Okay. Well i've only been apart of this guild for a few days now, but i've already noticed that some people have asked questions that requires someone to push them in the right direction. Well here i'll help! If today is the first or second day that you have began your studies, you may want to make sure you have certain things- A small binder or notebook, internet, a printer, and a good textbook. (Optional- A fine point pen, special paper, or some sort of extra help. In other words a tutor) You may also want to consider a nice instant messaging program like Skype or Yahoo. Sorry MSN fans... I think that those would be best, but if it comes down to it MSN works too. Now. As for a good textbook:
-If you have a tutor of some sort, or just a friend who's FLUENT that is going through it with you i'd suggest the Genki series. Oh did I mention search your couch for spare change as Genki textbooks are not cheap. (Even on Amazon!) You may also want to have some sort of prior knowlege of the language as well. The website(s) is http://genki.japantimes.co.jp/ (Japanese Ver.) and http://genki.japantimes.co.jp/index.en.html (English Ver.)
-In my opinion, if you're truely a begginer you will want to try using Japanese from Zero 1. It's a great way to get started, BUT you may still want some sort of source to help you with pronounciation. You will also need to be commited to studying the language since it moves a somewhat of a quick pase. Before you know it you'll be moving on to the next book! The people who created this book are a part of the site www.yesjapan.com and if you have some spare money to spend every month or two, i'd suggest getting a membership! They're very well organized and can be a big help to you.
..moving on..
You will DEFINATELY need internet (but if you see this page i'm sure you have it now.. mrgreen ) When you're studying on your own, you need something to help you go on. Hey! You're in a guild, where i'm sure you can gather up a few trustworthy people, and form a study group! Skype is a wonderful service that allows you to hold live podcasts and private conferences. Maybe you could start something big, just make sure you know what you're doing. Now i'm sure you know why I said you may want to have a printer, but not so much why I said you will want a binder or notebok. Of course you will want to be able to print out worksheets or past conversations. (etc..) You also need to consider taking notes or printing notes for on the go, and a good way to stay organized is to have a binder or a notebook.
I hope this helps anyone who's wondering about this! If you have any extra questions just PM me or add me, or just drop me a comment. I'd be happy to help. Good luck everyone. Sayonara! wink
~Yumiko
-If you have a tutor of some sort, or just a friend who's FLUENT that is going through it with you i'd suggest the Genki series. Oh did I mention search your couch for spare change as Genki textbooks are not cheap. (Even on Amazon!) You may also want to have some sort of prior knowlege of the language as well. The website(s) is http://genki.japantimes.co.jp/ (Japanese Ver.) and http://genki.japantimes.co.jp/index.en.html (English Ver.)
-In my opinion, if you're truely a begginer you will want to try using Japanese from Zero 1. It's a great way to get started, BUT you may still want some sort of source to help you with pronounciation. You will also need to be commited to studying the language since it moves a somewhat of a quick pase. Before you know it you'll be moving on to the next book! The people who created this book are a part of the site www.yesjapan.com and if you have some spare money to spend every month or two, i'd suggest getting a membership! They're very well organized and can be a big help to you.
..moving on..
You will DEFINATELY need internet (but if you see this page i'm sure you have it now.. mrgreen ) When you're studying on your own, you need something to help you go on. Hey! You're in a guild, where i'm sure you can gather up a few trustworthy people, and form a study group! Skype is a wonderful service that allows you to hold live podcasts and private conferences. Maybe you could start something big, just make sure you know what you're doing. Now i'm sure you know why I said you may want to have a printer, but not so much why I said you will want a binder or notebok. Of course you will want to be able to print out worksheets or past conversations. (etc..) You also need to consider taking notes or printing notes for on the go, and a good way to stay organized is to have a binder or a notebook.
I hope this helps anyone who's wondering about this! If you have any extra questions just PM me or add me, or just drop me a comment. I'd be happy to help. Good luck everyone. Sayonara! wink
~Yumiko
(p.s. Yes it's true I own a website for a group that I tutor, but it's currently private. It may soon be going public or I may open up the membership!)www.study-japanese.pbwiki.com
