Over the last 12 months I’ve bought no less than 7 books relating to learning various components of the Japanese Language and I’ve learnt one major lesson, just having them in the same room as me isn’t enough.
Hoping the “learning” will magically jump from the books into my head was a nice thought but all these books really need to be opened, read and studied ….. easier said than done.
I guess I’m disappointed in my current level of Japanese and can easily highlight the reason why, my own laziness, i`m sure this will reflect in the JLPT results from this year.
The thought of coming home from a long day and opening up a book just doesn’t appeal to me and it probably never will. Of the books i own and know Friends use, these are pretty much a good place to start.
I also know my own strengths in learning and this isn’t the most effective for me, i can read it all day long but if i don’t get it i just don’t get it.
I haven’t given up and won’t give up either. Currently the methods I’m actively employing for learning Japanese are the use of some great apps on my iPhone and my habit of eating out every night
Eating out puts me in real world speaking and listening situations ultimately improving my skills that are definitely helping me in day to day life … and it’s fun.
The beauty about learning Japanese using your iPhone is it’s generally always accessable. Whether i’m on the train, in a meeting, on the couch, in bed or during time spent in the “small office” i have my phone with me and i can flick through some varioius learning options.
From left to right here are the links to the Japanese apps i use, some learning some more for just practice and information;
Kanji as the name suggests, for learning Kanji aligned with JLPT levels 1 through 4. You can add additional Kanji 1 by 1 from other levels to increase your Kanji count without jumping too quick.
Kanji Flip which is a little different and gives you a percentage correct after each session. There’s also the ability to test Kana and ass Kanji as required.
Wisdom Japanese and English Dictionary great for plugging in a word in either language and getting the result required. Very comprehensive and requires some level of Kanji to understand many meanings, it also sets you back $30.
Japanese is a pretty lightweight “useful words and phrases” app that i don’t use and will probably remove and i can no longer find it in the app store.
iJisho is another dictionary, this ones only about $5 so much cheaper, you get what you pay for though.
Mixi Japanese social networking site, great for practicing reading and writing in Japanese.
Navitime is an application used for planning trips by car, train etc … all in Japanese so it’s practice once again.
Gengou Free is as the name suggests free and it provides a quick reference of the Japanese era system.
食べログ uses your current or user defined location to find restaurants of choice.
Yahoo Maps and Yahoo for iPhone which i rarely use, not sure where i got them from either, i can’t find them anymore.
Kotoba which is yet another dictionary, the difference being this one is free.
I’m sure there’s 10 more applications for everyone i’ve shown and i’m happy to hear about any you may think are worthwhile installing, free or paid is fine. At the end of the day though iPhone apps are no different to books, they still need to be used to become affective.
So with ~364 days to go until next years JLPT there’s no excuse for me failing next time round.
Lastly, and i forgot to add this first time round. Check out Koichi at Tofugu for some great free Japanese lessons, he and Brett Fyfield …… along with a few others are conducting them … get efficient in Nihongo quickly!
From what i hear this Kanji course is absolutely fantastic if you want to learn to read Japanese Kanji quickly and would be a great help if you`re taking the JLPT this year.
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Looks like some nice apps for studying. Once again, the iPhone proves its worth.
The gf-who-doesn’t-speak-much-English method is a nice way to slingshot yourself to the next level.
I hear that Billy … and all lessons should be conducted in the bath for maximum retention.
i learnt most of my japanese from watching Anime , playing eroge, or just good ole fashion japanese AV….then i started taking lessons at Adelaide High School…my Japanese teacher was HOT!!! Then she stopped teaching so back to the AV it was…ah good ole Japanese AV I’ll always have a friend in you…
I learn the best through song lyrics. I agree, the more fun you have learning, the easier it will retained.
I’m sure through the moans and groans you’ll catch a few good phrases from AV clips =)
In my opinion, taking classes is the best way as it forces you to keep a degree of discipline about your learning, and it can be fun interacting with other students. Have you thought about joining a school?
If that isn’t a viable option, then perhaps try to play to your strengths. You say you enjoy going out drinking and socialising? Ask some of your Japanese Friends to be your language partner. As long as you meet up with some aim in mind (a focused topic or lesson plan), you’re sure to improve. Write down new words in your day-to-day life and then use an SRS like Anki to drill words. I talk about it here: http://michaeldowney.net/anki-ising/.
The good thing about using an SRS like Anki is that it shows you cards you get wrong more frequently than ones you don’t. And you don’t even have to do a lot a day – just 20 minutes or something. Seeing the words (or grammar, Kanji – etc) everyday will make it stick. I learnt over 1200 words for the JLPT1 test in about 2 months using Anki, and I remember nearly all of them.
For listening, try putting some practice questions for JLPT on your mp3 player and listen to them on your commute. As for reading, try to get some children’s books or find news websites aimed at junior school students (or whatever level). Writing is a little more tricky. You will just have to slog it out writing essays and stuff (by pencil, not computer) to improve. Or at least I’ve found so. But JLPT doesn’t have a writing section! ^^
Just some ideas. The main thing really is that old adage: little and often. If you do even 10 minutes a day of structured revision, you will improve. Definitely.
Good feedback Mike. Will look into the Anki stuff you mention. I have had lessons, when i first came here, i found it difficult to get the most out of them though due to work, which like it did then, pays the bills and is the reason i’m here in Japan.
I agree that catching up with someone with the aim in mind to learn Japanese is a big key too … just wrap a little structure around the basic things and it will come together.
Appreciate the detailed comment Mike.
haha I do exactly the same. Buy books and somehow expect my brain to absorb the information without reading them…
Another thing you can do with the iPhone/Touch is to set the system language to Japanese. I’m not quite ready for that yet, but it’s going to be my first step of changing all my computers to Japanese.
My PC at home was Japanese and i often use one at home …. i felt it doesn’t really help though, more frustrating than anything and i remember by the icon rather than the Kanji.
Off Topic!!!
Neil do you have XBMC for your new lappy??
I just got it via Lifehacker and it’s the sweetest thing since Sugar!!
Dude!! Get it NOW!! If you already have it ….forgive me I might be behind the curve
Hadn’t heard of it Chris but it does look pretty sweet. Afraid my new laptop is ‘work’ only these days but can put this on the pc at home for sure.
how about finding a JLPT test buddy. a competition. loser buys the winner a two way plane ticket to somewhere (up to the winner to decide). ^^
Brilliant idea Ken! Or if you can’t find a buddy willing to do it just offer yourself a prize if you pass. e.g. buy that holiday/gadget you’ve always wanted.
If each week that you successfully practice you put away a little money you kill 2 birds with one stone! 3 if you count the fact you’ve just passed the JLPT!
I might have to do this…
it’s too easy offering myself a prize. ^^. takes like maybe 2 seconds in yodobashi. haha. but then again, if it’s at the expense of my test buddy….
Great idea Ken …. might need to have some limitations on “winner decide” though!
People say, to learn a foreign language, you need to “eat” the saliva of a native speaker {kiss} LOL
Not sure it’s worked in the past …. but I’m happy to keep trying.
I wish to see you few months later starting a J-Babe sort of blog in Japanese language.
I might start incorporating a few posts here and there in Japanese on this site ….. no time for a new blog, barely enough time for this one.
i wanted to get an iPhone but the local carrier’s prices and contract length is very unreasonable. -_-
Shame, it’s a great device Kirk.
For a good year and a half, my Japanese study during the week was done alone, with weekend study consisting of going out to the exact same bars with my electronic dictionary and a memo pad in my back pocket and chatting with anyone in sight. The bar owners loved it because we were constantly flagging down customers to come in for drinks, and I loved it because I was getting my Japanese practice on in the process. And on more occasions than I can count, free drinks.
I certainly like tying alchohol into as many facets as I can in my life JT. I’ll be more proactive in the future about doing so too, and I’ll always be able to cite “it’s all about learning” to justify it all.
Sounds just like me. I have a few books but I really need to actually open them more often. I must say that my listening skills have greatly improved now that I live in Japan on a full time status. In time I am sure that I will be speaking Japanese first rather than my native language.
you tried http://www.japanesepod101.com?
makes you remember 3-4 new words each lesson, good way to study in the subway.
This is a nice review of a bunch of iphone apps! The first I’ve seen (at least with so many apps going on). I’m jealous you get a mixi app though
Thank you for the shoutout!
No probs Koichi, i forgot the first time round … then saw your email in my inbox which was there to remind me …. and it did.