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thechanger · 06-12-2011, 10:11

OP, I admire your motivation. How do you seem to remember so many kanji a day and when did you start studying?

I really need a kick start concerning my study plan. I started learning Japanese, embarrassingly, 4 years ago. I say embarrassingly because after learning of someone becoming fluet after 18 months, I feel my level is brutal. I haven't been studying the whole time and hit my fair share of walls, not to mention work and lack of time being a factor.

I need some goals and direction. In the past I've used and still do:

JapanesePod101 - Brilliant introduction to the japanese, but feel I need to listen to each episode 10 times for the vocab and grammar to sink in – sometimes the conversations at the start are pointless until you know the vocabulary. After using Michael Thomas to revisit French, I find most other language packages treat you like a parrot, and in doing so, makes it incredibly difficult to go from beginner/elementary to intermediate.
Pimsleur - Just started with this. Doing it from the beginning as a refresher and trying to do a lesson a day during my lunch break. Bit slow but good listening practice. I find having a foundation in the language helps, and it's helping me fix my grammar errors. However if I was a total virgin to the language, I wouldn't recommend solely using this method.
Reading/writing: Just got the Heisig book, and I'm going to start again on the kanji. About two years ago, I suppose I knew about 400 of the little buggers however I've forgotten a lot. In the past I've also used Genki which I recommend. Other kanji books I can speak highly about are: Let's Learn Kanji and Easy Kanji (Handy little paperback for the train, uses a similar approach to Heisig to introduce 300 of the basics and how the characters evolved in China).
Nintendo DS: Tadashii Kanji Kaki to Rikun is also a good supplement. Available from Play-Asia.

I never heard of ajatt – thanks for the link. I'll come back again with updates, maybe a list of good Japanese movies to watch. All help appreciated.

funky penguin · 06-12-2011, 14:06

The Heisig method, pure and simple!

I was quite sick over the weekend, so tried to keep up, but it was slow going. Reached 200 today.

My favourite, purely for it's simplicity:

森

Forest!

EDIT: Hoping for 250-275 by the weekend.

funky penguin · 07-12-2011, 06:55

222 today.

Sorry thecharger, I never answered a question!

I started around the beginning of November, but only started the ajatt method about a week and a half ago.

No idea if it's going to work, but sure we'll see! Mainly trying to have fun with it.

word for the day, calendar.

暦

[SIZE="7"]暦[/SIZE]

funky penguin · 13-12-2011, 12:48

279.

Finished part 1 of Heisig. From now on, he starts to filter out his own stories, and forces you to come up with images.

I found over the last week I may have been progressing a little too quickly, so I slowed it down a bit. Still, I'm about 1/8 the way through and have about a 95% success rate on the SRS (using ANKI).

Have a huge flight on Friday to look forward too.....Heisig will be my companion!

I also might start looking at the Mangaland series, to branch out a bit.

Also, I've come to realise that nothing is better than acing a really tough kanji after a few days of learning.

**fewtinsoffroth** · 13-12-2011, 14:40

My only problem with anki is having to sit down and actually do it everyday...

funky penguin · 15-12-2011, 08:08

I might get the app, I've heard it's decent.

311

Going on quite a lengthy flight tonight/tomorrow, will be travelling for about 24 hours altogether. So, I'd imagine this and jet lag will play a huge part in me NOT gaining ground on this anytime soon.

**fewtinsoffroth** · 22-12-2011, 20:33

So has all progress ceased for christmas?

funky penguin · 22-12-2011, 22:35

320!

haha! I won't lie, the xmas season has had it's effect! But honestly, the flight over is still lingering and I'm trying my best to just revise every day.

The revision is happening, but visiting people, going up and down from Wexford to Maynooth is having too much of a toll on my progression.

Ultimately, I'm happy that I can still remember the 320. But.....

It's an interesting point I suppose....is the removal from Japan effecting my studies? We'll see.......I'm going to aim for 400 kanji NEXT weekend. Completely doable.

Let's see! ^_^

funky penguin · 24-12-2011, 12:48

352! (^o^)

Tristram · 28-12-2011, 23:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by fewtinsoffroth

My only problem with anki is having to sit down and actually do it everyday...

I can relate to that. Anki is amazing and can generate amazing short-turn returns but I found that without testing and re-enforcing what I had learned through writing the kanji I wasn't truly "learning" to the extent that I hoped.

funky penguin · 29-12-2011, 14:03

I try to write all my 'Ankiing' out, or at the very least 'draw' the kanji in my hand with my finger. I've noticed most Japanese people do this when trying to remember a kanji.

363, falling behind a little, but I don't mind because of the holidays. Back to Japan in a week from today, so it should be a kick in the arse.

Saying that, I think I can reach 400 by the weekend.

I think......

Aard · 29-12-2011, 15:38

I found when I was doing Anki I'd have to take a breather every few weeks to consolidate what I'd learnt, otherwise I'd start forgetting a few. It's probably easier if you're in Japan and immersed in the language and kanji though...

funky penguin · 31-12-2011, 10:23

Yeah, and I reached a point where Heisig advises doing this, so I obliged him.

380, and I don't think with the weekend that's in it I will be able to get another 20, but I'm happy enough with that!

funky penguin · 08-01-2012, 22:13

I'm now on 400 and just back in Japan.

Progress has been slow, but I'm attributing that to the increased amount of kanji, the jet lag, the birthday celebrations and the expected home sickness!

I think I should use the next few days/week to revise the 400.

funky penguin · 10-01-2012, 04:06

Oh Lord, Christmas trip to Ireland really took it's toll. My sessions today have been the worst by far. I think consolidation is definitely the key for a few days.

06-12-2011, 10:11	#16
thechanger Closed Account Join Date: Nov 2011 Posts: 61 Adverts \| Friends	OP, I admire your motivation. How do you seem to remember so many kanji a day and when did you start studying? I really need a kick start concerning my study plan. I started learning Japanese, embarrassingly, 4 years ago. I say embarrassingly because after learning of someone becoming fluet after 18 months, I feel my level is brutal. I haven't been studying the whole time and hit my fair share of walls, not to mention work and lack of time being a factor. I need some goals and direction. In the past I've used and still do: JapanesePod101 - Brilliant introduction to the japanese, but feel I need to listen to each episode 10 times for the vocab and grammar to sink in – sometimes the conversations at the start are pointless until you know the vocabulary. After using Michael Thomas to revisit French, I find most other language packages treat you like a parrot, and in doing so, makes it incredibly difficult to go from beginner/elementary to intermediate. Pimsleur - Just started with this. Doing it from the beginning as a refresher and trying to do a lesson a day during my lunch break. Bit slow but good listening practice. I find having a foundation in the language helps, and it's helping me fix my grammar errors. However if I was a total virgin to the language, I wouldn't recommend solely using this method. Reading/writing: Just got the Heisig book, and I'm going to start again on the kanji. About two years ago, I suppose I knew about 400 of the little buggers however I've forgotten a lot. In the past I've also used Genki which I recommend. Other kanji books I can speak highly about are: Let's Learn Kanji and Easy Kanji (Handy little paperback for the train, uses a similar approach to Heisig to introduce 300 of the basics and how the characters evolved in China). Nintendo DS: Tadashii Kanji Kaki to Rikun is also a good supplement. Available from Play-Asia. I never heard of ajatt – thanks for the link. I'll come back again with updates, maybe a list of good Japanese movies to watch. All help appreciated. Last edited by thechanger; 06-12-2011 at 10:15.

06-12-2011, 14:06	#17
funky penguin Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 5,739 Adverts \| Friends	The Heisig method, pure and simple! I was quite sick over the weekend, so tried to keep up, but it was slow going. Reached 200 today. My favourite, purely for it's simplicity: 森 Forest! EDIT: Hoping for 250-275 by the weekend. Last edited by funky penguin; 06-12-2011 at 14:11.

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07-12-2011, 06:55	#18
funky penguin Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 5,739 Adverts \| Friends	222 today. Sorry thecharger, I never answered a question! I started around the beginning of November, but only started the ajatt method about a week and a half ago. No idea if it's going to work, but sure we'll see! Mainly trying to have fun with it. word for the day, calendar. 暦 [SIZE="7"]暦[/SIZE]

13-12-2011, 12:48	#19
funky penguin Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 5,739 Adverts \| Friends	279. Finished part 1 of Heisig. From now on, he starts to filter out his own stories, and forces you to come up with images. I found over the last week I may have been progressing a little too quickly, so I slowed it down a bit. Still, I'm about 1/8 the way through and have about a 95% success rate on the SRS (using ANKI). Have a huge flight on Friday to look forward too.....Heisig will be my companion! I also might start looking at the Mangaland series, to branch out a bit. Also, I've come to realise that nothing is better than acing a really tough kanji after a few days of learning.

13-12-2011, 14:40	#20
fewtinsoffroth Trying to kill two stones with one bird. Join Date: May 2010 Location: In a field full of sheep. Posts: 5,559 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Leaving Cert	My only problem with anki is having to sit down and actually do it everyday...

15-12-2011, 08:08	#21
funky penguin Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 5,739 Adverts \| Friends	I might get the app, I've heard it's decent. 311 Going on quite a lengthy flight tonight/tomorrow, will be travelling for about 24 hours altogether. So, I'd imagine this and jet lag will play a huge part in me NOT gaining ground on this anytime soon.

22-12-2011, 20:33	#22
fewtinsoffroth Trying to kill two stones with one bird. Join Date: May 2010 Location: In a field full of sheep. Posts: 5,559 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Leaving Cert	So has all progress ceased for christmas?

22-12-2011, 22:35	#23
funky penguin Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 5,739 Adverts \| Friends	320! haha! I won't lie, the xmas season has had it's effect! But honestly, the flight over is still lingering and I'm trying my best to just revise every day. The revision is happening, but visiting people, going up and down from Wexford to Maynooth is having too much of a toll on my progression. Ultimately, I'm happy that I can still remember the 320. But..... It's an interesting point I suppose....is the removal from Japan effecting my studies? We'll see.......I'm going to aim for 400 kanji NEXT weekend. Completely doable. Let's see! ^_^

24-12-2011, 12:48	#24
funky penguin Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 5,739 Adverts \| Friends	352! (^o^)

29-12-2011, 14:03	#26
funky penguin Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 5,739 Adverts \| Friends	I try to write all my 'Ankiing' out, or at the very least 'draw' the kanji in my hand with my finger. I've noticed most Japanese people do this when trying to remember a kanji. 363, falling behind a little, but I don't mind because of the holidays. Back to Japan in a week from today, so it should be a kick in the arse. Saying that, I think I can reach 400 by the weekend. I think......

29-12-2011, 15:38	#27
Aard Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,941 Adverts \| Friends	I found when I was doing Anki I'd have to take a breather every few weeks to consolidate what I'd learnt, otherwise I'd start forgetting a few. It's probably easier if you're in Japan and immersed in the language and kanji though...

31-12-2011, 10:23	#28
funky penguin Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 5,739 Adverts \| Friends	Yeah, and I reached a point where Heisig advises doing this, so I obliged him. 380, and I don't think with the weekend that's in it I will be able to get another 20, but I'm happy enough with that!

08-01-2012, 22:13	#29
funky penguin Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 5,739 Adverts \| Friends	I'm now on 400 and just back in Japan. Progress has been slow, but I'm attributing that to the increased amount of kanji, the jet lag, the birthday celebrations and the expected home sickness! I think I should use the next few days/week to revise the 400.

10-01-2012, 04:06	#30
funky penguin Closed Account Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 5,739 Adverts \| Friends	Oh Lord, Christmas trip to Ireland really took it's toll. My sessions today have been the worst by far. I think consolidation is definitely the key for a few days.