Hi! It’s Sensei.
“I passed JLPT N3 or N2!”
“But I can’t keep up with fast-paced Japanese conversations…”
“What I want to say just doesn’t come out of my mouth…”
Are you having these troubles?
There are so many trainees who are good at tests but struggle with conversation.
The reason is simple.
It’s because you are only doing “Input (Inputto / インプット)” (reading and listening).
To become able to converse, you need “Output (Autoputto / アウトプット)” practice (speaking and using).
Today, I (Sensei) will teach you the strongest conversation training you can do alone: “Shadowing (Shadoingu / シャドーイング)”.
Why are “Textbooks” alone not enough?
Are you “thinking you understand” just by reading textbooks?
In sports terms, that’s like “only reading the rulebook.”
📥 Input
Memorizing words, reading books.
➡ You pass the test.
📤 Output
Actually speaking out loud, talking to someone.
➡ You can converse!
“But I don’t have anyone (Japanese people) to talk to…”
It’s okay! Even if you don’t have a partner, there is a practice you can do alone in your room.
The Magic Practice: “Shadowing”
Shadowing (Shadoingu / シャドーイング) is a practice where you listen to Japanese audio and repeat it immediately afterward, like a shadow.
- Listen to Japanese conversation with earphones.
- Speak out the sounds exactly as you hear them, without looking at anything.
- Repeat this many times.
By doing this for just 10 minutes a day, your “mouth” will transform into Japanese muscle.
Your Pronunciation (Hatsuon / 発音) will also become very beautiful!
This book is the “Strongest”!
When doing shadowing, random YouTube videos aren’t enough.
Use a book that compiles “conversations that Japanese people actually use often.”
This legendary book is used by senior trainees and international students. Choose according to your level.
🟣 For Beginners to Intermediate (N4-N3)
Start with this “Purple Book.”
It contains many daily conversations (shopping, part-time jobs, talking with friends).
🔴 For Intermediate to Advanced (N2-N1)
For those who “want to have more difficult conversations” or “learn interviews and business Japanese.”
If you can master this “Red Book,” you’ll be able to speak just like a Japanese person.
Practice with Good Sound
In shadowing, “sound” is everything.
Smartphone speakers have poor quality, making it hard to catch subtle pronunciations.
Using the “Noise-Canceling Earphones (Noizu Kyanseringu Iyahon / ノイズキャンセリングイヤホン)” introduced before, you can block out surrounding noise and focus solely on the Japanese audio.
Summary: Only those who move their mouths win
Seniors who are good at Japanese are all doing “Output” in secret.
Let’s end the study that’s just about reading.
Start shadowing today and surprise the Japanese people at your next interview or workplace!
