The unavoidable question. Often followed by speculative reasons why learning this isn’t necessary for my goals. Every beginner-intermediate learner asks the same questions and has the same doubts. Then the second they learn it they realize that they could never have lived without it. Spoiler: The answer to all of the below questions is… YES. Do I really need to learn kana? Most of you … Continue reading →
The worst thing just happened. You failed the JLPT. As if that wasn’t bad enough, you failed it in the worst way possible – by 1 point. That’s one question. One mistaken circle sealed your fate. One baby misstep turns a year of happiness into a year of frustration and regret. There’s no getting around it: it feels horrible. But there are some things you … 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 February Initial Instructions Leave a comment by February 1st and include:1. Your specific goal(s)2. Resources you will use3. Game plan/strategy Completion Instructions Reply to your comment … Continue reading →
You want results fast. You want Japanese skill now. You want to be watching your favorite anime already. Learning Japanese is a very result-focused process and because of that it’s natural to want to get those results as fast as possible. I couldn’t wait till I was able to use my Japanese for what I wanted. I always wanted to go faster, do more, and … Continue reading →
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 →
