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+--- Thread: How do I use this book? (/thread-5565.html)
How do I use this book? - Peachrules - 2010-05-05
I just bought this book and was wondering how everyone goes about learning from it. How many times do I write out the kanji? How often do I review? If you could post the method you use, that would help me a lot. Thanks!
How do I use this book? - Groot - 2010-05-06
At the start, it's probably a good idea to write each kanji a few times as you get used to the whole business. But once you've learned a "primitive element" (say, the character for "mouth"), you'll soon find that that element is re-used in a number of kanji, and you won't feel the need to re-draw each kanji repeatedly. Heisig himself notes this in his introduction (which I recommend you read carefully). As he says, there's no need to write a particular kanji over and over once you're comfortable with its writing. He wants you to focus on seeing the English keyword and being able to reproduce the kanji from the keyword alone. To do this, he wants you to use "stories" to trigger your memory of how to write the kanji.
Once you get to lesson 2, you'll see that you start re-using elements in different combinations. By the time you're done with the book, you'll have drawn the element for "mouth" so many times you'll be able to do it in your sleep. You'll see the same elements over and over again; drawing them will become second nature.
As for review, I'd recommend trying the "Reviewing the Kanji" portion of this website; click the link in the upper-right. It will quiz you every day on a few of the kanji you've learned, and it will quiz you more often on those you forget. It's a "spaced repetition system", and it's invaluable for review. It also includes stories made up by other people, to help you remember the kanji. You could also make paper flashcards, but most people here just use Reviewing the Kanji.
As for frequency of review, try to do at least a little every day. Try not to skip days. You don't have to learn new kanji every day, but if you want to get through the book in, say, three months (as Heisig suggests), you'll want to learn a couple dozen a day. I highly recommend moving at that sort of pace, because the real payoff from the book starts once you're done with it. Although the book itself is quite fun, in my view.
Good luck!
How do I use this book? - Koos83 - 2010-05-06
What he said. ^
Adding to that: It's normal to start off slowly. I started with about 10 a day and I was totally impressed with myself for that. Near the end there were days I did 80 (usually about 30 though, on work days). So just start off and work at whichever pace you find comfortable (try to do a few every day, though. I worked fulltime and I managed as well). And reviewing is essential, so don't skip out on that.
How do I use this book? - Peachrules - 2010-05-06
Thanks a lot. That really helps!