Buy a cheap notebook (I recommend moleskine) and jot down any new vocabulary or phrases that you hear. For each entry, write down the new language, its meaning, and one or two examples of its usage. If you hear a word you know used in a new way, write it down again. Google ‘japanese pen friend’ and you’ll find a host of websites dedicated to finding you a Japanese pen friend. Make sure you insist on replies in English and Japanese. best learn Japanese online This is a great way to expose you to new language, and of course, make connections in Japan. If you can’t read Kanji, you should try downloading Rikaichan, a plugin for the Firefox web browser (which you should be using anyway!)