Free This or That Templates for Japanese Learning Communities

Looking for quick and fun ways to get your Japanese learning community talking? This or That prompts make it easy to start lighthearted conversations and help members connect over their language journey. Use these ready-made templates to save time and keep engagement flowing.

Japanese Learning 42 Templates

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Why This Works

This or That prompts are effective because they offer low-pressure choices that lower the barrier to participation. Members do not need to craft long responses or worry about being right or wrong, making it easy for even shy or new members to join in. The playful, rapid-fire format sparks spontaneous engagement, often leading to members elaborating on their choices and connecting with others who share similar preferences.

For Japanese learning communities, these prompts can surface fun cultural differences, learning styles, and favorite resources, building a sense of community around shared interests. They help reinforce language exposure and cultural understanding, all while keeping the tone relaxed and enjoyable. By centering around familiar topics, This or That posts encourage more frequent and organic interactions.

42 Ready-to-Use Templates

1

Hiragana or Katakana - which was easier for you to learn?

💡 Example: "Hiragana or Katakana - which was easier for you to learn? Tell us why!"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #writing #beginner
2

Textbook study or language app - which do you prefer for practice?

💡 Example: "Textbook study or language app - which do you prefer for practice? Let us know!"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #study #tools
3

Anime or J-Pop - which helps you learn more new words?

💡 Example: "Anime or J-Pop - which helps you learn more new words?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #media #vocabulary
4

Speaking with natives or watching dramas - which boosts your listening skills?

💡 Example: "Speaking with natives or watching dramas - which boosts your listening skills? Share your pick!"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #listening #practice
5

Kanji flashcards or writing practice - what helps you memorize better?

💡 Example: "Kanji flashcards or writing practice - what helps you memorize better?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #kanji #memory
6

Group study or solo study - which keeps you more motivated?

💡 Example: "Group study or solo study - which keeps you more motivated? Vote below!"

🔴 High Engagement Barrier 👤 Top #motivation #study
7

Learning grammar rules or picking up phrases - what do you enjoy more?

💡 Example: "Learning grammar rules or picking up phrases - what do you enjoy more?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #grammar #phrases
8

Flashcards or spaced repetition apps - which do you stick with longer?

💡 Example: "Flashcards or spaced repetition apps - which do you stick with longer?"

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #tools #habit
9

Japanese subtitles or English subtitles - which do you use more when watching shows?

💡 Example: "Japanese subtitles or English subtitles - which do you use more when watching shows? Share your answer!"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #media #listening
10

Tokyo dialect or Kansai dialect - which sounds cooler to you?

💡 Example: "Tokyo dialect or Kansai dialect - which sounds cooler to you?"

🔴 High Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #dialect #culture
11

Writing by hand or typing on your phone - how do you like to practice kanji?

💡 Example: "Writing by hand or typing on your phone - how do you like to practice kanji?"

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #kanji #practice
12

Learning with friends or making new Japanese friends online - which is more fun?

💡 Example: "Learning with friends or making new Japanese friends online - which is more fun? Comment below!"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #community #friendship
13

Studying in the morning or at night - when does Japanese stick better for you?

💡 Example: "Studying in the morning or at night - when does Japanese stick better for you?"

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #routine #study
14

Reading manga or news articles - what helps your reading skills more?

💡 Example: "Reading manga or news articles - what helps your reading skills more?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #reading #media
15

JLPT practice or casual conversation - what do you focus on most?

💡 Example: "JLPT practice or casual conversation - what do you focus on most?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #exam #conversation
16

Traditional calligraphy or modern emoji - which do you like using in messages?

💡 Example: "Traditional calligraphy or modern emoji - which do you like using in messages? Share with us!"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #writing #culture
17

Learning with podcasts or YouTube videos - what helps your comprehension more?

💡 Example: "Learning with podcasts or YouTube videos - what helps your comprehension more?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #audio #media
18

Working towards JLPT N2 or focusing on speaking fluency - what is your current goal?

💡 Example: "Working towards JLPT N2 or focusing on speaking fluency - what is your current goal?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #goals #exam
19

Japanese snacks or Japanese tea - which would you choose for a study break?

💡 Example: "Japanese snacks or Japanese tea - which would you choose for a study break?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #culture #breaks
20

Digital flashcards or paper notebooks - which do you use more for vocabulary?

💡 Example: "Digital flashcards or paper notebooks - which do you use more for vocabulary?"

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #vocabulary #tools
21

Learning slang or learning keigo - which is trickier for you?

💡 Example: "Learning slang or learning keigo - which is trickier for you?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #slang #keigo
22

Japanese drama binge or language exchange chat - favorite weekend study plan?

💡 Example: "Japanese drama binge or language exchange chat - favorite weekend study plan? Tell us!"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #weekend #study
23

Learning with games or quizzes - which keeps you more engaged?

💡 Example: "Learning with games or quizzes - which keeps you more engaged?"

🔴 High Engagement Barrier 👤 Top #games #engagement
24

Writing journal entries or making voice notes - which helps you review best?

💡 Example: "Writing journal entries or making voice notes - which helps you review best?"

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #review #practice
25

Learning on your commute or learning at home - when do you study more often?

💡 Example: "Learning on your commute or learning at home - when do you study more often?"

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #routine #study
26

Kawaii stationery or digital planners - which motivates your study sessions?

💡 Example: "Kawaii stationery or digital planners - which motivates your study sessions? Share below!"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #motivation #tools
27

Joining a Japanese class or self-teaching - what is your approach?

💡 Example: "Joining a Japanese class or self-teaching - what is your approach?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #methods #learning
28

Learning Japanese for travel or for work - what started your journey?

💡 Example: "Learning Japanese for travel or for work - what started your journey?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #motivation #goals
29

Using romaji or starting with kana - how did you begin learning?

💡 Example: "Using romaji or starting with kana - how did you begin learning?"

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #beginner #writing
30

Reading out loud or silent reading - which helps your pronunciation?

💡 Example: "Reading out loud or silent reading - which helps your pronunciation? Try it today!"

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #pronunciation #reading
31

Making mistakes or playing it safe - how do you learn best?

💡 Example: "Making mistakes or playing it safe - how do you learn best?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #learning #confidence
32

Favorite to learn: food vocabulary or travel phrases?

💡 Example: "Favorite to learn: food vocabulary or travel phrases?"

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #vocabulary #travel
33

Kanji by radicals or by frequency - what is your study style?

💡 Example: "Kanji by radicals or by frequency - what is your study style? Vote below!"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #kanji #methods
34

Japanese podcasts or Japanese radio - which do you listen to more?

💡 Example: "Japanese podcasts or Japanese radio - which do you listen to more?"

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #audio #media
35

Early bird lessons or late-night cramming - which fits your schedule?

💡 Example: "Early bird lessons or late-night cramming - which fits your schedule? Comment!"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #study #routine
36

Learning kanji stroke order or just recognizing shapes - which do you focus on?

💡 Example: "Learning kanji stroke order or just recognizing shapes - which do you focus on?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #kanji #writing
37

Joining language exchanges or finding a tutor - which do you prefer?

💡 Example: "Joining language exchanges or finding a tutor - which do you prefer? Let us know!"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Frequent #practice #methods
38

Making flashcards or taking handwritten notes - how do you learn vocab?

💡 Example: "Making flashcards or taking handwritten notes - how do you learn vocab?"

🟢 Low Engagement Barrier 👤 Lurker #vocabulary #study
39

Memorizing set phrases or building sentences from grammar - what is easier for you?

💡 Example: "Memorizing set phrases or building sentences from grammar - what is easier for you?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #grammar #phrases
40

Learning with pen pals or practicing with AI chatbots - which do you try first?

💡 Example: "Learning with pen pals or practicing with AI chatbots - which do you try first? Reply below!"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Irregular #practice #technology
41

Japanese YouTubers or Japanese podcasts - who do you follow more?

💡 Example: "Japanese YouTubers or Japanese podcasts - who do you follow more?"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #media #influencers
42

Listening to J-Rock or J-Pop - which genre do you prefer for language learning?

💡 Example: "Listening to J-Rock or J-Pop - which genre do you prefer for language learning? Share your thoughts!"

🟡 Medium Engagement Barrier 👤 Average #music #listening

How to Use These Templates

To use these templates, simply copy and paste one into your community platform of choice. You can schedule them as regular weekly posts, add them to stories, or use them as icebreakers in group chats. Encourage members to not only pick a side but also to share why they chose their answer for deeper interaction. For added variety, invite members to submit their own This or That ideas or follow up with related questions to keep the conversation going.

Best Practices

  • Keep choices light, fun, and non-controversial.
  • Rotate between cultural, language, and lifestyle topics.
  • Encourage replies with a simple call to action.
  • Respond to member answers to spark further discussion.
  • Use visuals or emojis to make prompts more engaging.

All Platforms Tips

For all platforms, adapt your post format to fit the features available. Use polls on platforms that support them, or ask for replies in comments or stories. Add relevant hashtags to increase visibility, and use @mentions to draw in specific members or groups. Adjust post timing based on when your community is most active.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I use 'This or That' templates to help members practice distinguishing between similar Japanese particles, like は (wa) vs が (ga)?

You can create 'This or That' prompts that present sentences where members choose which particle is correct in context. For example, 'このりんご___おいしい (は/が)?' This helps learners focus on nuanced grammar differences and encourages active participation as they justify their choices.

What's an effective way to design 'This or That' posts around commonly confused kanji, such as 生 (sei) vs 正 (sei)?

Craft prompts that display two similar-looking kanji with their meanings or example words, prompting members to select which character fits a specific context. For instance, 'Which kanji means "life": 生 or 正?' This reinforces character recognition and practical vocabulary usage.

Can 'This or That' templates be used to engage advanced learners with keigo (敬語) vs casual speech scenarios?

Absolutely! Post scenarios where members must choose the appropriate register, such as 'Would you say お疲れ様です or じゃあね to a coworker?' This highlights cultural nuance and helps advanced learners master appropriate usage in different contexts.

How do I incorporate JLPT-level vocabulary or grammar into 'This or That' posts to target learners at different proficiency levels?

Label each 'This or That' prompt with its JLPT level (e.g., N3, N2) and ask members to choose the correct word or grammar structure for a given sentence. For example, 'Which fits better here (N3 level): ために or ように?' This enables targeted practice and helps members self-assess their readiness for exams.

What are some ways to use 'This or That' to address common pronunciation challenges with Japanese words like つ (tsu) vs す (su)?

Share audio clips or phonetic spellings and ask members to identify which option matches the pronunciation they hear. For example, play an audio and ask, 'Is this つ or す?' This interactive approach sharpens listening skills and addresses a well-known difficulty for non-native speakers.

How can I use 'This or That' to highlight differences in meaning between katakana loanwords and their English originals, such as コンセント (consento) vs 'consent'?

Create comparisons where members guess the true meaning of katakana words in Japanese versus their English counterparts. For example, 'Does コンセント mean "consent" or "electrical outlet" in Japanese?' This raises awareness of false friends and prevents common vocabulary pitfalls.

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