rich_f wrote:
I'd say the best way to get through RTK is to do it as quickly as possible. Rather than do sentence reviews, I'd use extra time to get ahead in RTK-- study new keywords, visualize new stories for kanji. I found that reviewing sentences would distract me from working on RTK, and would just keep me from getting it done, so I put it on the shelf until I finished.
That was my plan-- but I have no idea how long this is going to take me.
rich_f wrote:
I don't think there's a minimum number of kanji you need to know to do sentences. Instead, just stick with the +1 rule- try to add only one (two at the most) new thing you don't know in each sentence. One new vocab word, one new grammar concept, etc. That will make things rather fast, easy, and manageable. Even if you run across an unknown kanji, if it's the only new thing in the sentence, it shouldn't be a problem at all. You'll only start running into problems when you start adding 5 new vocab words per sentence.
Good idea. I think this was my main problem when I started doing sentences at first, is that I tried to overload myself with too much information. I need to make sure I do it "right" next time.
rich_f wrote:
If you don't want to mine Genki (I found it wasn't a particularly good book for mining, but that's my opinion), I recommend Understanding Basic Japanese Grammar by ALC. It's cheap, full of very easy sentences, and very easy vocab. It's repetitive, but it does a solid job of covering the basics. UBJG is very easy to mine, and provides lots of examples.
Thanks for the recommendation. I was just planning on mining the grammar parts of Genki. I also have a book called "Japanese Grammar" by Barron's.
rich_f wrote:
Also, if you're going to start mining books, I highly recommend some sort of scanner/OCR combination. It saves a lot of time typing.
My overall advice would be to try to spend as much time as possible on RTK first, but if you have to do something else to stay motivated, then do it. Just keep in mind it'll make RTK take longer to finish.
Your advice is very much appreciated. I'd sort out the scanner thing, but unfortunately, my scanner doesn't work with linux and I can't afford a new one.
usis35 wrote:
I also found RTK when I was studying Minna no Nihongo I and II, and I don't want to devote 100% of my study time to RTK , because I would begin to forget the Japanese that I already know. I am also in a position where I know vocabulary enough to start reviewing sentences. As you may know, RTK can be divided in 2 parts (1000 kanjis each), being the first part RTK LITE (this first part include the 1000 more frequent kanjis and its primitives). Knowing these kanjis I can start reviewing sentences like they are in KO. So, the plan is:
1) continue my Japanese studies, and study RTK LITE
2) continue my Japanese studies, start reviewing KO sentences, and begin to add the remaining 1000 kanjis to this site.
Interesting... 1000 sounds like a good number and I'm sure it won't take me too long to obtain it. Good luck with your studies!
