WaniKani is a popular kanji learning tool from the producers of Tofugu. I only have positive things to say about their team and products. Since they have so many users (way more than Jalup!), one of the most commonly asked questions I get of course involves them. Does WaniKani and Jalup mesh well together as learning companion tools? Some general thoughts Using more than one … Continue reading →
Ever heard this wise advice before? The ultimate self-reflecting test to find out if you will ever make any sense out of this crazy language. If you don’t love something, and aren’t passionate enough, you’ll never get good at it. If you hate the studying, you really don’t like it enough. You don’t truly want it. Yeah, that’s not right at all… It sounds right. … Continue reading →
Flash card goals are straightforward. Review till 0. Learn 10 new cards a day. This is studying. Set your targets and meet them. Then you try the same thing with immersion. Watch one j-drama a day. Read three manga chapters a day. Watch two episodes of anime a day. Something feels off, but you can’t figure out what. Fun converted to obligation Most of you … Continue reading →
Learn new cards. Review old cards. Learn new cards. Review old cards. Mix in immersion. Mix in speaking. Mix in shadowing. Mix in fun. Repeat till victory. This is the ideal. This is not what happens. This is okay. There is going to come a time that you are going to want to weaken the flame. Not because you don’t want Japanese bad enough. But … Continue reading →
7,000 sentence cards. You’ve done it. You made it to the finish line. First – you rock. This is not an easy task. If you made it this far, not only are you super dedicated, but your Japanese skill should be on fire. But what’s next? 1. Decide how you want to continue There is no must-do from here on out. By this time you … Continue reading →
Everything you watch in Japanese will make your Japanese better. That’s good news. It doesn’t matter how cheesy a love story, or how ridiculous a fight to save the world, you will absorb all that juicy Japanese. Eventually you start leaning towards specific types of shows, and your vocabulary expansion slows. New discoveries fade. The simple solution is to seek out new genres. Want to … Continue reading →
This is it. You are going to Japan – for real this time. All your hard work is going to be realized the second you step off the airplane, and let your Japanese ability run wild. But you have a month or so before you leave. You want to prepare, to make sure you make the most out of this trip. There is no way … Continue reading →
We all have goals, big and small. Things get in the way, preventing you from achieving them. Not any more. This time you are going to win. Task Write down specific goals you want to achieve for the month of January Initial Instructions Leave a comment by January 1st and include:1. Your specific goal(s)2. Resources you will use3. Game plan/strategy Completion Instructions Reply to your comment … Continue reading →
