In my case, these phrases have helped me express what I wanted to say.

'I'm cofusing.' 'I need some help.'　-Some expressions in English are hard to translate properly in my mother tongue.  

It's quite tough for me. Reasons ike Sophie says. In adittion, keeping in touch is most difficult part.    

Is that so? I've rather heard that German people are honest. Maybe for that, this streotype is made. 

My friends who are learning basic Japanese can write only Hiragana (or Katakana too), though, they know daily conversational phrases. In that way, they sometimes respond, talk to me in Japanese. Of course they can't hold conversation freely.

I don't know which Japanese level you're at...why not forgetting about Kanji and Katakana and focus on Hiragana first? After that, I'd suggest you to accumulate a lot of expression.  

Oh, this is interesting topic. Does anyone tell me how much is mahjong popular? Like generation, frequency, where you play etc. Because I've seen old people doing mahjong in a park in China many times, but not young or middle age people. 

Yes, if italki have method like you said, it'd be helpful.

As for me, I solved the problem that I don't stick to native speaker. 

Jonathan, have you tried to find langage exchange partner in your place? Netherland seems it's relatively easy to get to know people speaking your target language, at least English. Maybe it isn't?

アメリカの戦没者追悼記念日

皆様こんにちは! 今日は月曜日(だ)。そして、アメリカの戦没者追悼記念日でもある。戦没者追悼記念日にはいつも、私の町でパレードがある。皆がそれを見に来る。この日、両親の店は通常通り営業している。とても忙しいですから、手伝わなければいけない。

Hello everyone! Today's Monday! It's also Memorial Day in America. Every Memorial Day, my town has a parade. Everyone comes and watch. On this day, my parents's shop is usually open. We are also very busy on this day. So, I must help my parents.

Tag, police and thief (a little similar to tag), Dodge ball. Also I loved to play Mario Cart.