We had this dream of learning the language, and we put everything into it. We bought the books. We took the classes. We dropped everything and went to immerse ourselves in the culture.
It didn't work. We felt like we were running underwater.
After years of trying to find the answer, we designed NativShark to be the simple solution to this question.
But first, let's look at what we need to do:
We need to know the proper way to build sentences, so strapping down and learning grammar rules is an important step to take.
But learning how to bend the rules to make sentences a real person would say in everyday life is equally as important.
We also need naturally spoken audio (not the slow textbook version) so we can understand Japanese at full speed while being able to produce our own Japanese that others can easily understand.
If our study materials don't point out the difference between natural language and "textbook" language (like NativShark does), we probably aren't being taught the way Japanese is used in everyday life.
Without studying natural Japanese, we risk being entirely lost when we try to use it in the real world.
![Vocab flashcard for the word 半端 [はんぱ] meaning leftover pieces; remnants used in the sentence この半端も後で使うので捨てないでください。](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/621e260bffb37f01a64b0c19/65b84fffa35cc3942967443a_NativShark_example_sentence_review.png)
Language works in context.
While stopping to focus on certain parts of the language such as kanji can be beneficial at times, true understanding comes from seeing how everything is used together with the rest of the language.
Kanji, vocab, grammar, and natural audio all build up to create a sentence. The sentence is then said in a situation appropriate for it.
Studying language how it's used in real life leads us to the most efficient path to Japanese functionality. This is why NativShark teaches language in context.
Not every learning-focused resource can take us from absolute beginner to beyond advanced. Most of them only focus on one or two parts of the language, even.
Unfortunately, switching resources when we run out of content to study can cause us to feel completely lost if the new resource is too advanced, or be a bit of a waste of our time or money if it's below our current level.
For efficiency and minimizing frustration caused by resource switching, it's generally best to find and stick with a comprehensive learning-focused resource that can take us all the way to the top. Not one that drops us off before we can reach our goals.
NativShark is one of these resources. See how much Japanese you can learn with NativShark here.
![Vocab flashcard for the word 半端 [はんぱ] meaning leftover pieces; remnants used in the sentence この半端も後で使うので捨てないでください。](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/621e260bffb37f01a64b0c19/65b85da10a618751bcd6d419_banner_phase_2.png)
It doesn't matter how much we learn if we immediately forget it all when we end our studies for the day. We need a way to keep things fresh in our brains.
It'll be helpful to learn with materials that constantly build upon what has already been taught, so progressing through the system means that we're also reviewing everything we've learned up to that point.
A spaced repitition system is also beneficial for review. It will show us what we've learned just before we're in danger of forgetting it, and handle when to review things for us so we don't have to worry about it.
NativShark teaches Japanese that builds upon what you have learned previously while handling what to review and when.
![Vocab flashcard for the word 半端 [はんぱ] meaning leftover pieces; remnants used in the sentence この半端も後で使うので捨てないでください。](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/621e260bffb37f01a64b0c19/65b85f92677fb9746925d242_reviews.png)
Learning-focused resources that cover the above points are vital for building our Japanese foundation.
However, they can only take us so far by themselves.
NativShark is built to prepare us for this fact. NativShark helps and encourages us to get out there and use our Japanese as early and often as we can.
Using our Japanese can be something like talking with friends or using "native materials". Native materials include books, anime, video games, or anything else that is designed for a speaker of Japanese (and not only for learners).
![Vocab flashcard for the word 半端 [はんぱ] meaning leftover pieces; remnants used in the sentence この半端も後で使うので捨てないでください。](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/621e260bffb37f01a64b0c19/65b85b1d8489a104c8073c23_shark_backpack.png)
Patching together a study plan from tons of different learning resources can be a lot of effort filled with risks of burnout and large knowledge gaps.
As a result, we built a simple path:
Then go out and use your Japanese.
NativShark is a comprehensive learning resource that can teach you Japanese all the way to a high level of proficiency with the press of a single button: "Study Now".
The "Study Now" button is designed to show you everything you need to see when you need to see it. When you press it, you'll be shown both relevant reviews and the following:
Units are the smallest complete package of Japanese language knowledge on NativShark. They are designed to teach you everything an adult native speaker of Japanese should know.
Units contain lessons (grammar, culture, etc.), vocab, kanji, Dialogues, waypoints, and much more, all of which will be explored below.
Milestones contain many Units each and mark the development of your Japanese abilities.
The beginning Milestones start with reading and foundational skills. Later Milestones involve seeing all of the common-use (Jōyō) kanji, solidifying grammar points, learning various slang and expressions, and even knowing what it's like to be born and raised in Japan.
Lessons cover grammar points, cultural nuances, history, pop culture, how Japanese is used in everyday life in Japan & in media such as anime, books, or games, and so much more.
Every lesson is written by a non-native speaker who has reached a high level of proficiency as an adult, paired with a native speaker of Japanese.
This combination ensures that we teach natural Japanese while framing concepts in a way that a learner is likely to understand and appreciate.
All sentences in lessons and beyond contain natural audio that will get your ears able to catch Japanese how it's pronounced in real life— sounds dropped, words connected, and fast-paced.
Kanji — the Chinese-derived characters of Japanese — is an area that many students find intimidating during their studies. However, it doesn't need to be this way.
NativShark will first show you a single kanji by itself, to give you an idea of what the kanji looks like, preparing your mind for the future.
Then, true understanding comes from seeing the kanji used in the context of words (vocabulary), sentences and various situations. This happens naturally every time you show up and hit the "Study Now" button.
Vocabulary is taught with full sentences and situations, and with all relevant kanji. It also always comes with natural audio to help prepare you for spoken Japanese in the real world.
Vocabulary and kanji are further reinforced in both reviews and progressing further in NativShark.
![Vocab flashcard for the word 半端 [はんぱ] meaning leftover pieces; remnants used in the sentence この半端も後で使うので捨てないでください。](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/621e260bffb37f01a64b0c19/62966b9514a5fd2b529174de_unknown.png)
At the end of each Unit, a Dialogue between two or more speakers is introduced which uses words, phrases, and grammar that have already been learned.
One of the more elusive aspects of the Japanese language is figuring out natural ways of phrasing things. You can "know" the meaning of a word without really knowing how a native speaker would be likely to use it.
Dialogues help with this thanks to every Dialogue coming with a situation that helps you understand how Japanese is used in everyday life.
They also aid in improving pronunciation and understanding how speech differs depending on who you're talking to.
Learning a language like Japanese takes time. It won't happen overnight. But it will happen.
The most important thing is to be consistent.
You'll find helpful notes from the team (who are all language learners themselves) which provide unique insight on the process to help you create an undefeatable mindset to reach your study goals.
You'll also earn progression badges which mark moments to celebrate how much you've learned along the way.
![Vocab flashcard for the word 半端 [はんぱ] meaning leftover pieces; remnants used in the sentence この半端も後で使うので捨てないでください。](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/621e260bffb37f01a64b0c19/6296791fa438a9a0bba5a978_keep_forgetting_something.png)
![Vocab flashcard for the word 半端 [はんぱ] meaning leftover pieces; remnants used in the sentence この半端も後で使うので捨てないでください。](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/621e260bffb37f01a64b0c19/62967bebb5e8de1f2494369f_audio_is_important_but_you_can_skip.png)
![Vocab flashcard for the word 半端 [はんぱ] meaning leftover pieces; remnants used in the sentence この半端も後で使うので捨てないでください。](https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/621e260bffb37f01a64b0c19/62967c2595384a0fc8b87c82_your_crossing_an_ocean.png)
We want to see you able to use and understand everyday Japanese as soon as possible, so we focus on building your foundations to ensure this.
We explore the way Japanese is used in all of its aspects; from formal to casual, what's "textbook" and stiff, and what's natural.
This includes the way Japanese sounds. We learn how to verbally react to information in the way that Japanese people do, which is a crucial cultural skill. We also practice mimicking the rhythm and tones of natural spoken Japanese.
Over the first 100 or so Units we learn roughly 90% of the verb and adjective conjugations that exist in the entire language, including ones that are traditionally reserved for "intermediate" students. This allows you to go out and use your Japanese in native materials and beyond, while having many of the tools necessary to begin understanding language you encounter very early on.
All of this comes together as you use and experience Japanese in your daily life to reinforce what you've been exposed to in NativShark.
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The beginning of NativShark takes a moderately paced learner about 6 months to complete, and brings them through more than 2 and a half years of university-level learning.
This means that we teach more than Genki 1, Genki 2, the Tobira book, and many other language learning apps. We also publish new study content every week. But aside from comparing numbers:
We teach natural language as used in everyday life in Japan. This is an aspect that is, surprisingly, completely ignored in most learning resources.
This lack of focus on such a major part of the language is one of the biggest sources of frustration and burnout when a learner goes to interact with Japanese outside of their study environment.
We on the team have experienced this frustration and burnout firsthand. One of the major reasons we built NativShark was to combat this lack of focus on such a significant part of Japanese.
See here for more info.
Again, learning Japanese won't happen overnight. But with time and a bit of consistency, it will happen.
It's time to chase that dream of learning Japanese. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it.
