Extensive reading has turned into one of my great joys and study tools. I'm wondering if you can do something similar for writing.

To give context, a Japanese friend who has lived in the US for ages just sent me an email asking if I wanted to practice writing with him. He wrote it in both Japanese and English (I guess he doesn't know about rikaikun). He offered to correct what I wrote.

I have mixed feelings on that. On the one hand, I am excited at the prospect of practicing and building up my ability to communicate in written Japanese. I think that it would be both fun and useful. On the other hand, I don't really want to deal with "yet more" corrections to my Japanese. I do anki daily and lessons weekly. I'm also studying for the JLPT, which doesn't have a writing section.

What I'd like to do propose to him is that we communicate in a style similar to "extensive reading". By that I mean:

1. We write exclusively in Japanese
2. If he doesn't understand what I write, he asks me (in Japanese) to clarify it.
3. He tries to find a level that I can understand.
4. He minimizes corrections to my writing.

Have people ever tried this? In case it's not clear, I do virtually no writing in Japanese. In terms of my ability, I'm currently preparing for the N3.

Sounds like your friend is willing to be your "language helper". That's great! It's different from a tutor mind you.

Quote:So what is a language helper?

A language helper is a native speaker of the language you are wanting to learn.  They should be fairly outgoing, have a good accent in the eyes of their peers and be open to your doing a way of learning language that they will most likely be entirely unfamiliar with.  They are not lesson planners and will not be planning the time you spend with them – they just get to talk and sip tea.

http://www.everydaylanguagelearner.com/2...ge-helper/

I think one the activities you can do with him such as "Language Learning Tip: Retell It", which can easily be done in written form. I think this might specifically work for you as I know you have been extensively reading some well known stories according to one of your posts in the N3 thread. This can also apply to your watching of shirokuma

Quote:Here is the activity in bullet form:

• Agree with a native speaker to watch the same program or event.
  
• The following day, have your native speaking friend retell the event to you in five minutes or less.
  
• Share your thoughts about the event, ask clarifying questions and enter into discussion about the event or program.
  

I bolded the portion I think you would benefit from most.

Aaron also mentions the LACE manual in the first link but that link is dead so have a look here. LACE manual has a ton of great language learning activities you can do with your friend.

As for my writing experience, I had 2 years of formal Japanese courses in college. Didn't seriously get into writing until the 2nd year courses though. I had even written out a speech I did about my vacation to Hawaii and posted on lang-8 before I presented to the class. Probably the longest thing I've ever written in Japanese. Since then, I don't really write in terms of production with the exception of RTK.