If you're already able to hold conversations in Japanese, you’re likely past the beginner stage. But maybe you’ve hit a plateau. You can talk, but you’re not getting better. Sound familiar?
This post is for intermediate and upper-level learners who want to move beyond "just chatting” and start making real, steady progress in their Japanese speaking skills.
If you always say things like "そのとおりですね（That’s right）” or "そうですね（I think so）” to stay on the safe side, you’re not growing. Challenge yourself to use something new, even if you’re not confident.
For example, instead of saying "楽しかったです（It was fun）”, try "考えるきっかけになりました（It gave me a lot to think about）” or "It was more than I expected”. Pushing yourself to speak in different ways forces you to activate new vocabulary.
If every lesson is about the same small talk topics, your
vocabulary won’t expand.
Instead of always saying "I ate pasta” or "I went shopping”, try describing the
taste, the atmosphere, or how you felt. That adds layers to your language.
If you’ve recently learned a new phrase or grammar pattern, try to find a way to use it in your next conversation. Don’t leave it to chance. Make a plan before your lesson.
One great tip is to keep a short list of expressions or vocabulary that you want to use during the lesson. Write them down in a notebook or on your phone and keep them nearby while you speak. That way, when the right moment comes, you’ll be ready to try them. This simple habit makes your practice more focused and your progress faster.
Short answers like "Yes”, "I don’t know”, or "A little” make the conversation stop. Try to give more detail, even if you have to pause and think.
Instead of "I went to the park”, say, "I went to the park near my house and read a book for an hour. It was
peaceful.”
That kind of reply helps your speaking muscles grow.
Waiting until you’re 100% sure about a sentence means you’ll never say it. Try it anyway.
If you want to say something like "It might rain next week”, just go for it. If you make a mistake, your teacher will correct you kindly. That correction is progress.
Your teacher is a great source of natural Japanese. When you hear them use a new phrase that sounds useful, write it down and try using it in the next lesson.
If your teacher says something like "I’ve been curious about that” or "That’s definitely true”, try to use that kind of expression yourself next time. Imitating fluent speakers is one of the fastest ways to sound natural.
All SuikaTalk lessons are recorded and saved for 90 days. Use that to your advantage.
When you rewatch a lesson, you can:
Maybe you forgot how to say "to make a reservation” during the lesson. After watching it back, you can look it up and practise it for next time.
Be more strategic. Speak with intention. Review your
lessons. Try new things.
Fluency doesn’t come from doing what’s easy—it comes from doing what’s a little
uncomfortable.
