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+--- Thread: Kumon (/thread-660.html)
Kumon - PParisi - 2007-07-19
Has anyone had experience with Kumon following completion of RTK1? Advice?
Kumon - Megaqwerty - 2007-07-19
Ricardo has had experience with Kumon, but it was prior to completing RTK I. Still, you might want to talk to him.
Kumon - Ricardo - 2007-07-19
Megaqwerty Wrote:Ricardo has had experience with Kumon, but it was prior to completing RTK I.Indeed!
I just finished RTK1 and decided to try another thing before going back to Kumon... I downloaded some JPLT vocabulary (words and phrases), starting at JPLT 4. I was amazed as how I could read most of the words that I learned (in kana with Kumon), without studying the readings of the kanjis!
I think that doing RTK1 before Kumon can give you a really good "performance boost". I like the Kumon method and will probably go back to finish it as soon as can (maybe only next year). Until then, I'll keep studying vocabulary on my own.
Kumon - Megaqwerty - 2007-07-19
By the way, what is the Kumon method? I looked at their site and some of their worksheets, but I didn't see exactly what made it different and/or better than its more accessible alternatives.
Kumon - shaydwyrm - 2007-07-19
You know, Kumon appears to be just what I have been looking for - a structured, self-paced course with an emphasis on reading. As I approach the end of RTK1, I've been trying to start up my broader japanese studies, loosely following the "All Japanese All the Time" method, but I'm really just not disciplined enough to set my own workload or performance goals. Especially frustrating is the fact that I graduated my university about 2/3 of the way through their Japanese program, so I have some considerable holes in my knowledge base.
I'll be in Japan starting about a month from now, and there's several centers in my city, so maybe I'll give Kumon a try. Do you know if they have a trial period or something? Also, Ricardo, I assume you did their nihongo program (as opposed to their kokugo program)? Have you heard from any foreigners who have tried the kokugo program? It sounds like an interesting option if you're up for a classroom full of japanese children, and have some base of Japanese knowledge, since I assume it would be taught in all Japanese.
Kumon - Ricardo - 2007-07-20
shaydwyrm Wrote:Do you know if they have a trial period or something?None that I'm aware of, but you can try to ask them for some sample material to try at home.
shaydwyrm Wrote:Also, Ricardo, I assume you did their nihongo programYes.
shaydwyrm Wrote:Have you heard from any foreigners who have tried the kokugo program?Not personally, but I read about it on Kanji Clinic, it might be an interesting reading for you, Megaqwerty and anyone else who might want to know more about it (be sure to follow the links in the "Kumon learner shares her experiences" post).
Kumon - PParisi - 2007-07-20
Many thanks, everyone!
Kumon - shaydwyrm - 2007-07-22
Ricardo Wrote:Not personally, but I read about it on Kanji Clinic, it might be an interesting reading for you, Megaqwerty and anyone else who might want to know more about it (be sure to follow the links in the "Kumon learner shares her experiences" post).Thanks for the link, it was a very interesting read. If introducing kanji too quickly is the biggest hurdle of the nihongo program, then maybe RTK will smooth that over. I spoke to my conversation partner about the idea of looking into the kokugo program, and his opinion was that I'm too old :-( But I think I'm going to try the nihongo program for a couple weeks once I get to Japan - if anyone else is interested, apparently they do offer a 1-2 week trial period at some centers in addition to the sample materials Ricardo mentioned.