How I'd Learn Japanese (if starting over)

preview_player
Показать описание
In short, I would try to:

---
1) Create a "sacred study hour" that I can consistently show up for (almost) every day for a long stretch of time (multiple years).

In other words, I'd set up an airtight study routine that I love.

---
2) During my study hour, I'd use a "core study material". This is a low-effort content pipeline that, first and foremost, is aimed at increasing my general comprehension of the language quickly and efficiently.

For example, you could use an Anki deck with lots of sentences, look up grammar/kanji you don't know when you encounter them, then work toward being able to understand all of those sentences, then switch to a new deck (or native material, if you have a solid enough foundation) when you are finished with that.

I don't have room in this description to explain in detail the logic behind all the ways I would NOT use an Anki deck. Very short version:

2.1. minimize info on cards — long explanations in flashcards make reviews take way too long, are distracting, don't help much, etc.

2.2. no marking cards "wrong" — this would result in too many reviews being due each day, which would make my sacred study hour miserable. In any case, content in a language repeats naturally, so SRS algorithms have limited (but not zero) benefit. Don't over-rely on them!

2.3. 15 mins. reviews max — same ↑

2.4. no kanji cards — reading words in sentences will teach me kanji better than kanji-specific flashcards.

2.5. no grammar cards — same reason we want minimal info on cards. You can just look up grammar you forget/don't know. But the sentences in your deck should have a wide variety of grammar, which is pretty natural if you have a good/large deck of high-quality sentences.

2.6. no production — no speaking or writing practice. Not during the core-studies hour. My goal during this hour is to improve comprehension fast. But production is not a fast way to improve comprehension. Also, I wouldn't be consistent if I had all that pressure during my sacred study hour. I would find excuses to skip it.

2.7. no drills — aside from the fact that, contrary to what language courses might lead one to believe, a language is very resistant to being put into multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank exercises, this is not a fast way to increase comprehension.

---
3) Everything!

I'd get lots of exposure to natural Japanese in contexts that interest me. No pressure. I'd also get speaking practice here, outside my 1 hour of core studies.

---

Event Horizon, here we come!

---

The sentence was:

無理なく、焦らず、でも物件探しは一生懸命やっていただきたいなっていう風には思いますね。
The way I think of it is, I want to do my best to find new properties, but without rushing or pushing myself too hard.

無理なく (むりなく / without pushing [myself] too hard)
焦らず (あせらず / without rushing)
でも (but)
物件探し (ぶっけんさがし / searching for properties)
は ([topic marker])
一生懸命 (いっしょうけんめい / with all one's might; doing one's best)
やって (do [Vて form])
いただきたい (want to [humbly] receive)
な ([introspective particle])
っていう ([marks preceding content])
風に (way of [doing])
は ([topic marker])
思います (think [Vます form])
ね (right?; huh?; you know?)

Hope you enjoyed this one. ​Good luck with your studies! Feel free to reach out if you hit any speed bumps along the way. ^_^

Code: 2SBLYSOV3MF3TREP
Рекомендации по теме
Комментарии
Автор

Niko is like the Bob Ross of learning Japanese

UseOf
Автор

The sentence deep-dive at the end is IN-CREDIBLE learning content. I knew non-native, advanced speakers are better at explaining grammar, because its not innate to them, but that was so good you might've convinced me to get your app. Thanks man!

theastrochemist
Автор

Yes i agree with the 1st one. I’ve been learning for almost 4 years and the thing that I regret the most is not studying consistently. So really give time every single day to study even for a few minutes!

momori
Автор

I reluctantly moved back from Japan in 1998 after living there for 10 years due to the failing health of my parents. When I returned, the demands of my life as a husband, father, and son to sick and elderly parents put an end to my "Japan life." There was no time or opportunity to speak Japanese. After I finished my PhD two years ago, I finally had time to study Japanese again! I was both depressed and astonished by how quickly it can be lost. But from 1998 to 2022, the flood of language apps, videos, and collaborations has been almost overwhelming, but in a good way, I think, giving me a variety of ways to try to regain some of that long lost fluency. Back in the old days, studying Japanese was such a bewildering and ineffective combination of only a handful of resources. Anyway, I was happy to discover your video today and to learn about another way of utilizing all of these new resources. I really enjoyed the end of your video, the way you broke it down, and even the way you did NOT edit out your own struggle to get that sentence right, even after all your years of study! That was so impressive, brave, and helpful. Thank you for this and for your honest humanity and for what you are doing to make Japanese accessible and interesting!

TonyLudlow
Автор

Now this is perfect, no loud music in background, I can enjoy your voice. Very informational video as well!

vojinkarisik
Автор

Great video consistency is key to everything whether it be going to the gym or learning japanese don't give up ! We will all one day get there ! がんばって

DrkZero
Автор

i figured it out! Why his voice is calming and makes me a bit emotional but relaxed. its like listening to Mr. Rodgers or Levar Burton from reading rainbow. The tone and pace that he speaks cuts into the deepest part of my brain, finds my inner child, and makes me feel safe. Odd for a japanese study video but there it is.

these videos always remind me that there is no ultimate expectation or comparison with language learning, just taking small steps in a direction you find comfortable will suffice. and you get to your goal when you get to your goal.

ToFutureMeFromPastMe
Автор

Its my 4th week of learning Japanese... This was REALLY reassuring. Thank you so much 🙌🏻

megztheeggz
Автор

Man, this breakdown at the end is unreal. So helpful. It’s amazing to see how your mind works with all the animations. It’s like A Beautiful Mind, nihongo edition 😂

charmantcoeur
Автор

That event horizon metaphor is so great. Getting good enough at languages that I’m not going to forget them is always my goal. ありがとごぞまし。

charmantcoeur
Автор

That sentence breakdown is my best insight yet into how complex Japanese truly is.

autentyk
Автор

Just started learning a week ago, and finding your videos is WONDERFUL! I love your content!

NukaQueen
Автор

I tend to create hectic routines composed by all the topics I'm interested in learning (japanese included) and I am actually very productive nearly everyday. But then burnout happens from time to time. Your video made me realise that life can be quiet too. And fun. So thank you and your voice is soothing as nice cup of coffee on winter days!

cecifernandes
Автор

You unpacked so much Japanese at the end....I'm upper beginner /lower intermediate and I wish I would've had someone explained っていうand 風に思います, like you did in this video.

CPUBT
Автор

It's really inspiring to find your channel man. Thank you.

olliepoole
Автор

Really appreciate the vid man. I tried to learn last year. Picked up hiragana and katakana well. Got into kanji and mainly immersion methods and really bit off more than i can chew. I already spend several hours a day for learning software engineering for school and work as well. So trying to add a lot of time in japanese (especially immersion when i had a baseline of basically zero) made me just not want to learn it. I think I have gotten far better with my study method in general sense and I have gotten a better perspective of being content with knowing that taking japanese might take a long time. But if i dont study it I will never know it anyway. So i just want to be consistent and add in the time that i can do. (hopefully around 2 hours a day)

silverblade
Автор

I like that you recommend focusing on the receptive language skills during the sacred study hour. Production is hard work! But if you can build your receptive comprehension the production will follow with time

ScholarKWood
Автор

Not gonna lie, the way you advertised your language-learning site made me want to check it out. Just a humble "you can use it but i also know other methods".

esoes
Автор

really liked that section at the end - looking forward to more uploads

menzoie
Автор

Thank you for making these kind of videos 😊

bellabernadette
visit shbcf.ru