Japanese is a really fun language to learn and surprisingly simple, and when you're back in Japan you'll see the benefits of having even the most basic Japanese skill.

I've had private lessons for about 3 years, and it's been a great life experience. First went to Japan and did homestay with relatives, but they didn't speak much english, so we used Google translate for most of our speaking which was a bit awkward, but I wish I had conversation and less awkward encounters.

When returning home I decided to get private lessons so that next time I go back, I can have conversation with family and make new connections. I got to live in Japan for a few years and having the language skills helped me deepen my connection with the culture and people. And the homestay family were so happy and surprised when I came back and they didn't need a translator or pointing and grunting at things.

When you start it will be awkward just like learning anything new, but you'll get to a point after nailing greetings and telling the weather/time where you begin to have conversations and it's so fulfilling and fun, and even becomes a life skill and hobby that you keep refining over time.

Here are some extra resources that may help your new journey. Hit me up in the DM's if you want any advice on textbooks/grammar/pronunciation. I'm sure chat can help chime in with their advice/experiences, too. Good luck! がんばって！ (Gan ba te - do your best).

https://jisho.org/ (useful phone app for new words - not really a translator, use google translator instead)

https://www.youtube.com/c/japanesepod101 (Listening and context learning)

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/languagesonline/japanese/japanese.htm (Simple games and quiz's)

(Best book to start with, in my opinion. Easy and simple learning structure) https://www.amazon.com/Minna-No-Nihongo-Beginner-2nd/dp/4883196038/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=minna no nihongo&qid=1636769473&qsid=142-1791943-6382056&sr=8-1&sres=4883196038,B07RY5LJCK,B08X7H788N,B08X4QQTL4,4883196046,4883196461,B07B2N2XSR,4883196275,B07B2MW8BX,4883196836,B07S2BRSTB,488319664X,4883197441,B0951Z39W1,B07C5FH835,B07B2N826Y