Writing a Diary in Japanese
Recently, I have been writing in my Japanese diary a lot. It is good vocabulary, kanji and grammar practice for written Japanese.
As you write in your diary, you will become more familiar with sentence structure, and you may even begin to feel more comfortable and confident in your writing! I think that I have. I used to be terrified of making mistakes, and so I would not use Japanese very often. But now, I am less scared of this, and I am beginning to notice an improvement in my skill. I combine writing in my Japanese diary with uploading the entries onto Lang-8. That way my mistakes are being corrected by native speakers, and often they will give me tips on how to write something in a more natural, native way. So, I believe that this method is helping me to improve faster than if I were to just write in the diary. But, if you are nervous about doing this, you don't have to. I waited until I was a little bit more confident to begin uploading. I still found that I was able to improve just by writing in my diary. So please, give writing a Japanese diary a try! It doesn't matter what you write. You could write about your day, you could write about what you want to do in the future, or you could even write a story. Just as long as you write! And, don't get discouraged. Even one sentence a day is helpful!!! You don't have to use an expensive journal for this. I bought mine (shown to the left) for $2.80 from Daiso. You can use anything you want really. You can even use your computer, though you will miss out on practicing to write Japanese by hand, which gets a lot easier the more you practice! If you do decide to start a Japanese diary, I would love to hear from you!!! |
はじめのいっぽI bought this book on a whim recently, from the Co-op Bookshop on campus.
I have only looked through a few chapters, but so far, I am impressed. The first chapter is all about introducing yourself, and asking people basic questions about their names, their jobs and where they are from. Chapter two consists of asking where particular items are in a store, asking if the store carries the item you are looking for, and how much it costs. The third chapter contains the basics of ordering food and eating in Japan. And so on and so forth. This book is designed to be used by people living in Japan who have never had the chance to study Japanese formally, or who have only attended elementary level classes. I bought it because I thought that perhaps it would be a good way to relearn and recap the basics of day to day conversation, and it has definitely been useful so far, teaching me things long forgotten. Each chapter consists of practice dialogues, with vocab lists underneath. The dialogue is written in kanji (with furigana), hiragana and katakana as appropriate, with a romaji transcription and English translation. After these dialogues, there is a section breaking down the grammar points for the topic. I find the layout of this section quite appealing, and not as overwhelming as some grammar sections are in other books. Then comes the practice exercises. Often these are simple, requiring you to substitute your own details in the sample dialogues, or looking at a diagram to answer the questions. But, they are good reinforcement of information that is often forgotten if not used for a while. And, each chapter also contains a section called "Fukubukuro". This section is quite interesting. It contains a variety of different things, such as further vocabulary or grammar, information about different aspects of different culture, and more questions for you to contemplate and answer. This volume of course comes with an audio CD. The CD has on it all of the sample dialogues found in the book so that you can learn listening skills and pronunciation. And, if placed in a computer it also contains further exercises for you to work through. All in all, I think that this is an excellent book so far, and I would recommend it to those who wish to find a fun, easy way to recap the basics, or for those who need to learn the basics of everyday conversation so that they can enjoy their day to day lives in Japan. |
Word CardsWord cards are a very simple to use resource for studying Japanese (or any language really).
Essentially, you write the word, or character, that you want to memorise on the front side of a card, and then write the translation on the back. This way you can study and memorise without needing to have someone read the words to you. I tend to write in kanji on the front of the card where appropriate, and then on the back write the hiragana reading as well as the meaning of the word. That way you can study kanji as well as the vocabulary! I keep mine on my desk when I am studying so I can write down new words as I come across them. Then I put it in my pencil case, because I very rarely leave the house without my pencil case. These come in a variety of different designs and patterns. I bought the lower one with bears on it from Kinokuniya for AU$2, and the above ones were given to me by a friend. She received them at a conference. Of course, you could easily make your own if you do not wish to buy them, using cut up paper. I prefer buy them though, as they usually come with a ring on one end, which keeps all of the cards together, and also allows you to attach them to your keys, bag or pencil case, so it is easy to carry them around without losing them!!! They are designed perfectly for portable study. Not only are they easy to transport, but they are also small, and easy to use while you are on public transport, waiting in line for something, or sitting at a cafe!!! Using them often in these sorts of situations allows you to learn a language a lot faster!!! |
Kanji 'Look and Learn'
These are the text books that I am using at the moment. They are very useful I think. These books contain 512 beginner-intermediate kanji characters, so it is good for beginner and intermediate learners of kanji, as well as advanced learners who would like to revise what they have previously learned.
The textbook (the white book) contains the kanji, as well as illustrations and mnemonic hints to help you memorise them. The readings for each kanji are also provided, as well as examples. This book also functions as a kanji dictionary!
The kanji workbook (the yellow book) contains space to practice each kanji, and provides opportunity for kanji reading practice, writing practice, comprehension and revision. It also comes with an answer key in the back, so you don't have to buy one separately like with some other books. So, if you buy these, please make sure that there is an answer key in the back of the yellow workbook!!!
I would recommend these books to Japanese students who are learning kanji. I personally use it as additional study on top of what uni provides me.
While learning the kanji from these books, you are also able to learn some vocabulary, and to a lesser extent, grammar, due to the example sentences that are provided for each kanji!
The textbook (the white book) contains the kanji, as well as illustrations and mnemonic hints to help you memorise them. The readings for each kanji are also provided, as well as examples. This book also functions as a kanji dictionary!
The kanji workbook (the yellow book) contains space to practice each kanji, and provides opportunity for kanji reading practice, writing practice, comprehension and revision. It also comes with an answer key in the back, so you don't have to buy one separately like with some other books. So, if you buy these, please make sure that there is an answer key in the back of the yellow workbook!!!
I would recommend these books to Japanese students who are learning kanji. I personally use it as additional study on top of what uni provides me.
While learning the kanji from these books, you are also able to learn some vocabulary, and to a lesser extent, grammar, due to the example sentences that are provided for each kanji!
Japan 'The Original Point-and-Speak Phrasebook
This book is quite fun, and a very good idea.
It contains words and phrases that you may find yourself using in Japan. You can read the phrase straight from the book if you can't remember what to say, and you can also point directly at the phrase you wish to use so that the person you are asking can read it.
The words within the book are written in kanji, hiragana and katakana as appropriate, with a romaji reading underneath so that you can learn how to pronounce the phrase. It of course also has an English translation so that you know what it means.
The book is quite colourful, so it is very engaging. In the back there is also a section called 'Tips on Understanding Japanese People' which explains some of the cultural differences between Japan and Western countries. At the very back of the book there is a glossary of additional vocabulary, and a glossary of Japanese holidays, nations of the world and other such things!
The covers are very glossy, and on the back there is a square, inviting you to write in it. I love this idea! If you carry around a white board marker with you, then you can use it as a white board. So, if you need someone to draw you a map, or write down a phone number, or anything else, you can do so easily without fumbling around for a pen and paper!
I have not yet been to Japan, so I cannot tell you how useful this is in actual use as a 'point-and-speak' phrasebook, but it seems like it would work quite well.
I recently showed this book to my Japanese lecturer, and she thought that it was a spectacular idea. She hopes that I will not have to use it (considering I am studying under her that is fair enough), but agreed that it is excellent for learning a lot of vocabulary that we may not learn in class, such as hotel or airport vocab.
It contains words and phrases that you may find yourself using in Japan. You can read the phrase straight from the book if you can't remember what to say, and you can also point directly at the phrase you wish to use so that the person you are asking can read it.
The words within the book are written in kanji, hiragana and katakana as appropriate, with a romaji reading underneath so that you can learn how to pronounce the phrase. It of course also has an English translation so that you know what it means.
The book is quite colourful, so it is very engaging. In the back there is also a section called 'Tips on Understanding Japanese People' which explains some of the cultural differences between Japan and Western countries. At the very back of the book there is a glossary of additional vocabulary, and a glossary of Japanese holidays, nations of the world and other such things!
The covers are very glossy, and on the back there is a square, inviting you to write in it. I love this idea! If you carry around a white board marker with you, then you can use it as a white board. So, if you need someone to draw you a map, or write down a phone number, or anything else, you can do so easily without fumbling around for a pen and paper!
I have not yet been to Japan, so I cannot tell you how useful this is in actual use as a 'point-and-speak' phrasebook, but it seems like it would work quite well.
I recently showed this book to my Japanese lecturer, and she thought that it was a spectacular idea. She hopes that I will not have to use it (considering I am studying under her that is fair enough), but agreed that it is excellent for learning a lot of vocabulary that we may not learn in class, such as hotel or airport vocab.
Memory Line Pen
This is a great tool for memorisation.
You highlight a word or sentence (or anything you wish to memorise) with one colour, and then place the plastic sheet of the other colour over the highlighted section, and the writing that has been highlighted disappears! One great thing about this is that you can still see everything else on the page!
I tend to highlight the Japanese word in one colour, then the English translation in the other, that way I can have one hidden at all times to help me with my memorisation of vocabulary.
When you have a lot of vocabulary to memorise, or kanji, or mathematics equations, or historical dates, or anything really, it can seem overwhelming. So, you should do what you can to make this all a little bit easier on yourself. If you need help memorising anything, please try a Memory Line pen, as you may find that it helps!
You highlight a word or sentence (or anything you wish to memorise) with one colour, and then place the plastic sheet of the other colour over the highlighted section, and the writing that has been highlighted disappears! One great thing about this is that you can still see everything else on the page!
I tend to highlight the Japanese word in one colour, then the English translation in the other, that way I can have one hidden at all times to help me with my memorisation of vocabulary.
When you have a lot of vocabulary to memorise, or kanji, or mathematics equations, or historical dates, or anything really, it can seem overwhelming. So, you should do what you can to make this all a little bit easier on yourself. If you need help memorising anything, please try a Memory Line pen, as you may find that it helps!
Japanese Language Manga
よつばと!このまんがを読んで下さい。
Japanese manga is a great way to practice reading Japanese.
I find it best to start with a simple manga that is aimed more toward children. If you do this, you will not have too much trouble reading, as the kanji has furigana (hiragana readings) next to it, so that if you do not know the kanji, that will not stop you from reading and comprehending.
Reading manga is fun and engaging, so you will stay focused on the Japanese for longer than if you were reading from a textbook. You will probably retain more from it, and it will most likely keep you motivated, even when you are feeling as if you are not making any progress (which, trust me, happens when you study another language. It is completely normal).
I have started to read Yotsubato! in Japanese. It is quite easy to follow, especially considering that the main character is a 5 year old girl. I have noticed that she herself has a very small amount of kanji in her speech bubbles (to convey the fact that she is young and hasn't been to school to learn yet I suppose).
So please, if you are looking for a fun way to practice reading Japanese, try reading manga in Japanese! It is a lot of fun, and you will probably feel quite proud of how much you find yourself understanding!
I find it best to start with a simple manga that is aimed more toward children. If you do this, you will not have too much trouble reading, as the kanji has furigana (hiragana readings) next to it, so that if you do not know the kanji, that will not stop you from reading and comprehending.
Reading manga is fun and engaging, so you will stay focused on the Japanese for longer than if you were reading from a textbook. You will probably retain more from it, and it will most likely keep you motivated, even when you are feeling as if you are not making any progress (which, trust me, happens when you study another language. It is completely normal).
I have started to read Yotsubato! in Japanese. It is quite easy to follow, especially considering that the main character is a 5 year old girl. I have noticed that she herself has a very small amount of kanji in her speech bubbles (to convey the fact that she is young and hasn't been to school to learn yet I suppose).
So please, if you are looking for a fun way to practice reading Japanese, try reading manga in Japanese! It is a lot of fun, and you will probably feel quite proud of how much you find yourself understanding!