Even after a year of immersion in Japan, I could often follow what others said, but I didn’t feel confident enough about words to use them.
That’s why I usually stuttered, repeated mistakes, or kept my mouth shut.
But, in rare moments when I did feel certain, I spoke freely and easily.
So, instead of forcing myself to speak more… I focused on erasing my doubts, and everything changed.
Each time a word or phrase became clear, I felt more excited to talk—because I had something new to say. Clarity often came almost instantly with the right examples. And the more I understood, the faster I became confident about saying new things!
In no time, I started thinking in Japanese. People said I sounded more like a native. Even fast speakers became easier to follow.
And because I could improve without waiting for teachers or practice partners, my progress was stress-free.
Soon, friends and co-workers were amazed as our conversations flowed more naturally—almost like I was speaking my first language.