Season Three, Let It Be
If we don’t change, we don’t grow. If we don’t grow, we are not really living. Growth demands a temporary surrender of security. - Gail Sheehy
The end of Season 3 is here at last, which means you can look back and think about what you did well (and what you didn’t do well). If you find yourself confused by something, then go back, clear your mind, and try again. Maybe all it needed was a little time and space, and if you go back now you’ll be able to learn it, no problem.
Season 3 was all about modifying things we’ve already learned. We learned how to make things more casual, we learned how to change verbs into te-form, and we learned a lot of other things along the way. We even got to start a story, which will continue in Season 4.
Season 4, on the other hand, is all about taking these modifications and doing something with them, kind of like what we did with te-form, but this time it’s going to be more in depth. We’re also going to start using vocab we’ve learned via the kanji chapters (and study kanji at a slightly faster rate as well). Basically, now is the time where we move from “bigger picture” to more of a “medium picture.” Our focus is going to narrow, and we’re going to learn about smaller grammar concepts while practicing the bigger picture stuff from Seasons 1-3.
Basically, what I’m trying to say is… You’re at an intermediate level of Japanese, which means it’s time to study a bit harder (and learn more).
This means Season 4 lessons are going to have more, varying parts to them (but the parts will be shorter). It’s going to get a little difficult to remember what does what, but hopefully there should be enough (passive) review as you go along to help you remember and solidify new grammar points that you learn. There will also be more opportunities to practice your new knowledge, and get it into your long term memory. Things are going to change a little bit, but this change is going to be good for you, and you’re going to feel even more like you know Japanese. It’s going to be fun!
That being said, let’s go on to the next Season. Make sure you wrap up any loose ends, and tally forth, and whatnot.