!!
I'm interested to hear about different people's study methods. What do you do to try to learn English (or another language)? Do you think it's useful?
I don't study Japanese nearly as much as I used to, but when I used to live in Tokyo this was my method:
- I had a private teacher that I met with one a week for 2 hours or so. We'd spend some time chatting about topics that I was interested in, and then use a reading textbook. Verdict: Very Useful.
- I spent 1-2 hours a day reading Japanese comic books and sometimes simple books like the kind you pick up in a convenience store. I'd highlight things that were hard to understand and try to come back to them later to look up and study. Verdict: Debatable.
There's a lot of other stuff I did, but I don't want this post to get too long. What kind of stuff do you do?
I don't study Japanese nearly as much as I used to, but when I used to live in Tokyo this was my method:
- I had a private teacher that I met with one a week for 2 hours or so. We'd spend some time chatting about topics that I was interested in, and then use a reading textbook. Verdict: Very Useful.
- I spent 1-2 hours a day reading Japanese comic books and sometimes simple books like the kind you pick up in a convenience store. I'd highlight things that were hard to understand and try to come back to them later to look up and study. Verdict: Debatable.
There's a lot of other stuff I did, but I don't want this post to get too long. What kind of stuff do you do?
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コメント(52)
What methods have you guys tried that weren't so successful?
I had a book that I used to use called "An Intermediate Dictionary of Japanese Grammar. It had 2- or 3-page explanations of a bunch of Japanese grammar structures, explained in English but with examples in Japanese. For a while a tried to study one grammar point a day by reading that book and taking notes on it. I can't say for sure, but I don't think any of what I learned that way stuck with me.
I had a book that I used to use called "An Intermediate Dictionary of Japanese Grammar. It had 2- or 3-page explanations of a bunch of Japanese grammar structures, explained in English but with examples in Japanese. For a while a tried to study one grammar point a day by reading that book and taking notes on it. I can't say for sure, but I don't think any of what I learned that way stuck with me.
>phrasemix
thanks for the tip - but unfortunately I live in a small town so I guess I'd have to stuck with chatting on skype or whatever - I have talked to a lot of people in the past and I have to say that 1 out of 10 people are actually quite nice and devoted language learners. We can do a lot of "in-put" studying online but not enough "out-put".
I find the comments here very informative. Look forward to seeing more tips!
thanks for the tip - but unfortunately I live in a small town so I guess I'd have to stuck with chatting on skype or whatever - I have talked to a lot of people in the past and I have to say that 1 out of 10 people are actually quite nice and devoted language learners. We can do a lot of "in-put" studying online but not enough "out-put".
I find the comments here very informative. Look forward to seeing more tips!
Well i started learning Japanese when i started college. So far I've had 5 semesters of Japanese. Um...i find myself studying when i have to, like for tests and quizzes. I study on my own, but i dont spend too much time doing it. But when i do study i found that the best way for me to remember vocab and kanji was for me to write each word and character at least 7 times each while saying them out loud.
Hopefully when i go abroad this fall i will learn A LOT more.lol my listening and kanji skills are horrible. Those are things that i am looking forward to hopefully improving.
Hopefully when i go abroad this fall i will learn A LOT more.lol my listening and kanji skills are horrible. Those are things that i am looking forward to hopefully improving.
see....i think just having a gf or bf isn't necessarily the best way. what matters is motivation, and if a person is so special that they inspire you to study, well there you are. in my experience, however, eigo learners tend to benefit most because of their background--people who already know english tend to fall into traps and not push themselves to learn more, past a certain degree of japanese usage. using web-based IRC can also help, as people expect an answer quickly.: http://www.talkcity.com or similar.
for japanese learners, www.guidetojapanese.org is an astoundingly excellent resource. getting involved in and engaging your community will bring far more than language rewards. chat with random people, smile at them, say your おはようございますes and share sake at the local izakaya or yakitori shop.
for japanese learners, www.guidetojapanese.org is an astoundingly excellent resource. getting involved in and engaging your community will bring far more than language rewards. chat with random people, smile at them, say your おはようございますes and share sake at the local izakaya or yakitori shop.
Yeah. You have to pick your friends wisely. I could accepted you wanted to just be friends and you are willing to help me with Japanese, but having a relationship? No thank you.
Seems like it would be better to make friends with people that aren't really interesting in learning English. It would be easy to tell if they were using you or not.
Seems like it would be better to make friends with people that aren't really interesting in learning English. It would be easy to tell if they were using you or not.
24>
I agree with you. To make a bf or gf for one's language study is so disrespectful. To make a bf or gf and to learn a language should be apart. But if you already have a foreign bf or gf and you want to learn that language which your bf or gf speaks as their native tongue, you can learn it with their supports. Of course, in this case, the agreement for study between you and your bf or gf is necessary.
I agree with you. To make a bf or gf for one's language study is so disrespectful. To make a bf or gf and to learn a language should be apart. But if you already have a foreign bf or gf and you want to learn that language which your bf or gf speaks as their native tongue, you can learn it with their supports. Of course, in this case, the agreement for study between you and your bf or gf is necessary.
Hey phrasemix,
For my Japanese studies, I really like a flashcard program called Anki. Search for it - it's probably the best I've used so far. The cool thing about Anki is that it can synchronize your progress with a central server. You can study on your computer, and then you can use your phone and continue studying. It's quite neat.
Then there's iKnow and smart.fm - another great electronic resources. For composition practice, I use a site called lang-8.com
I also have the Guide to Japanese Grammar series. They're better as reference guides, I feel (when you need to look something up), as oppose to study guides.
For Kanji, I highly recommend James Heseig's Remembering the Kanji. The only bad thing is that I did not discover this awesome book earlier. I'm plowing through it right now, and I learn about 20 new characters a day. Could be more if I spent more time at it; but I can't recommend this enough.
More generally, I've found that the really key thing is not how many information you can cram into your head; but cramming a little bit of information on a regular basis. Studying 100 kanji in one day, and then taking a break for 5 days is really not effective. Doing so much at once just saps your energy. Learning 20 characters a day for 6 days is way better. You don't expend as much energy and, in my experience, retention is a lot better.
And lastly, about making Japanese friends: I've found that it's better to make friends with Japanese people who are NOT studying English. I totally understand that there's a desire to speak the other person's native language, and it can sometimes get in the way. I guess that's what makes it so fun!
Don't get me wrong, I love teaching English, and I definitely recommend teaching too. Learning your own language can give you so much insight into the language you're learning. People tend to take it for granted, but don't ignore your native tongue!
Anyway, I have so much to say, but I'll stop here (^_^
Hope this helps.
For my Japanese studies, I really like a flashcard program called Anki. Search for it - it's probably the best I've used so far. The cool thing about Anki is that it can synchronize your progress with a central server. You can study on your computer, and then you can use your phone and continue studying. It's quite neat.
Then there's iKnow and smart.fm - another great electronic resources. For composition practice, I use a site called lang-8.com
I also have the Guide to Japanese Grammar series. They're better as reference guides, I feel (when you need to look something up), as oppose to study guides.
For Kanji, I highly recommend James Heseig's Remembering the Kanji. The only bad thing is that I did not discover this awesome book earlier. I'm plowing through it right now, and I learn about 20 new characters a day. Could be more if I spent more time at it; but I can't recommend this enough.
More generally, I've found that the really key thing is not how many information you can cram into your head; but cramming a little bit of information on a regular basis. Studying 100 kanji in one day, and then taking a break for 5 days is really not effective. Doing so much at once just saps your energy. Learning 20 characters a day for 6 days is way better. You don't expend as much energy and, in my experience, retention is a lot better.
And lastly, about making Japanese friends: I've found that it's better to make friends with Japanese people who are NOT studying English. I totally understand that there's a desire to speak the other person's native language, and it can sometimes get in the way. I guess that's what makes it so fun!
Don't get me wrong, I love teaching English, and I definitely recommend teaching too. Learning your own language can give you so much insight into the language you're learning. People tend to take it for granted, but don't ignore your native tongue!
Anyway, I have so much to say, but I'll stop here (^_^
Hope this helps.
Hi, about my experiences,
When I was a University sutudent,
I used to participate 7~10 days seminer with other University sutudents .
Then ,I could learn English very well !! and I had a lot of friends !
It was really exciting, emotional, funny, a lot of tears or something interesting to improve English.
Why don't you go those intensive English-only traning circle events^^
Though, I don't speak English now, I can write English ♪〜
Which do you like better ?
【speak English】 or 【write English】 ?・・・ or【both】?
Please try to occur some events by your wants
please forgive me my strange English (laugh x 3).
I wish everything's gonna be great ↑↑↑↑↑♪〜
When I was a University sutudent,
I used to participate 7~10 days seminer with other University sutudents .
Then ,I could learn English very well !! and I had a lot of friends !
It was really exciting, emotional, funny, a lot of tears or something interesting to improve English.
Why don't you go those intensive English-only traning circle events^^
Though, I don't speak English now, I can write English ♪〜
Which do you like better ?
【speak English】 or 【write English】 ?・・・ or【both】?
Please try to occur some events by your wants
please forgive me my strange English (laugh x 3).
I wish everything's gonna be great ↑↑↑↑↑♪〜
I think living in the native countries is the best way to improve your language. I used to study english in Japan but it was quite hard because I was surrounded by Japanese people and language even though I studied it with native speaker. In my case, I move to Australia and have lived with native Australian so my english was improved a lot. Also I was teaching Japanese for high school students and it was good for my english too. Both they and I had some questions about Japanese and english so we could teach each other.
Making native speaker friends and talking with them almost everyday is the best and quickest way to get the skills and knowledge of other languages. This is my experience...
Making native speaker friends and talking with them almost everyday is the best and quickest way to get the skills and knowledge of other languages. This is my experience...
I got like 7,000 gfs and they don't teach or help me with Japanese.
I think they are still sore about losing the war.
War...huh...yeah
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Uh ha haa ha
War...huh...yeah
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing...say it again y'all
War..huh...look out...
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing...listen to me ohhhhh
I think they are still sore about losing the war.
War...huh...yeah
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing
Uh ha haa ha
War...huh...yeah
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing...say it again y'all
War..huh...look out...
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing...listen to me ohhhhh
Hello.
I like studying English, but sometimes it's boring.
So, I change the text to suit my situation.
I use the text for eiken, and pera pera shadowing(NHK), Kikutan English.
Kikutan is very useful because the topics are really full of variety.
And I usually listen English songs, and memorize it.
It helps me to remember how to explain my feelings.
I like studying English, but sometimes it's boring.
So, I change the text to suit my situation.
I use the text for eiken, and pera pera shadowing(NHK), Kikutan English.
Kikutan is very useful because the topics are really full of variety.
And I usually listen English songs, and memorize it.
It helps me to remember how to explain my feelings.
@Chiebon - I also think Grammar in Use is a great book for English learners. AERA English magazine, which has a monthly circulation of 80,000, had thirty-pages featuring Grammar in Use! I have a copy myself and it is a very good reference book.
http://www.cambridge.org.br/news-events/news?renowned-elt-author-raymond-murphy-tours-japan&id=47819
@ba-ri - Textbooks are good to learn the basics, but learning English by discussing things you're interested in (things you can talk for hours about in Japanese) is the way to go I think =) Have you practiced English by talking to people with the same interests? Interests such as sports, music, fashion etc? It makes learning English fun and you also continue to learn new things about that topic.
http://www.cambridge.org.br/news-events/news?renowned-elt-author-raymond-murphy-tours-japan&id=47819
@ba-ri - Textbooks are good to learn the basics, but learning English by discussing things you're interested in (things you can talk for hours about in Japanese) is the way to go I think =) Have you practiced English by talking to people with the same interests? Interests such as sports, music, fashion etc? It makes learning English fun and you also continue to learn new things about that topic.
>Hi, billy.
Of course I want to brush up my English speaking.
Once I went to a school for learning it, but students increased gradually, and I felt that 'the time for speak is too short with many students.'
Now I'm seeking for schools which I could speak enough, and fit my level.
I want to learn by private lesson, but in my city, the school which have private lesson is not so many.
So now I'm searching for the best way for me.
Thanks your advice.
I hope you give me good advice again.
Of course I want to brush up my English speaking.
Once I went to a school for learning it, but students increased gradually, and I felt that 'the time for speak is too short with many students.'
Now I'm seeking for schools which I could speak enough, and fit my level.
I want to learn by private lesson, but in my city, the school which have private lesson is not so many.
So now I'm searching for the best way for me.
Thanks your advice.
I hope you give me good advice again.
Hi,
I am also studing English in my school because I want to study abroad.
I can talk to someone from America, Britain and so on but actually it is not much enough.
So In order to brush up on my English, I usually speak English on Twitter.
I think it is helpful and interesting for those who are eager to speak or talk to someone in English!
Please try to do it. =)
I am also studing English in my school because I want to study abroad.
I can talk to someone from America, Britain and so on but actually it is not much enough.
So In order to brush up on my English, I usually speak English on Twitter.
I think it is helpful and interesting for those who are eager to speak or talk to someone in English!
Please try to do it. =)
Hi Shohei - It's great that you use Twitter and other tools to practice your English. Are there twitter usernames you follow that provides good English learning information? Are there people that helps correct your English? I am interested in learning more about using Twitter to share with friends =) Thank you
I love studying English with an English dictionary.
They would all cover or help learners for how to read/ pronounce/write/speak/use/think/enjoy(←important!)with English.
I personally love the dictionary by Collins Cobuild(*^□^*)
and
YOUTUBE Of course
Radio. and gossip magazines etc(o^∀^o)
They would all cover or help learners for how to read/ pronounce/write/speak/use/think/enjoy(←important!)with English.
I personally love the dictionary by Collins Cobuild(*^□^*)
and
YOUTUBE Of course
Radio. and gossip magazines etc(o^∀^o)
Hi sAYuRi
I recommend "24". It's relatively easy to understand and the story is simple.
If it's too easy for you to understand in Englsh, Then, I want you to watch "super natural" unless you don't like Sci-fi.
It seems like you don't like Sci-fi, but I'm sure it's different.
Sam and Dean are so cool anyway.
I recommend "24". It's relatively easy to understand and the story is simple.
If it's too easy for you to understand in Englsh, Then, I want you to watch "super natural" unless you don't like Sci-fi.
It seems like you don't like Sci-fi, but I'm sure it's different.
Sam and Dean are so cool anyway.
- mixiユーザー
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