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Japanese

Yup... Seems bed time is soon. Maybe I'll sketch before bed...

Baibai!
 
Learning a new language is hard. I would love to learn a new one some day.

Good luck and praying for you. :pray
 
KevinK -
Do you have any Japanese friends you chat with?

I need some help:

Can you suggest how I study and what and when I study? I dont have any structure, just learning things randomly. How should I go about this?
 
Angel said:
KevinK -
Do you have any Japanese friends you chat with?

I need some help:

Can you suggest how I study and what and when I study? I dont have any structure, just learning things randomly. How should I go about this?
Click to expand...
Yes, I do have Japanese friends, both living in Japan. One is pure Nihonjin, i.e. Japanese citizen born-and-raised in Japan. Fluent obviously (he actually makes his living doing Japanese-English translations). The other is a recent transplant from Hawaii, and speaks about as well as I do, but with one advantage, other than living there- his wife is Japanese (bilingual, actually). However, I rarely speak in Japanese with either of them. We all speak English with each other.

In answer to your big question, a lot depends on you, and your study habits. Do you prefer structured lesson plans, or random access? Both can yield surprising results. Do you prefer textbooks, or live instructors? Do you like software language courses, and/or podcast lesons? Are you a self-motivated lone wolf, or do you like to run with the rest of the pack? Do you naturally pick up on the pronunciation of a foreign language, or require more personalized vocal coaching?

Also it depends on goals: do you want to be fluent some day, or just pick up a few words and phrases, enough to impress your friends.

Give me some insight on your study habits, and I can best guide you along the most effective path for you specifically.
 
KevinK said:
In answer to your big question, a lot depends on you, and your study habits. Do you prefer structured lesson plans, or random access? Both can yield surprising results. Do you prefer textbooks, or live instructors? Do you like software language courses, and/or podcast lesons? Are you a self-motivated lone wolf, or do you like to run with the rest of the pack? Do you naturally pick up on the pronunciation of a foreign language, or require more personalized vocal coaching?

Also it depends on goals: do you want to be fluent some day, or just pick up a few words and phrases, enough to impress your friends.
.
Click to expand...

I prefer structure, I prefer text books, I do have some language courses on DVD/CD. I would prefer to study with the help of someone who knows the language. I am good with pronunciation. Any language I hear I can imitate quite well.

I'm not sure if I should start with just speaking? Or writing? Or both? I'm not sure which is the most practical way.
 
Would you consider an actual class? I mean just for one semester, to get started (that's how I got into it). And I mean with a native Japanese teacher. Reasons: you want to establish good habits from the outset, and avoid bad habits that people tend to never get rid of. Two important areas: 1. correct pronunciation, and 2. using hiragana & katakana as soon as possible (Romaji is a crutch that many people never quite lose). I guess that already answers your second question, about speaking or writing...the answer is both.

If a class turns you off (I thought mine was fun, though it was in a big university setting; a community center class would be more relaxed and informal), how about a tutor for a while? Again, I'm not talking about declaring a major or anything, just a semester/few months to get pointed in all the right directions from the very start.
 
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I took a Japanese 101 college class and it was extremely advanced and I couldn't understand any of it. I did however, keep the books and CD's from the class, so when I am ready I can do the program. As of now, I don't have the money to take another class, but the books and such are college level. I will get there.

Thanks for the reaffirmation that speaking and writing are to be learned together.
 
Oh, you'll get there; it's just a matter of how.

Can I ask what textbooks the instructor used?
 
 
Wow, no wonder you got blown out. That's a hardcore declared major 101 protocol. I'd have trouble plowing through it. The Random House J-E/E-J Dictionary is good, all the info without the fluff. I have a copy and use it even though I have computer-based dictionaries on my iDevices. Living Language Japanese is excellent once you have a basic backround; I don't think I'd throw it at a beginner however. I'm not familiar with the grammar book, English Grammar for Students of Japanese. What I did was to compile my own database of grammarforms, then build up flash cards from that (I use flaashcards for regular vocabulary words, too.) Barron's Japanese Grammar looks OK; manageable info-bites. As far as the software course Tell Me More Japanese, I'm not really person to evaluate. I never even used the one I bought (Power Japanese) and recently gave it away. I'm a more traditional text, notebook, and earphone student. I've never used the net one, but people speak highly of Japanese for Busy People. I think my friend in Japan uses it, and he is making progress but not stressing out. Finally I'd add PG O'Neill's Essential Kanji. More of a reference book than a text, but a very clean source book I continue to use, epecially if your goal is perfect, native-fooling kanji.

Whoa, that's a lot! Hope there's something in there of help, even one thing or two. I'd say get something smple like a cc of Japanese for Busy People for an easy entry that is fun and you will stick with. You can add the other materials to supplement as needed.
 
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What does cc mean?

Next time I go to Barnes and Nobles I look for the Japanese for Busy People.
 
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