Language Learning

[Andy]

Wow, today I watched about 65 videos on YouTube (by Yuu Asakura) in regard to learning Japanese. They were only about 2 minutes long each, though. It was like revising what I should already know. But watching video is a good complement to studying from a book, more relaxing and you get to hear proper pronunciation. My plan was to force myself to do a few hours of study in one hit since I am fed up with my slow progress.

Also, I made notes of key sentences to practice later.

I find studying from a book or in a class painful and so demanding (100% CPU+RAM) that I sometimes have to go to bed and sleep for an hour after study to recover.

What's really important I think is to have a set of useful phrases to use in everyday life burned into your brain. Learning the technical aspects of sentence structure is OK but in live situations you need to instantly speak things.

A while back, I saw an interesting lecture by a Japanese guy who moved to the USA, he said that he wrote down and memorized stories about himself to use in parties etc. So when anyone asked him where are you from etc. He had a bunch of dialog already prepared instead of having to think up what to say on the spot.

Lately I convinced myself that I need to prepare stock phrases and dialog that I can start conversations with since most people don't know what your level of language competence is and if they start the conversation, you may not understand what they are saying.

I find bars the best place to practice talking since the locals rarely speak any English. In shops there is almost nothing to say since you are a god customer. Buying a train ticket is good chance to speak some simple stuff. Guiding a Taxi driver back to your home can be a good challenge too.

p.s. it's amazing how little language knowledge you need to get by though. But you need it to converse with people that you meet in bars.

Any more tips from you guys?

[Queen Bee]

No tips here. Best of luck to you!

Learning a language seems like an intense and laborious process. Have you watched any popular Japanese television shows or listened to music? Those seem like fun ways to practice recognizing words and phrases you've already learned.

[Andy]

I don't watch much of the TV since I can't stand the stupid game shows. I like watching K1 though.

In bars I get to talk to people, but I don't know how good my language skills are after a few beers LOL. I think they improve!

Learning a language seems like an intense and laborious process.

I think you are right there, but it must be way cool once you get fluent. I will report back on my progress in say 10 years LOL!