ta12121
Member
From: Canada
Registered: 2009-06-02
Posts: 3190
Hello guys, I'm back for another report. Don't worry, this will be the last one in a very long time (if ever I decide to do this again in 2-3 years time). I decided instead of talking about my progress, I'll talk about how my study methods have changed and how I turned weaknesses into strengths. I'll also mention what my current goals are and what I want to accomplish by the 5 year mark(that's when I hope to reach my complete goal of "fluency").
First off: SRS reps. I noticed for this the more I used anki, the less I wanted to use it. It's not because I didn't like it, it was because in the beginning phases, I used it too much. I remember have ridiculous amounts of repetitions for sentence deck(300-400+) and eventually with my vocabulary deck when I started that. I've learned there is no need to add everything but if one does decide to do this, learn at a slow pace(20 new cards per day or if you up for the challenge, 30 new cards).
Take your time picking vocabulary and sentences you want to learn, make sure it's fun so you will keep coming back. You will eventually realize that real progress is made when a few things are accomplished: small amount of srs reps, good amount of immersion, make it fun, learn basic grammar and vocabulary to reach higher levels(it all starts with the basics).
So my advice for using anki is: go at a slow pace, take 10-20 minutes daily doing it. Add material you enjoy and want to learn(I no longer go for pre-mined sentences/vocabulary).
Reading/Listening: I used to have the feeling at times that I would never get far with these because they just seem too big to accomplish. It's only when I kept at it, that I really got what I wanted. You have to learn that you will have to be bad at Japanese for a while before you start becoming good at it. It's only natural. Thanks to this forum/AJATT/Anki. I've come to understand Japanese well and can dive into native material with a solid understanding. I am still learning as well, so there is still vocabulary I don't know, things I can't understand but these things don't faze me. It's only natural.
Speaking/Writing: This is picking up but I always feel that I'm not progressing as fast as I want to. Then again, maybe it's because I don't use it as often as I would like to. So some basic things for me to do are simple: keep shadowing material, keep speaking with native-speakers and get out there. Writing on the other hand, I have a feeling that using Anki is key for maintaining this skill compared to the rest.
Side skills: Transcribing/Translation/reading different fonts for Japanese and Styles.
Now for this, I do have a good feeling that if I keep trying to improve this, it will actually help out with my Japanese(maybe expect reading all those different fonts). It's just something I want to build because I have a strong feeling I will eventually be doing this in the future.
So what's my goal for the 5 year mark(currently at the 2.5 year mark) is: speaking and writing (as well as, keep improving my reading/listening). Work at translation skills/transcription skills. The different fonts can wait, I'll just have fun while I learn those(I won't add a ridiculous amount that I cannot do).
Thanks for taking the time to read this and if you have any questions, I would be more than happy to answer them. (Side note: I am reaching close to 3000 posts on this forum, so I won't be posting as much anymore once I reach that mark).
Last edited by ta12121 (2012 March 01, 2:38 pm)
wccrawford
Member
From: FL US
Registered: 2008-03-28
Posts: 1551
I'm going to piggyback your post a bit with my experiences, too. I hope you don't mind. 
Reading - I read a lot of English, so I expected to read a lot of Japanese. What I found is that, initially, it's really painful to be slowed down so much just by not recognized characters/words quickly. But the more you do it, the faster you get, and the more fun it becomes.
Listening - I had a hard time with this for a long time. I think my skill improved most by having Skype partners, and having them speak in Japanese and being able to ask them to repeat or explain. This has helped more than anything else, I think.
Writing - Like reading, you get better as you do it. I started using Lang-8 long ago, but don't post much. Initially, I was posting everything in both Japanese and English because I had no confidence and wanted to be understood. Recently, I stopped with the English. I find it flows better, I write more, and I get better corrections! Cripes, wish I'd done that long ago.
Speaking - I suck at this. Skype is the obvious solution, but... Meh. I just suck at it.
Studying - I study using iKnow for about 30 minutes a week. And sometimes that's a stretch. SRS and I never got along well. iKnow's SRS-ish format works better for me because it always has audio and an image, and a sample sentence. I think. Certainly, the lists I made myself and put on iKnow don't work nearly as well as their courses. And sometimes, I just get fed up and quit for a while and come back later. That's happened a few times. I've been pushing myself less lately, and that seems to help.
Usage - I use Japanese a lot. Watching anime (usually with English subs, and very occasionally without), playing games (DS/3DS/PS3, whoo!), reading manga/light novels, Skype calls... A good portion of my week is spent with Japanese. Not a majority by any means, but hours, not minutes. I think this is why the language is sticking so well, despite my horrible study habits.
