As I’m assuming most of you spend a large amount of time on the computer, I don’t need to tell you about eye strain. Why should you care? It affects your focus and concentration, will make you more tired, and will leave you less motivated to study Japanese. I’ve found that reading Japanese also tends to make your eyes get tired slightly quicker than reading English, due to the finer detail of the characters. … Continue reading →
I felt I should explain more how I personally used Anki to success. Before you read any further, check out the Anki website which provides tutorials on the basics, and even has videos taking you through the mechanics of how to use the program. I’ve gone through a lot of trial and error to figure out what works best, and since I’ve been using Anki … Continue reading →
A lot of people think that Japanese babies have magical powers that allow them to learn language instantly. While you probably won’t be able to steal these alleged powers (or won’t need them if you are a Japanese baby reading this blog), you can experience learning Japanese as a Japanese baby for yourself. While the Japanese haven’t perfected a device that turns you into a Japanese … Continue reading →
I know a lot of people studying Japanese who feel that they want to stick with the pure Japanese and avoid the English words that are becoming spread throughout the Japanese language. Do not become one of these people. Why? Because the Japanese language is constantly changing, and to sound like a native Japanese speaker, you need to use the words that native Japanese speakers use. Think of … Continue reading →
実況プレイ series, which can be found easily on youtube or niconico douga, are an incredible way to improve your Japanese. Usually they are based on older games, where you watch a Japanese person playing through a video game (you only see the screen that they see), and the Japanese person is narrating his play with comments, criticism, jokes, and talking with the viewer (you). While … Continue reading →
You thought it would be a great idea to do a language exchange, either in person, or on Skype with a Japanese person. You get to practice your Japanese, they get to practice their English. Win-Win! If you have ever done a language exchange, you will know that it is Lose-Win. And you probably know which one you are. If you are doing a language exchange, … Continue reading →
