I totally agree with the 4 rules listed here (especially #1), but in line with other comments I don't see how LLMs make flashcards for language learning obsolete. If anything, after ~15 months of semi-casual Japanese learning, with flashcards as a core part of my routine, I'm even more convinced of the power of brute force memorization / spaced repetition. I often have moments where I'm presented with a word I can't quite remember, and 90% of the time my "gut instinct" on the pronunciation is correct (I'm usually wrong when I second guess myself). It's a spooky feeling being able to summon the correct pronunciation for a word from deep within my brain when I've consciously told myself "I don't really remember this one".
Also agree that learning a bunch of vocab / flashcards is only a small part of language learning, and it should only be a small % of your studies. After ~80k review items in ~15 months, I'm at the point where I simply spend 20-30 mins. before bed knocking out 100-140 review items (both recognition and recall). Now it's just part of my daily routine and I genuinely still enjoy it. I invested a lot of initial time with flashcards while working through Genki I+II just to lay some solid foundations, more like 200-300 review items a day (knowing some Chinese was my main headstart with this).
+1 for Skritter. I was an early user way back in 2011 for Chinese, and after setting language learning aside for many years it was a joy to boot it back up. I much prefer the Kana/Kanji interface for writing practice than Anki. Admittedly it is a bit pricey, though. I'd also highly recommend Satori reader as a reading/listening practice app. Aside from that, plenty of manga, conversational Japanese 'podcasts' on YouTube, anime, and video games helps. Next step is to find a tutor at some point....
One thing that I've always found weird among the Japanese language learning community is the emphasis on drilling/learning individual Kanji. I don't really recall this being a "thing" in Chinese (presumably b/c you're on the hook for 4-5+k Hanzi rather than 2-3k Kanji :D). Truly bizarre to me to drill individual Kanji out-of-context rather than just learn a couple of common words that use them.
Also agree that learning a bunch of vocab / flashcards is only a small part of language learning, and it should only be a small % of your studies. After ~80k review items in ~15 months, I'm at the point where I simply spend 20-30 mins. before bed knocking out 100-140 review items (both recognition and recall). Now it's just part of my daily routine and I genuinely still enjoy it. I invested a lot of initial time with flashcards while working through Genki I+II just to lay some solid foundations, more like 200-300 review items a day (knowing some Chinese was my main headstart with this).
+1 for Skritter. I was an early user way back in 2011 for Chinese, and after setting language learning aside for many years it was a joy to boot it back up. I much prefer the Kana/Kanji interface for writing practice than Anki. Admittedly it is a bit pricey, though. I'd also highly recommend Satori reader as a reading/listening practice app. Aside from that, plenty of manga, conversational Japanese 'podcasts' on YouTube, anime, and video games helps. Next step is to find a tutor at some point....
One thing that I've always found weird among the Japanese language learning community is the emphasis on drilling/learning individual Kanji. I don't really recall this being a "thing" in Chinese (presumably b/c you're on the hook for 4-5+k Hanzi rather than 2-3k Kanji :D). Truly bizarre to me to drill individual Kanji out-of-context rather than just learn a couple of common words that use them.