Visiting japan for a couple of weeks, which means unless I am willing to cough up exorbitant cash to AT&T/Softbank I will be offline a lot, unable to access Anki or Kanjikoohi.
I decided to use the time offline by working on kana. I read hiragana fairly well, but hadn't yet a concerted effort to learn katakana. My writing in both cases is weak. I decided to spend the $8 for the "ikana" app.
It's a neat little app. With two stand-out features: finger-drawn stroke order practice and a "speed test" for kana recognition.
For the writing practice, you get a nice big version of the individual kana which you trace with your finger. When you draw a stroke correctly, the program confirms it, and lets you move onto the next stroke. The writing practice does not help you to draw the kana on a blank screen, so there is always a figure to trace. Ideally there would also be a version of writing practice without that crutch.
The speed test is great for increasing speed of recognition. A little timer bar under the character lends a sense of urgency, perking up those neurons. It's very rewarding to see yourself recognizing in a quick second instead of five.
You can customize your own practice lists, adding individual kana that you want to focus on, and then choose writing practice or speed test. As well, the program keeps a frequently failed list.
Bottom line: Worth the $8 if you need to practice your kana.
I decided to use the time offline by working on kana. I read hiragana fairly well, but hadn't yet a concerted effort to learn katakana. My writing in both cases is weak. I decided to spend the $8 for the "ikana" app.
It's a neat little app. With two stand-out features: finger-drawn stroke order practice and a "speed test" for kana recognition.
For the writing practice, you get a nice big version of the individual kana which you trace with your finger. When you draw a stroke correctly, the program confirms it, and lets you move onto the next stroke. The writing practice does not help you to draw the kana on a blank screen, so there is always a figure to trace. Ideally there would also be a version of writing practice without that crutch.
The speed test is great for increasing speed of recognition. A little timer bar under the character lends a sense of urgency, perking up those neurons. It's very rewarding to see yourself recognizing in a quick second instead of five.
You can customize your own practice lists, adding individual kana that you want to focus on, and then choose writing practice or speed test. As well, the program keeps a frequently failed list.
Bottom line: Worth the $8 if you need to practice your kana.
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