Rebecca Shiraishi-Miles 
Studio Ghibli movies are often recommended to Japanese learners, but not all of them are equally helpful for language practice! Some feature dramatic speech, unusual vocabulary, or fantasy settings that don’t reflect how people talk in everyday life. If your goal is to improve listening skills and get used to natural Japanese, it helps to … Read more
The Studio Ghibli movies are some of Japan’s most beloved creative works. For many, it’s our first introduction to Japanese culture. Not all Studio Ghibli films are set in Japan. Many take place in imagined worlds or European-inspired settings. But a small group of Ghibli films are unmistakably set in Japan – from post-war countryside … Read more
If you’re reading this, you’ve probably heard about JapanesePod101, the online Japanese learning hub. JapanesePod101 heavily promote themselves as having a free lifetime account. But, is JapanesePod101 really free? The answer is YES!… but you don’t get everything for free. You really do get a free lifetime account, with access to regular new lessons, plus … Read more
February in Japan is a time to welcome the first early hints of spring! From setsubun bean-throwing rituals to romantic chocolate making and gifting, there’s a lot to enjoy in this cold month. Whether you’re planning a winter trip or learning about Japanese culture from home, here are the highlights of February in Japan: Festivals … Read more
Readers, you know I am a HUGE fan of learning Japanese through immersion. When you are enjoying a Japanese TV show or a movie that you love, you absorb new language much more easily than studying from a book. And it doesn’t even feel like learning! Lingopie is a platform that will help you learn … Read more
If you’re looking for a way to learn Japanese online, you’ve probably come across JapanesePod101. JapanesePod101 is THE big name in online Japanese lessons. They’ve been around for years, and they’ve delivered literally millions of Japanese classes! But can they help you learn Japanese? Well, I’ve been learning with them for a few years now, … Read more
JapanesePod101 is my all time favourite online Japanese course. I’ve been a Premium member for years, and it’s definitely played a huge part in my Japanese journey. (Want to learn more? See my in-depth JapanesePod101 review here.) But while I will always recommend JapanesePod101 to anyone who wants to learn Japanese, I also recommend that … Read more
Learning Japanese doesn’t have to mean sitting with textbooks for hours! Watching Japanese shows on Netflix can help you build listening confidence and pick up natural expressions – as long as you know how to use it effectively. Here’s my strategy for how to learn Japanese watching Netflix, including tips, recommended resources and top show … Read more