Skip to content

Learning Materials

How do I / what do I use to learn Japanese?

Refold method:

  • https://refold.la/
  • MattVsJapan's formalized immersion method (evolved from AJATT)
  • Discord server is community of other leaners sharing resources, tips, successes, asking for help, etc. Create account on refold.la to get server link.
  • Japanese-specific companion guide for refold with tools and media resource: https://refold.link/japanese

Genki and italki

I do italki lessons with a Japanese teacher once every other week, we're going through the Genki I and II textbooks. I know Refold says both italki and Genki are probably not necessary and perhaps harmful in some ways (e.g. early output) but it helps kickstart my understanding of grammar and keeps me accountable. It's a bigger deal psychologically if I'm paying for a lesson and don't get anything out of it because I'm not practicing.

Tokini Andy videos on Genki

Flash cards

Use Anki.

There's a deck that combines learning kanji and vocab for 1000 of the (arguably) most common Japanese words. Need to be a Refold patron of $5/month or higher though. https://refold.la/japanese/deck/

I'm currently using the JLPT Tango N5 deck that I got through Refold a long time ago I think. Haven't bothered to look up the link again since I'm almost done with it.

Media I like

I'm not a huge anime guy so that's made things a little harder since there is not a community for... pretty much any other type of Japanese learning resource like there is for anime lol.