Textbook learning: check. Immersion learning: big question mark. When you finally reach for your first manga or anime, there is no bigger question than whether you should choose something based on whether it is interesting to you or whether you can understand it. How you answer this will significantly affect your desire to study. Are you choosing the right answer for yourself? In a perfect … Continue reading →
If it wasn’t obvious from posts like this, I am a huge Audible Japan fan. Unfortunately the time has come for me to move on to something else. Recently Audible Japan changed from a subscription system to a coin system. While this was a big shock, I actually was viewing it as a positive change in the long run. It would end up costing me … Continue reading →
I’ve talked repeatedly how the path to fluency hinges on a race to immersion – getting to enjoying real Japanese before you burn out on too much studying. However, just because you reach immersion doesn’t mean it’s all clear sailing from there. Far from it as you’ll feel a constant tug-of-war with understanding and not understanding whatever you are trying to enjoy. Recently, I’ve seen that … Continue reading →
If you talked to me 13 years ago I would rave about how unbelievably amazing anime was. If you talked to me 11 years ago, every J-drama in existence knew my face. 7 years ago I read enough manga and novels through Kindle to help boost Amazon’s quarterly profits. 5 years ago, I could tell you about every new local trend or restaurant in Japan … Continue reading →
Audible Japan – my number one resource for listening to and shadowing Japanese for the past few years. My alarm went off this morning and I open Audible to continue listening to 自分に「ダメ出し」をしてしまうあなたへ, which I’ve been enjoying lately. I’m interrupted with a dreaded app message: “Audible Unlimited Listening is Ending.” A horrible feeling in my stomach took control. What? No. Wait. You aren’t going to… … Continue reading →
Studying in the beginning is straightforward most of the time. Textbooks, flashcards, websites and apps. That is until “Immersion” rears its head in through the window. When should you open the door and let it in? Is there a best time to welcome it with open arms? I’ve talked about how “the faster you get to immersion, the better.” You might conclude to start immersion … Continue reading →
My view on using English subtitles is pretty well known on this site. The short answer: I don’t recommend them. I’ve softened up a bit over the years and have accepted some middle-ground methods like reading English summaries or watching in English first followed by Japanese. But what about the much less talked about topic of Japanese subtitles? Many people think this is a no-brainer. … Continue reading →
There are many difficult things about studying Japanese. The one thing that shouldn’t be difficult is you spending money to buy native Japanese video. It’s such a simple concept made so ridiculously complex. Japan is overly protective of its videos at times. If you don’t live in Japan, you are faced with an unnecessary challenge. I thought it would be useful to discuss the ranking of … Continue reading →
