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 Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 3:58 pm
I'm studying at University, but I'm only second year, and I only have 4 hours of Japanese per week, since my major is Chinese (bleh). So my knowledge of the language is still very shallow.
Also, the book we use is Minna no Nihongo, which comes with the most hilarious videos.
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Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 12:32 pm
I use Genki (at lesson 6 of volume 1 now). Personally I think it's a really good book as it works well with self study. I also have Oxford Japanese grammar & verbs, which is great for reference. It also explains a lot of the different styles of speaking (keigo) and when they are used.
If anybody is looking for a good (free) digital dictionary I'd recommend Wakan. It's can be used as dictionary and as a Kanji reference tool.
Other than that I listen to J-Pop all day at my work and I've started watching anime without subs. Only the simpler ones though like Chii's sweet home and Shugo Chara. Stuff like GITS:SAC is hard enough to keep up with with the subtitles on. >_<
One thing that I found to be really good for improving the speed of my reading, is to try to read every bit of Japanese text that I see on tv. So that includes stuff that flashes by during the eight o'clock news or sports events.
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Posted: Sun Sep 13, 2009 6:34 pm
I've been totally immersing myself in Japanese, AJATT style (well almost... I mean I'm here now, writing Enlish XD)
I have, at the beginning, opened a few grammar books for some very basic things, but aside from that, I've left the grammar stuff behind. I've been kinda picking it up naturally as I go along... in the future, when I know more, I will probably look up grammer points and rules that help me sort out the words and phrases that I already pretty much know. I mean it's hard to learn grammar without already having the examples in your head, yeah?
I'm trying to incorporate more and more Japanese into my life, and that's working. If there's a Japanese version of a website that I go to, then I use that. If not, I try not to visit there much. I listen to only Japanese music and watch only Japanese movies, TV, news, etc. The Japanese TV is actually on in the background right now. whee
I've been learning kanji everyday... so far I only have learned about 400 or so, but already I can see the difference! The book I have is NOT that remembering the kanji by Heisig dealy that everyone's talking about. It's just a kanji book that explains how to write each kanji, gives the onyomi and kunyomi, and then about five example compound words - using only other kanji learned up until that point. Also, the order is basically the order of the most common kanji first... so actually, since I've known a little over 200 kanji, I've already been able to understand quite a lot of Japanese on news sites and things!!
And when learning the kanji, I have been making up little stories in my head for most of them, so as to remember them more easily. Then I'm using the surusu program to remember some compound words that they're in, so that I don't forget them.
Also, because of the compound words I'm learning, I've been hearing various words I've learned and they've been sticking! It's awesome. Each time I hear a Japanese movie or play or show or something, I understand more and more!
Oh, and having an extreme, extreme obsession with the Takarazuka review helps (Japanese theatre). It helps a LOT. Especially since there are no subs, and I am just dying to know what these woman are saying!! And maybe... the fact that I play it as often as I breathe.... xp heart xd
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Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:20 pm
The_Brightest_Moon Ukryu My Japanese is 100% self-studied. These are the resources that I use: Genki I (textbook, almost at Genki II sweatdrop ) www.smart.fm www.guidetojapanese.org I also practice a AJATT-like method where I listen to mostly Japanese music and watch subbed anime. I also listen to some podcasts such as www.japanesepod101.com I use most of these things too, except for the Genki. NO. NO ANIME. BAD. VERY VERY BAD. What is wrong with learning from animes? sweatdrop redface :O
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Beloved Conversationalist
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Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 8:40 pm
Colonel Gabrielle What is wrong with learning from animes? sweatdrop redface :O Try learning English from Shakespearean plays. wink Or from listening to American rap music. Yes, the language being spoken is English, but people don't ACTUALLY talk that way in normal conversation most of the time. It's the same way with anime. If you learn from anime, you won't learn a lot of important things, for example, proper levels of politeness for different social situations, or you might end up speaking like a shrine maiden instead of a normal person.
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Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2009 8:49 pm
i started off teaching myself because there were no classes available during middle school and highschool, then when i got to college i started taking japanese class! this is my 2nd year taking japanese. currently we are in genki 2 and we'll be picking up with chapter 17 for spring semester. next december i'll be taking the 3rd level of the JLPT and we're taking a class trip to japan the summer after next(summer 2011 i think)^_^ i'm really excited about all of this because it's been my dream to go to japan ever since 4th grade when i became obsessed with anime and everything from japan!
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