The InputDojo Blog
Honest guides for language learners
Research-backed posts on learning Japanese, Chinese, and beyond — written for people who actually want to get fluent, not just collect apps.
How Long Does It Take to Reach B2 English? (Honest Hours)
Realistic hour estimates to reach CEFR B2 English from A1, A2, or B1 — the guided-learning-hours ranges, what B2 actually means, and how input volume shortens the path.
The Gaokao English Vocabulary List: 3,500 Words, Explained
What the ~3,500-word Gaokao English syllabus actually covers, how it's structured, the high-frequency clusters worth front-loading, and a final-year study approach.
How Many Words Do You Need for HSK 4? (2.0 vs 3.0, Honest Numbers)
HSK 4 vocabulary counts explained — 1,200 words under HSK 2.0, ~3,200 under the HSK 3.0 bands — plus realistic timelines and how to actually retain them.
JLPT N3 Study Plan: 6 Months, Week by Week (2026)
A concrete 6-month JLPT N3 plan — vocabulary targets (~3,700 words), ~650 kanji, grammar pacing, mock test cadence, and realistic daily time budgets.
如何用 YouTube 高效学日语（2026 完整指南）
从 N5 到 N1，用 YouTube 沉浸式学日语的完整方法：频道推荐、字幕技巧、生词管理，附免费工具。
日语 N5 到 N1 需要多久？（真实数据+中国人视角）
结合日本国际交流基金会数据与中国学习者实际经验，逐级估算 JLPT N5–N1 所需学习时间。
考研英语和四六级词汇有什么区别？（含备考对照表）
CET-4、CET-6、考研英语一/二的词汇量、题型和难度全对比，附各自适用的学习方法。
沉浸式学英语的 5 个免费工具（2026 版）
不背单词书，用真实内容学英语的免费工具组合：YouTube 双语字幕、外刊阅读、SRS 复习，全部免费。
HSK、托福、雅思——外国人学中文 vs 中国人学英语的对照
对比 HSK 各级、托福、雅思的难度和词汇量，帮你判断自己英语水平相当于外国人的哪个 HSK 等级。
Best Apps for JLPT Prep (N5–N1, 2026 Guide)
The exact app stack passing students use for JLPT N5, N4, N3, N2 and N1 — covering kanji, vocabulary, grammar, reading and listening sections.
Best Free Apps to Learn Chinese in 2026
Free Chinese apps that actually work — covering pinyin, hanzi, HSK vocabulary, listening, and real-content reading. Nothing here costs a cent to start.
Best LingQ Alternatives in 2026 (Free & Paid)
LingQ pioneered learn-by-reading but its UI is dated and pricing has crept up. Here are the best modern alternatives — including one that's free to start.
Best Apps to Learn Japanese in 2026 (Honest Comparison)
We tested every major Japanese learning app — Duolingo, WaniKani, Bunpro, Anki, LingQ, Migaku, and more. Here's which one fits which stage of your journey.
How to Learn English with Netflix — Best Shows & Setup (2026)
Best Netflix shows in English by level, the right subtitle setup, and an active-watching method that actually builds fluency — not just couch time.
How to Learn Russian with Netflix — Best Shows & Setup (2026)
Best Netflix shows in Russian by level, the right subtitle setup, and an active-watching method that actually builds fluency — not just couch time.
How to Learn Portuguese with Netflix — Best Shows & Setup (2026)
Best Netflix shows in Portuguese by level, the right subtitle setup, and an active-watching method that actually builds fluency — not just couch time.
How to Learn Italian with Netflix — Best Shows & Setup (2026)
Best Netflix shows in Italian by level, the right subtitle setup, and an active-watching method that actually builds fluency — not just couch time.
How to Learn German with Netflix — Best Shows & Setup (2026)
Best Netflix shows in German by level, the right subtitle setup, and an active-watching method that actually builds fluency — not just couch time.
How to Learn Korean with Netflix — Best Shows & Setup (2026)
Best Netflix shows in Korean by level, the right subtitle setup, and an active-watching method that actually builds fluency — not just couch time.
How to Learn French with Netflix — Best Shows & Setup (2026)
Best Netflix shows in French by level, the right subtitle setup, and an active-watching method that actually builds fluency — not just couch time.
How to Learn Spanish with Netflix — Best Shows & Setup (2026)
Best Netflix shows in Spanish by level, the right subtitle setup, and an active-watching method that actually builds fluency — not just couch time.
How to Learn Chinese with Netflix — Best Shows & Setup (2026)
Best Netflix shows in Chinese by level, the right subtitle setup, and an active-watching method that actually builds fluency — not just couch time.
How to Learn Japanese with Netflix — Best Shows & Setup (2026)
Best Netflix shows in Japanese by level, the right subtitle setup, and an active-watching method that actually builds fluency — not just couch time.
How to Learn English with YouTube (2026 Playbook)
The best English YouTube channels by level — plus a 4-step method to turn passive watching into real fluency with interactive subtitles and SRS.
How to Learn Russian with YouTube (2026 Playbook)
The best Russian YouTube channels by level — plus a 4-step method to turn passive watching into real fluency with interactive subtitles and SRS.
How to Learn Portuguese with YouTube (2026 Playbook)
The best Portuguese YouTube channels by level — plus a 4-step method to turn passive watching into real fluency with interactive subtitles and SRS.
How to Learn Italian with YouTube (2026 Playbook)
The best Italian YouTube channels by level — plus a 4-step method to turn passive watching into real fluency with interactive subtitles and SRS.
How to Learn German with YouTube (2026 Playbook)
The best German YouTube channels by level — plus a 4-step method to turn passive watching into real fluency with interactive subtitles and SRS.
How to Learn Korean with YouTube (2026 Playbook)
The best Korean YouTube channels by level — plus a 4-step method to turn passive watching into real fluency with interactive subtitles and SRS.
How to Learn French with YouTube (2026 Playbook)
The best French YouTube channels by level — plus a 4-step method to turn passive watching into real fluency with interactive subtitles and SRS.
How to Learn Spanish with YouTube (2026 Playbook)
The best Spanish YouTube channels by level — plus a 4-step method to turn passive watching into real fluency with interactive subtitles and SRS.
How to Learn Chinese with YouTube (2026 Playbook)
The best Chinese YouTube channels by level — plus a 4-step method to turn passive watching into real fluency with interactive subtitles and SRS.
How to Learn Japanese with YouTube (2026 Playbook)
The best Japanese YouTube channels by level — plus a 4-step method to turn passive watching into real fluency with interactive subtitles and SRS.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Japanese? (Honest 2026 Answer)
A realistic, hour-by-hour breakdown of how long it takes to learn Japanese from N5 to N1 — based on FSI data, JLPT requirements, and what actually works.
汉语母语者学日语的 3 个隐藏优势（和 2 个陷阱）
中国人学日语比欧美人快很多，但汉字优势也会带来发音和敬语的陷阱。这篇讲清楚怎么发挥优势、避开陷阱。
日语听力总是听不懂？3 个真正有效的突破方法
N1 阅读满分但听力总在 50 分徘徊？这是最常见的中国学习者困境。这里是走出困境的三个方法。
Is Japanese Hard to Learn? What's Actually Difficult (and What Isn't)
Japanese is hard for English speakers — but not for the reasons most people think. Here's a breakdown of which parts are genuinely difficult and which are easier than expected.
英语口语练习：没有外教也能有效的 4 种方法
找不到外教或没钱报班？用这四种方法，每天 20 分钟，3 个月开口流利。
The Best Way to Learn Chinese Characters (Hanzi) in 2026
Forget rote memorization. Here's the modern, research-backed approach to learning Hanzi — using radicals, spaced repetition, and real reading.
JLPT N5 Vocabulary List & Study Guide (800 Words You Actually Need)
The complete JLPT N5 vocabulary list — all ~800 words you need to pass, plus how long it takes and the smartest order to learn them in.
The Best Way to Learn a Language by Reading (Comprehensible Input Explained)
Why reading is the highest-ROI activity in language learning, and how to do it correctly even as a beginner. The science of comprehensible input.
How to Learn Japanese by Yourself in 2026 (Step-by-Step)
A complete self-study roadmap for Japanese — from zero to conversational. Free resources, the right order to learn things, and how to avoid the most common trap.
Hiragana vs Katakana — What's the Difference and Why Both Exist
A clear explainer of hiragana vs katakana — what each script is for, when each is used, and the fastest way to learn both.
The Best Way to Learn Kanji (and Why Most Methods Fail)
Compare the major approaches to learning kanji — RTK, WaniKani, frequency-first, and reading-in-context — and find the one that actually fits adult learners.
How Many Kanji Do You Need to Know to Read Japanese?
The honest numbers — by JLPT level, by newspaper coverage, by novel coverage. Plus the smarter question to ask instead.
Chinese vs Japanese — Which Is Harder for English Speakers?
A side-by-side breakdown of Chinese vs Japanese difficulty — grammar, pronunciation, writing system, time to fluency. Honest answer included.
HSK vs JLPT — Which Language Test Should You Take?
Compare HSK (Chinese) and JLPT (Japanese) — what they test, how they're scored, career value, and which one you actually need.
Comprehensible Input for Japanese — What It Is and How to Use It
The Krashen-based method behind every successful self-learner — explained, with concrete resources for using comprehensible input in Japanese.
Japanese Particles — A Plain-English Guide to は, が, を, に, で, へ, と, も
The eight Japanese particles every beginner struggles with — what each one actually does, with side-by-side examples that make the distinctions click.