Hello,

I started learning Japanese casually about a month ago using Rosetta Stone (From a friend that told me it was good ! ) and also learned a couple words and short sentences from anime, Japanese friends etc...
After finishing Rosetta Stone level 1 I can proudly say that the black cat is under the table but I guess that's not gonna take me very far...

After browsing the web for various learning methods, I found out about RTK, AJATT...I learned Kana and began the RTK journey a couple days ago. I understand that some people ( notably AJATT ) recommend going through RTK before doing anything else. However, I'd like to improve both my vocab and speaking/listening ability while doing RTK, because I just can't see myself doing nothing but kanji for several months.

What other learning method or material should i follow while doing RTK? I was thinking about getting the Genki textbook. I'm a student and could possibly dedicate at least an hour a day to Japanese.

Is it just better to use an online/software course?

Also, should I put every word of vocab and most of the sentences that I learn into an SRS? Or should I finish RTK first and follow the AJATT guidance for SRS sentences?
Should I use a deck for everything or one for Kanji, one for Vocabulary and one for Sentences?

Finally, I plan on learning Japanese using English material although my mother tongue is French. Is this a really bad decision or as long as I'm very careful when learning new vocabulary I should be fine?

Thank you !

Toop

Core 2k or 6k is good for vocab, from what I've used. I use kore myself (it's sorted to be easier on you, though it does get confusing sometimes when you have similar kanji that mean different things).

Another grammar resource you could use is Tae Kim - it's pretty popular here and I ended up using it myself, though be aware you'll need more resources afterwards. It does a pretty good job of doing the basics of grammar, though - I think up to the old JLPT3?

As for Anki/SRS, Nukemarine has several premade decks (ie, one for RTK, one for kore, one for Tae Kim's grammar, etc). So look into those - they'll save you a lot of time, and you just have to download and customize them.

I'm fairly a beginner too - only about 450 into core2k and I plan on starting RTK Lite soon, if I can find the time. I'm mostly learning for literacy, so I "read" (AKA decipher) manga very, very slowly on the side.

Edit: Another good thing I've seen recommended, especially by nest0r, is "Japanese the Manga Way". I plan to use that as well since I primarily want to read manga (durh), but it can be used for anything. I've heard it's got really good grammar clarifications.

This might make your life a little easier: http://forum.koohii.com/showthread.php?tid=5110

Anyway, good luck and keep up the hard work!