How I learn Japanese

Today I want to give you an overview of the methods and materials I use to learn Japanese.

1. Genki Textbook
Every weekend I sit down in front of my desk and do one Unit of Genki. Genki is a textbook for Japanese beginners. I use it to acquire a fundamental understandig of the language. Each unit is split up into the following parts: Dialogue , Vocabulary , Grammar and Exercises. I really enjoy using it and feel like my Japanese is rapidly improving

2. Kodanshas Kanji Learners Course
I went with this book because of the large amount of Kanji it contains. Maybe I will get back to Flashcards at some point but I´m quite pleased with the way it presents the Kanji. And it delivers some really helpful memory aids.

3. KKLC Writing Practice Book
It contains all the Kanji you learn in the above mentioned course and gives you space to practice writing them!

4. Essential Japanese Kanji by Tuttle
This book is also a really good to get the Kanji basics into your brain. I use it mainly for practicing compound Kanji. What I like about it is that it tries to incorporate daily situations that you might encounter in a Japanese environment

5. Whiteboard
I plan to practice writing Kanji with it in the future. It saves paper and looks like fun!

Have I given up?

This blog died. ...or so I thought but my desire to learn Japanese hasnt died yet. How much progress did I make in the last few years you might ask. The answer is simple. None. Actually I learned all the Vocabulary that are needed for JLPTN5 last year. The reason why I havent studied Japanese was that I focused on other studies. But now that they are out of the way I can finally concentrate on my Japanese studies again. The big advantage is that I recently have had the money to buy proper learning materials. I will get in detail about them in another post. My goal for this year is to improve my Japanese drastically. I´m considering to take the JLPT N5 at the end of this year. Depending on how far I´ve come with my Japanese studies. Currently I´m studying with a Japanese Textbook , a Kanji book and Anki. And I´m making huge progress. Another application that I use is HelloTalk which is very useful for communication purposes. So to answer the question. No I havent given up! I simply wont. Therefore see you in my next post.

Learning Japanese through Music!?

So, today I got the urge to listen to Aqua Terrarium , the 1st Ending of Nagi no Asukara. (bad anime lol). Then I thought about looking up its Lyrics and that's when I discovered the Website animelyrics.com. This site has a huge selection of Anime , Game and J-Pop Lyrics in Rōmaji and Kanji. And you can see the meaning of the Kanji by moving your mouse over them. 
It is recommendable to have a certain knowledge of Japanese writing system before you tackle this method though. You can register on the site and put all the songs you like in your very own Songbox.
Now after you chose the song you want to learn with you have to do this:

1. Use the "print view with Kanji" option
2. Print the song out
3. Look up Kanji and Vocabulary you don't know
4. Listen to the song , read the song (sing the song) and try to comprehend the meaning

That way you can probably soon understand all your favorite songs and even better you improve your Japanese skills!

Getting started!

I finally started practicing Kanji last Sunday , but haven't had any progress since then.
I also started learning Vocabulary on my Obenkyo App and
I`m going to use Kotoba-chan for that purpose too.
I also downloaded my first Anki-Deck but I`m going to put that On-Hold for now and focus on the basics.
I also registered on WaniKani and I will keep practicing on there as well. Currently I´m on Level 1 und learning Radicals , the confusing part is that they don´t list the japanese word. I hope that will be integrated later on.

An introduction to the Japanese writing system

-There was no writing system in Japan until the 5th century.
-The Japanese stole the Kanji from their chinese friends.
-There are three components: 1. optic signal 2. acustic signal 3. meaning
-2 different readings exist. 1. on-reading 2. kun-reading

• ON: Words derived from Chinese
• KUN: Japanese words

-Kana are simplified radicals derived from Kanji
-Hiragana and Kanji are used in sentences more often than ever together.
-Romaji (Latin Alphabet) are known in Japan since 16th century


Useful resources to learn Kanji:
Tips 1
Tips 2

How do I learn Kanji?

So , I've been thinking for a while now what is the best and most efficient method to learn Kanji.
Many learners use the method "Remembering the Kanji" by James W. Heisig. I thought for a long time about using it as well because the concept of connecting the Kanji with a story practically visualizing it sounds appealing to me. But this method has also disadvantages and is also criticized. You don't learn the japanese word but rather the english translation of the Kanji if I understood correctly.
Even if you did learn the correct meaning for e.g. 学 (to study) you only learn itself. You won't be able to read this: 学校 (school) because you don't learn the meaning of individual Kanji that have been put together.

That is why I decided to stay away from RTK and to use the hardest method and learn it all by heart just the way the japanese students learn them. More specifically with Kanji Cards.
Once you decided how to learn them do not change your method and stay with it no matter how hard it is.
Then you can decide if you want to learn the Kanji that are necessary for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test or if you don't want to take it you can use them in the order they learn them in Japanese schools.
Then you can decide what you use to learn them: a) Book b) App c) Kanji Cards
Actually , I would recommend all three of them. I decided to start with Kanji Cards. But you don't have to pay for them. Just print them out here. Now all you have to do is practice , practice , practice...
Writing , Pronunciation and the Meaning are all important factors you have to learn and memorize thoroughly. And you will learn new Vocabulary automatically but you have to be able to read Hiragana.

These are my thoughts about this topic and I will start learning very soon. And it will be interesting to know in a few years from if this was the right decision. But I'm confident that it's definitely doable.

Now I'm curious about your Kanji-Story. Share it in the comments with us if you want to. :-)

School & University | Vocabulary I

School

Student - gakusei
Teacher   - sensei
Classroom - kyôshitsu
Door - doa
Seat - seki
Table - tsukue
Chair - isu
Blackboard - kokuban
Chalk - chôku
Textbook - kyôkasho
Question - shitsumon 
Answer - kotae
Exercise - renshû
Task - mondai

Sentences used in school 

I'm sorry , but... - zannen desu ga
I don't know - shirimasen
I don't understand - wakarimasen
I don't understand anything - zenzen wakarimasen
Ask my neighbor please - tonari no hito ni kiite kudasai
I pass - pasu shimasu
Can you repeat the question please - sumimasen, moo ichido itte kudasai
I have a question - shitsumon ga arimasu
I forgot it unfortunately - zannen desu ga, wasuremashita
I can't read it - yomemasen
I can't answer it - kotaeremasen
How to pronounce it - kore wa dô hatsuon suru no desu ka
How to read it - kore wa dô yomu no desu ka
I haven't learned that yet - kore wa mada naratte imasen
Please speak more slowly - mô sukoshi yukkuri hanashite kudasai
That is too difficult for me - kore wa muzukashi sugimasu

Study

University - daigaku
Eastasia science - higashi ajia kenkyû katei
Japanese - nihongo
crash course - shûchûkôza
Geography - chirigaku
Politics science - seijigaku
Social science - shakaigaku
Economics science - keizaigaku
Study - benkyô suru

Student life

Student life - gakusei seikatsu
Student dormitory - gakusei ryô
Living expenses - seikatsuhi
Cafeteria - gakushoku
Study - benkyô
Science - gakumon
Free time - jiyû jikan 
Lecture - kôgi
Friend - tomodachi
Professor (profession) - kyôju
Teacher (profession) - kyôshi
Teacher (salutation) - sensei
Lessons - jugyô
Part-time job - arubaito
Examination - shiken