I know that It is important to face failure, but at the same time, it is difficult to face failure, because sometimes, it really hurts. However, I’ve realised that doing so is crucial for personal growth and learning. After every class, I will continue to reflect on my failures and assess the lessons I’ve learned. By committing to this exercise regularly, I hope to develop a deeper understanding of myself and enhance my ability to improve through each experience. Failure is not the end, but a starting point for growth.
Lil Push Plan + Risk > Intercultural Practice
- Plan: I love Japanese culture and am learning the Japanese language, so I plan to read Japanese articles every morning to improve my language skills and gain a deeper understanding of Japanese culture, social norms, and traditions. For instance, the Japanese term さとやま (Satoyama) symbolises the harmonious relationship between people and nature, where humans coexist with the forest rather than exploit it. This reflects the broader Japanese cultural value of living in balance with the environment, showing respect for nature and future generations. By learning this concept, I realised that Japan’s approach to environmental conservation isn’t just about sustainability but also about maintaining harmony between humans, nature, and future generations, like children.
- Risk: Maintaining this habit has been challenging due to my desire to sleep in the morning and lack of consistent motivation, which has interrupted my language learning and cultural immersion. Since I have registered for the N3 Japanese test in December, which requires me to focus on grammar and vocabulary, my failure is putting me behind in my studies.
Lil Push Realisation + Reflection > Intercultural Practice
- Realisation: I found it difficult to maintain this habit, especially in the mornings. While I managed to stick to the routine for half a month, my consistency dropped, reducing my reading to three or two times a week. Failing to engage with reading Japanese articles limited my understanding of cultural nuances and learning process.
- Reflection: I think building a strong connection with a new culture requires discipline and consistency. This inconsistency has affected my confidence in preparing for the N3 test in December. At that same time, missing opportunities to engage with the language, I lost chances to absorb valuable cultural insights.
Intercultural Practices INSIGHT(S) / CONCLUSION / FUTURE WORK
- INSIGHT: Japanese culture is deeply embedded in its language. The nuances of formality and societal roles are reflected in word choice and sentence structures. Regularly reading articles would have improved both my language skills and understanding of these cultural norms. This would also enhance my comprehension when watching Japanese anime, which I’ve been a fan of since childhood.
- CONCLUSION: I thinkconsistent engagement with reading Japanese articles is crucial to understanding both the language and the culture. Failing to maintain this consistency hinders both my intercultural learning process and linguistic progress.
- FUTURE WORK: I’ll start my mornings with a cup of coffee to help focus and make reading Japanese articles a daily routine and try to establish a more flexible and realistic routine to accommodate my cultural learning. Moreover, I plan to explore shorter, more engaging content, such as entertainment news or art events, to build a sustainable habit.
