When I started learning Japanese
I didn't have anyone to talk to.
I wondered how I was I suppose to
practice the vocab I was learning?
I thought what better way to practice
than by practicing on my family!
Sure it would annoy them,
but it'd be good practice for me.
It was great because only I would know my
mistakes and could take my time.
So I'd speak first in Japanese.
Then I'd say it in English.
This method helped me a lot.
I learned simple phrases really quick.
Because I was using them in real situations.
For example, When I first started I always confused
「いってきます」、「いってらしゃい」、「ただいま」、and 「おかえり」.
So I would say it to my family. At first I had to always look at my cheat sheet to see if I was saying the right one. My family always asked what I was saying. Soon they got used to it.
Now they are common phrases in my household.
They learned it without wanting to!
Whenever I leave I yell 「いってきます！」
And my mother replies, 「いってらしゃい！」
And vise versa.
When someone returns home I say, 「おかえり」
And they respond, 「ただいま」
And vise versa.
I especially love the phrases because
not saying anything is rude.
And informing in English is awkward or
involves having to have a "good bye conversation".
My mother has learned お休み、お早う、お母さん、and
Many other words because I always practice on her.
The point is to use them in real life situations.
Even now I do this with my family.
It's fun to see them learn the words too.
