If you have been learning Japanese for a long time it is easier to do this, but even if you have just started learning Japanese you can make this part of your language learning habit. Start thinking in Japanese and you are effectively speaking Japanese, in your head, yes, but you are helping to internalise the language. Once it is happening inside your head it is easier to ‘mutter’ to yourself in Japanese, that leads to speaking to yourself in Japanese and then speaking to others in Japanese and all of a sudden, there you are! Speaking Japanese! You did it!

Ok, let me break it down stage by stage.

Stage One: Learn relevant vocabulary in sentences. I learn sentences that are relevant to me right now. The reason being is that if it is a word that I will use then I will remember it faster and use it sooner.
Next, you use visualisation to think about your day. Here is a quick example:
I get up (起きる – okiru)
I take a shower (シャワー を 浴びる – shawa wo abiru)
I brush my teeth (は を みがく – ha wo migaku)
Think about your morning routine and find out how to say these things in Japanese. If you are a higher level you can think about what you did yesterday to practice the past tense. You can also increase the number of activities that took place.

Stage Two: As you think about the actions, say the words in your head. In your head say the words normally. Then say the words in your head in a whisper. Then shout the words in your head. Then try saying the words in your head in a child’s voice, then a grandfatherly voice, then an evil witch voice
Did you notice…you just practiced the same thing six times – this helps your memory and is kind of fun 😉

Stage Three: Time to start thinking the words in your head as you actually do the actions. As you wake up (you might want to write yourself a note for this) and think 起きる okiru or if you have started using the past tense 起きた okita. As you step in the shower, think シャワー を 浴びる shawa wo abiru, then think about the past as you step out of the shower シャワー を 浴びた shawa wo abita. As you squeeze out your toothpaste from the tube, tell yourself は を みがくha wo migaku. After you finish tell yourselfは を みがいた ha wo migaita.

Stage Four: Start to say the words with your mouth. Listen to your voice. Does it match the sounds that you created in your head? Roll the sounds around your mouth and listen to a Native speaker say the word (Most online dictionaries have this functionality).  Feel comfortable with the words and start to say them out loud as you complete your morning routine. Just as you did in your head, bring the words out of your mouth. Mumble them at first if you feel self-conscious, just get used to having the sounds leave your mouth, but remember to link the actions as you mumble.

Stage Five: Use the voices that you practiced in your head as you speak the words during your morning routine (link the actions as you speak).
Say the words like a child.
Like a grandfather.
Like a witch.
Laugh at yourself ;-).

Stage Six: Look in the mirror and speak the words to yourself, as if you were telling your reflection what you do in the morning. Relax! Get used to hearing the words as you look at the face staring back at you. Whisper the words to your reflection. Shout the words.

Stage Seven: Say your sentence to a non-Japanese-speaker, a family member or a friend. Someone to whom you are happy and relaxed speaking with. They do not know what you just said but it is good to practice on them. Teach them the words if they show an interest. Help them to pronounce the words. You will get a lot of learning from teaching others what you know.

Stage Eight: Speak to a Japanese-speaking person. If you do not have access to a Japanese speaker, join our weekly Japanese Conversation Club and practice with us. We meet weekly giving you the perfect opportunity to practice what you have been learning.

This activity is for improving fluency. I have broken the sentences down to the bare minimum and do not worry too much about grammar, We want to get you speaking. As soon as you speak to others your language will build around these basic sentences and you will begin to pick up on the language used by others.

Enjoy yourself and relax 🙂

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