Interleaving practice: mix Japanese drills to avoid the plateau

Why mixing works

Interleaving forces you to choose the right phrase, not just repeat it. That decision step makes the memory stronger and more flexible.

It feels slower because it is harder. That is the point. It prepares you for real life where the context changes every day.

The interleaving week

• Day 1: konbini phrase set (5 minutes).
• Day 2: clinic phrase set (5 minutes).
• Day 3: restaurant phrase set (5 minutes).
• Day 4: mix all three (5 minutes).
• Day 5: mix all three again (5 minutes).
• Day 6: review only what you missed (3 minutes).
• Day 7: use one line in real life.

In TabiTalk, I keep three short scenarios and rotate them. I use a Scenario drill so the switch happens fast.

The phrase bank (so Day 4 actually works)

Interleaving only works if you have enough phrases to rotate. This is a small bank for one week. Day 1 to Day 3 is learning the sets. Day 4 and Day 5 is mixing the sets.

Konbini set (Day 1)

Clinic set (Day 2)

Restaurant set (Day 3)

Day 4: how to mix (exact steps)

Day 4 is where interleaving actually happens. You are training switching, not polishing one situation.

1. Pick six phrases. Two from konbini, two from clinic, two from restaurant.
2. Set a 5 minute timer. Short and fast beats long and perfect.
3. Shuffle the order. Do not do them in groups.
4. Say the Japanese out loud. One attempt per phrase.
5. Quick check. If you missed it, repeat the correct line once, then move on.
6. Second round. Same six phrases, new shuffled order.

Day 5 is the same drill, but with six different phrases from the bank. Day 6 is just cleanup. Write down the two lines you keep missing and repeat them once.

If you are using TabiTalk, do it like this: run one turn of the konbini scenario, then one turn of the clinic, then one turn of the restaurant. Repeat. The point is the switch.

Example: one mixed round (what Day 4 should feel like)

A mixed round should feel slightly annoying. That tiny hesitation is your brain learning to choose.

The takeaway

If you only practise one situation, your brain learns the situation, not the language. Mixing forces you to choose and switch. That is what real life demands.

• Keep two to three scenarios. Do not add more until these feel easy.
• Learn the sets first. Day 1 to Day 3 is setup.
• Mix twice. Day 4 and Day 5 is where transfer happens.
• Use one line in real life. That is the test that matters.

Related guides to practise with

• Japanese phrases for convenience stores in Japan
• How to order at a Japanese family restaurant
• Survival Japanese for your first week in Tokyo

Sources

• Interleaving practice overview.
• Bjork Lab on desirable difficulties.
• Rohrer and Taylor (2007) on interleaving effects.