Reading early speeds up grammar intuition. Keep texts short, predictable, and slightly below your frustration threshold.
Sources
- Graded readers, learner blogs, kids’ news, simple signage.
- Manga with furigana; avoid dense fantasy at first.
Routine
- Skim first; predict content from headings and images.
- Read aloud; mark particles and verb endings.
- Summarize each paragraph in one Japanese sentence.
- Add only high‑value cards to SRS.
If kanji slow you down, study component groups and stroke order for 10 minutes before reading.