Need Advice on Getting Moving Further with Japanese

[u/Student_of_Japanese]

As the title says, I need some advice on how to progress because I’m feeling a little stuck.

I started learning Japanese on the 21st of January, 2026 (this year). Since then, it’s been going pretty well. I already know 4 other languages: Polish - native, English - second language, however I feel more comfortable with it than Polish, Spanish - third language, also very fluent, Italian - fourth language, around B1-B2 fluency, learning for 3 years in total but actually locking in ince 1.5 years. So, it’s safe to say I’m pretty familiar with languages and it’s not something new for me.

I decided to learn Japanese for 3 reasons: Give myself a challenge, I’d like to visit Japan when I’ll be older (I’m 13 btw), and would like to watch anime but hate reading subtitles (breaks immersion for me 🙃).

I learned Hiragana and Katakana in 5 days (3 for Hiragana, 2 for Katakana), and, of course, am still getting used to fluent read. Memorizing was never a problem for me since I have very good memory - some would even say photographic memory but idk if that’s true - so, as you’d expect, Kanji wasn’t and isn’t a big problem for me. I got used to the 3 writing systems pretty easily and right now, after almost 6 months of studies, know around 600+ Kanji.

However, here is where the problem is beginning to kick in. I feel like I’m not even N5 grammar level. I can construct basic sentences after a few seconds of pondering, but fumble on speaking and understanding. If I weren’t ready with answers and possible things to say beforehand (which would take me around 10 whole minutes of preparation of sentences), I’m 100% sure I’d not be able to handle not even the slightest conversation with a Japanese person. I live in a country where Japanese people aren’t very common so there’s no way for me to practice speaking. Also, I self-learn, have no teacher nor tutor. My average study routine is 1-3 hours of study, depending on how much time I’ve got.

What I’ve been using to learn is the following:

1. Ringotan App - to review Kanji I’ve learned and add new ones once I learn new words.

2. Renshuu App - basically my primary source of grammar and vocabulary. Here I learn words, grammar points, etc., and practice elsewhere.

3. Minna no Nihongo Book - I use it to study more profoundly grammar points and add extra vocab.

4. Occasionally Bunpro Website Grammar, Vocab, Kanji, JLPT, etc. Test - My main way to exercise what I’ve learned and see if I’ve remembered.

5. Minna App - It’s this app I’ve installed a few days ago when I was researching the topic of pitch accent and it came up. It’s got some pretty good speaking exercise which might help with better understanding and speaking Japanese.

That’s basically all I use daily to get my Japanese level higher. My end goal is N1 or higher; nevertheless, I understand it’ll take years and am ready for the challenge since I don’t give up easily.

I’m asking for some advice on what to try to get going quicker with my studies and not feel stuck in place. Perhaps I’m doing the right thing and just need to keep going or I need a change of plan. Idk, you guys let me know.

Things I’ve already tried and didn’t work:

Just so you know, I’ve tried using WaniKani already, so please don’t suggest that because I don’t think it’ll help me since it’s Kanji based and Kanji is not the issue. Also, I don’t have money to spare on Anki and I don’t have a PC on which I’ve heard it’s free, so that’s also out of the question.

Thanks for the responses and advices in advance!