The truth is that learning a new language is definitely one of the most challenging yet stimulating tasks you can ever do. Of course, if you are focused and consistent in learning Japanese, there are lots of things you could have learned within 3 months.
In fact, learning in 3 months may be enough for you to have basic conversations in Japanese and even read some texts. Indeed, there is no language that you cannot learn in 3 months. The only thing that is not guaranteed in 3 months is your fluency.
So, if your target is to be fluent in Japanese, this is almost impossible to accomplish within 3 months. Fundamentally, within the first few months of learning the language, the basic understanding of Japanese that you have may be enough to ask a few simple questions, say some basic things about yourself, etc.
However, if you want to learn Japanese to be able to speak or read it professionally, watch anime subtitles and understand everything, or take the higher levels of Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), it is unrealistic to think you can learn Japanese in 3 months. This is because these exercises require a near-perfect knowledge of Japanese.
How long does it really take to learn Japanese?
If you intend to learn Japanese for any reason, you are likely going to be concerned about the duration it will take you to understand the language. However, it is important to understand that there is no straightforward answer to the vital question. When you are learning a new language, a complex process is involved in determining how you will understand what you are learning. It is worthwhile to understand this complex process relies heavily on numerous individual factors that are within or out of your control.
Anyway, what are these numerous factors that can affect your learning of Japanese?
- The languages you already understand
People that already speak two or more languages have higher chances of learning Japanese in 3 months, though they may not be fluent too. Being bilingual or multilingual eases the whole process of learning Japanese as you are already exposed to a wide range of languages before. Resultantly, it will be easier for you to start learning step by step until you achieve fluency.
Also, the particular language you already understand will affect your ability to learn Japanese. For instance, if you already understand Chinese, it will likely be easier for you to learn Japanese. This is because both the Chinese and Japanese languages use some symbols for their writing scripts. Besides, Chinese is believed by many people to be harder to learn than Japanese.
However, if you only have good knowledge of European languages like English, French, German, and lots more, you may struggle with learning Japanese. The first few months may be wasted on just understanding the basics of the unfamiliar characters of the language. As a result of this, it will take a long period to learn Japanese.
- Your motivation
There is no doubt about the fact that your motivation to learn Japanese will affect your speed of learning. For instance, someone who is just learning this language for fun may not learn as quickly as someone learning to get a life-changing job.
So, as you start learning Japanese, make sure you stay motivated throughout the process. Focus on how learning Japanese can improve your life in diverse ways.
- Your schedule for learning
If different people are learning Japanese at the same time, the fluency of these people after three months will rely on their schedule for learning. Those that have dedicated several hours per day to learning Japanese will learn better and faster than others that don’t.
So, if you are trying to learn Japanese in just three months, you will have to spend lots of hours each day learning the language. Immerse yourself in the learning and you may surprise yourself at the end of the 3 months.
- Your attitude towards learning
If you see the process of learning Japanese as fun and interesting, you will be positive about the whole experience. This positive will make it easier for you to have a good knowledge of this language. Also, it will spur you to commit more hours to learn Japanese every day.
Therefore, in case you are still targeting learning Japanese in three months, you must be positive, focused, and determined to achieve your goals.
- The method of learning
There are loads of methods of learning Japanese or any other language. However, some methods are known to increase the speed and accuracy of learning than others. In general, learning in the classroom and from interaction with native speakers is the best way to learn Japanese. This is because such a learning process will combine an understanding of the fundamentals of the language with day-to-day experience. So, it doesn’t come as a surprise that you will probably learn faster if you are learning in class and still living among native Japanese speakers.
Overall, if you want to learn Japanese in 3 months, consider living the locals, watching Japanese anime and movies, reading and listening to local news, and so on. With regular exposure to Japanese, your chance of having an impeccable understanding of the language in 3 months will increase.
After all is said and done, the learning speed of each individual differs. Therefore, after the first 3 months of learning Japanese, your level of learning Japanese may not be the same as someone who started learning the same language at the same time. While some people may be good enough to take the lower levels of the JLPT after 3 months, others may not be able to hold a simple conversation with it.
Again, it is almost impossible to learn Japanese in 3 months and be fluent. The language doesn’t look like most European languages that you are already probably used to. Hence, learning it will be somewhat difficult.
Conclusively, we suggest that you don’t rush learning Japanese. Take the time to be equipped with the basics of the language and continue enhancing your fluency.
