So I studied Spanish half-seriously in Uni for 2 years, and at the end I felt like it was actually going somewhere, even without having put much effort into it (due to my japanese), but then I wanted to focus on Japanese, and completely stopped all Spanish. Now someone here said learning 2 languages is actually more effective, and I feel like it's a pity how much I forgot, I can't speak at all anymore! I've been listening to some audio, looked into textbooks, but most of it is so BORING! I know most stuff, but I can't use it!
But I'm not good enough to read books yet - so what would be a good way to entertain me while studying on this ~intermediate level ?
Might be a stupid question, but I lack my usual motivation in language learning at the moment, it all seems boring and not-progressing (especially japanese, i hate the vocab) =( and I can't focus on anything because I have about 1000 hobbies.
So any tips or even an "get your act together" would be appreciated!

What works for me is two things:

A) I start my day with my Japanese reviews. You may do it at some other times, but the idea is to make it an habit. Now it is as if the machine cannot be stopped: I would feel bad about not studying.

B) Re-connect with what caused you to love Japanese in the first place. In my case, I just discovered an amazing singer one year ago and I thought to myself "Hey, I just want to understand what she's sayin'":

Also, I am a Japanese movie buff. That is also a great motivation to go on and finally understand what the hell they are saying. For instance these days I watch 僕と妻の１７７８の物語. Beautiful!

louischa Wrote:What works for me is two things:

A) I start my day with my Japanese reviews. You may do it at some other times, but the idea is to make it an habit. Now it is as if the machine cannot be stopped: I would feel bad about not studying.

This can be powerful motivation (the feeling associated with missing a day once a habit is formed). Read this if you haven't already:

http://lifehacker.com/281626/jerry-seinf...ity-secret

hth

"Don't break the chain"
lol, I know that from experience! But unfortunately my situation is that I've already broken it 2 years ago, and now I don't feel like working with textbooks. Plus I'm pretty busy with uni exams and end up doing nothing because I want to do 1000 things...
@louischa - when it comes to reviews I've been doing them for years, lately just while watching some US series. It's learnin new things and reviewing grammar that I keep stalling. Also big number of red cards.
You gave me some good tips, but any ideas on which method would be good if you dislike textbooks? I'm thinking easy texts, but with interesting content.

It sounds that you have other priorities in life. University is more important than Japanese (unless you have a serious reason to learn it), so do not beat yourself up the head if that is simply not a thing you can do now, or if you have more interesting/important things to do. Just select carefully what it is you want to prioritize.

Maybe you can postpone it to later, just trying to maintain what you already know for now? When you'll have time, because you sound a bit advanced, just find a book you like and read it from cover to cover. Bye bye textbooks!

get connected back to why you started learning japanese. Once that is strong, you should be ready to start studying again.

I started a light novel around april, and came to the conclusion that it was too hard. Same dilemma with spanish. It's a stupid stadium, pre-advanced!
Well for japanese I think it's best I ask a friend to bring me red "Apprach to Intermediate Jap." from Japan, that series had interesting texts at least.
For Spanish, maybe blog reading ...
And priorities, yes.. I learn too many languages and have too many plans, story of my life.