13 July 2026
396. 10 Years Language Learning: Lessons I'd Give My Younger Self (English Vocabulary Lesson)
Thinking in English
About
In August 2016, I moved to a small town on the Japanese island of Shikoku. I had almost no Japanese ability and I didn't have an expectation that I'd stay very long in Japan. Maybe I'd stay in Japan for one year.
10 years later, though, I'm still in Japan. I'm now married. I have a daughter. I run a business from Japan. And I can live my entire life in Japanese if I need to.
Looking back, there are things that I'm incredibly proud of in my Japanese learning journey and a few things that I wish I had done differently.
So in today's episode of Thinking in English, I thought it would be interesting to discuss my past 10 years of language learning experiences: how I went from zero knowledge of Japanese to being able to live in Japanese daily if I [00:01:00] need to. Hopefully by listening to this episode, you guys will receive some motivation and some advice about your own language learning journeys.
Conversation Club - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/patreon/conversation-clubs/
TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/07/13/396-10-years-language-learning-lessons-id-give-my-younger-self-english-vocabulary-lesson/
AD Free Episode - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish
YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast
INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/)
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My Editing Software (50 % Discount Affiliate Link) - https://descript.cello.so/BgOK9XOfQdD
Borough by Blue Dot Sessions
Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on Thinking in English. Thinking in English is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
10 years later, though, I'm still in Japan. I'm now married. I have a daughter. I run a business from Japan. And I can live my entire life in Japanese if I need to.
Looking back, there are things that I'm incredibly proud of in my Japanese learning journey and a few things that I wish I had done differently.
So in today's episode of Thinking in English, I thought it would be interesting to discuss my past 10 years of language learning experiences: how I went from zero knowledge of Japanese to being able to live in Japanese daily if I [00:01:00] need to. Hopefully by listening to this episode, you guys will receive some motivation and some advice about your own language learning journeys.
Conversation Club - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/patreon/conversation-clubs/
TRANSCRIPT - https://thinkinginenglish.blog/2026/07/13/396-10-years-language-learning-lessons-id-give-my-younger-self-english-vocabulary-lesson/
AD Free Episode - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish
Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thinkinginenglish
YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@thinkinginenglishpodcast
INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/thinkinginenglishpodcast/)
$10 Free Credits on iTalki (Affiliate Link) - https://www.italki.com/affshare?ref=af17506448
My Editing Software (50 % Discount Affiliate Link) - https://descript.cello.so/BgOK9XOfQdD
Borough by Blue Dot Sessions
Contact advertising@airwavemedia.com to advertise on Thinking in English. Thinking in English is part of the Airwave Media podcast network.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices