(2016-01-10, 5:11 pm)Bokusenou Wrote: At first, yeah, but then I made friends with them and started enjoying myself.I still need a lot of practice if my speaking is ever going to catch up to my reading, but I think I'll get there someday. Also, thanks! That makes me feel better about my speaking.
One of the nice things about having long-term Japanese friends (well, there are many nice things, but I'm speaking from a language learning perspective) is that you start to notice that your speaking is progressing, because *they* start to notice it. Yes, everyone starts off telling you, "OMG you're so 上手" if you can barely eke out a こんにちは. But after someone has known you for a while, they'll notice as your speaking speed and choice of vocab are progressing, and will compliment you for it.
It's hard for me to notice my own progress, because I live with myself and I study every day, and any improvement happens in such tiny increments that I often overlook it. So it's nice when a friend from Tokyo I haven't seen in six months can call out how much my speaking has evolved since she's last seen me.