A lot of people here on the internet ask me how I learned Japanese. I took quite a few classes in college, of course, but I did horribly in every single one of them. Truth is, there are a lot of ways to learn a foreign language. In class is a really great way—but if it’s not working for you, don’t be afraid to try other methods too.

I did a 自己紹介 (self introduction) video a few months back. In that video, I answered the question “How did you learn Japanese?” I took almost three years of Japanese language classes in college (two years in America; one year in Japan). That being said, I pretty much failed all my classes.

Want to learn the best methods for learning Japanese—other than taking (and failing) traditional language classes? Head over to Texan in Tokyo for an in-depth look at alternative methods for mastering the language!