

• Study handwriting:

  • Use handwriting decks to boost active recall.
  • Pull words from passive to active vocabulary.

• Check your grammar:

  • If you haven’t done Bunpro or Tae Kim thoroughly, catch up now.