ThomasJ02
Member
From: Chicago
Registered: 2008-12-28
Posts: 15
I just wanted to share a technique that has been helping me recently. In an effort to integrate all of my senses in remembering the Kanji, I've started using Text-to-speech software to create MP3s of my Kanji stories. When I fail a card now, I play the MP3s 3 times: The first time, I just listen to it; the second time, I try to engage my imaginative memory as much as possible to visualize the story, and the third time I look at the Kanji as I listen to try to link the story to the elements and notice any unusual placement. I also put the keyword and elements separately in the story to help call them out. As an example, here's what I would have the TTS program say for "sticky":
"Sticky. This is another way of fortune telling -- throw sticky rice against the wall, and look for the message in whatever sticks. Sticky, rice, fortune telling. Sticky."
I've been using a program called TextAloud because it was mentioned on AJATT, but there are some free programs on the web too.
I've also thought about just listening to all the stories once a day or while I'm doing other stuff, but I'm a little concerned about the 'overlearning' that's been talked about here a few times.
stehr
Member
From: california
Registered: 2007-09-25
Posts: 281
I recently started using "lite" mnemonics (mostly visualization) in my anki reviews as well. It helps a lot with the more difficult vocabulary, and all the confusing, nearly identical, sounds. Letting the program take care of memorizing the words does work, but I don't always enjoy reviewing a card 20 times before maturing it, only to fail it again later on. Mnemonics, and even visualization as you said, are great for curing that.