We are live! Let's learn Japanese.

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A lot has happened since my last post!

Scribelate is officially live — though I launched it quietly, and intentionally so. It's functional, but it's also evolving fast. I'm learning what it takes to run a real production app: backups, auto-scaling, managing service quotas, and all the unglamorous details that come with it.

More importantly, it works. And before I invest in any serious marketing, I want to validate the core theory behind Scribelate. What better way to do that than to test it on myself? 

Using My Own Product

Scribelate became functional in late January, and I've been using it daily ever since — sometimes as a developer, sometimes as a user. That dual perspective made it obvious where the gaps were. Since then, I've added a Vocabulary Review system, YouTube integration, and a Reporting feature.

The Reporting Feature

One of my favorite additions is the Total Listening Time graph, which tracks how long you've spent listening to podcasts or YouTube videos in your target language. The idea is simple: listening is one of the fastest ways to build comprehension, which is the foundation of fluency.

Since February 5th, I've accumulated 22+ hours of listening to Japanese. Is that a lot? Honestly, I'm not sure yet — but that's the point. Over time, I'll be able to see exactly how many hours of "scribelating" it takes before the language starts to feel comfortable.

Setting a Goal

A quick search turned up some estimates on hours needed to reach various proficiency levels (based on classroom instruction). I suspect Scribelate is a more efficient way to learn, but I'm using those numbers as a rough benchmark.



At my current pace of around 15+ hours a month, I'm aiming to reach B1–B2 level Japanese in about a year — roughly 180 hours total. At the end of that period of time here is what I am aiming for:

  • 100% comprehension? No.
  • Able to read at a Fluent/Comprehending level (Ages 9-15)? Yes.
  • Watch a Netflix show comfortably? Yes.
  • Hold a conversation about day to day activities? Yes.

Let's see how it goes — and I'll keep you updated as the journey continues.


-Aaron

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