learning japanese

[dimitri_can]

You can try www.udemy.com or www.japanesepod101.com

 

[nydeidith]

You can try www.udemy.com or www.japanesepod101.com

thank very much!

while searching online i also found hougang japanese language school which offers online 1to1 for $30/hours...very reasonable rate and seems like a legit place...basically i dont have much time due to work and children and 1to1 online seems the best if i can have some flexibility for lesson timings! what do you think? my goal is to be conversational!

 

[dimitri_can]

Hougang Japanese Language School was my alma-mater.

You have to ask yourself if you have 4 hours to study per week? If not, it's better to rely on online resources to learn first, once you have some certain knowledge, then proceed to do lessons. Don't waste the money.

 

[nydeidith]

Hougang Japanese Language School was my alma-mater.

You have to ask yourself if you have 4 hours to study per week? If not, it's better to rely on online resources to learn first, once you have some certain knowledge, then proceed to do lessons. Don't waste the money.

Thanks! I will call them to check. I do have the 4 hours to study per week, just not at structured weekly timings at language schools. It will be great if the teachers are flexible with the class timing (e.g. having the lessons later at night or really really early in the morning and doing it online to remove need to travel somewhere). Actually i have studied in the past when i younger and also took classes in university, so i do know the basics already. Anyways thanks for your inputs

 

[dimitri_can]

I don't think they can. Call and check with them.
It's not the online that you think it is. The online classes have teachers around.

 

[nydeidith]

I don't think they can. Call and check with them.
It's not the online that you think it is. The online classes have teachers around.

I think its something new. Website says 1 to 1 online. I'm actually looking for this type of classes where there is a physical teacher and books will be used.

https://www.hougangjapanese.com/online-class

 

[9eptember18]

I learned Japanese from MOE Language Centre from sec 1-JC1. My grades are A2 for O lvls and B for H1. I really loved the teachers there, they were nice, and also organise other activities like sushi making, movie screenings.

In NUS, I also learned Japanese 4 and Japanese 5. Hated how NUS taught it, because it was VERY intense (7 hours a week, many homework and tests). I of course focused on my major which is Business, and only get B- in NUS. Also, NUS teach a lot of useless stuff like how to talk about politics, or study overseas in Japan which is not relevant to my interest.

Passed JLPT N2 in 2014, and failed N1 so I did not take it again. I was disillusioned by how Japanese companies conduct interviews, such as Muji, Sojitz, Uniqlo. A lot of sexist questions (saying I look like a princess, how they won't send women on business trips to India).

I have a lot of study materials, can pm me if want to share.

 

[YangPing]

Pm contact pls. TIA!

Pm me contact aso thks

 

[always2306]

Does your relative good in computer / internet, and also can read Chinese traditional characters?

I'm asking this, because I'm also learning Japanese in Chinese language.

However, I'm learning Japanese with a Taiwanese teacher.

He has online courses, from beginning up to N1 level.

I bought the course, and whenever I want to learn, I just opened the course and learn. Anytime, even midnight too.

And no, the course bought will not expire. If I bought last year, I still can learn the course this year or next year.

I'm learning from him because:

1. I couldn't find learning Japanese course in Chinese language over here in Singapore.
2. The course is much cheaper as compared to here (about 30% - 50% cheaper).
3. I can learn anytime I want.
4. He teaches a lot of things which typical textbook doesn't teach.

Btw, sometimes he might also do FB live, have a few questions asked by students, and explained the questions and why the answer is this and not that.... This is usually on Sunday nights, 9 pm.

Oh ya, currently he also has published 4 learning Japanese books, and seems like 2 more are also confirmed to be published.

Hi, I am interested. Can you please PM me the details? Thank you.

 

[ycycyc]

can recommend me the taiwan teacher thanks

 

[ycycyc]

Hi, I am interested. Can you please PM me the details? Thank you.

PM ME thanks

 

[wwenze]

Is Hougang school good beyond their Advance 1 if want to train for practical usage? Their Advance 1 is only N4 and higher than that is JLPT Preparatory Class.

How is Tomo's intermediate and pre-advance?

One thing I find weird is that my N4/N3 listening scores are pretty good (>90%) but I still find my listening speed not fast enough.

 

[omelet]

Anyone currently taking Japanese classes? How is zoom lesson like?

Thinking of rejoining one.
Should I wait till they switch back to physical lesson first?

 

[carolies541]

Anyone currently taking Japanese classes? How is zoom lesson like?

Thinking of rejoining one.
Should I wait till they switch back to physical lesson first?

I'm taking the one in bunka, Have been taking their online classes all the way since Elementary 1. Never face much challenges so far, sensei will always point a student to answer on rotational basis in class and you can submit your homework via taking a picture and send as PDF to her email and ask questions via email or after the lesson or during break time. The physical textbook and printouts can be taken from their school. It's slightly cheaper and imo more convenient than in-person classes so I think there's not a lot of difference from usual in-person classes.

 

[omelet]

I'm taking the one in bunka, Have been taking their online classes all the way since Elementary 1. Never face much challenges so far, sensei will always point a student to answer on rotational basis in class and you can submit your homework via taking a picture and send as PDF to her email and ask questions via email or after the lesson or during break time. The physical textbook and printouts can be taken from their school. It's slightly cheaper and imo more convenient than in-person classes so I think there's not a lot of difference from usual in-person classes.

Wah, your first post...
Thanks for the info...how long have you studied at bunka and what level are you currently at? Have been interested in trying out bunka, but I have friends who told me they were quite stress...and something about not being able to progress later...haha

Anyway, I just contacted ikoma...it looks like classes are moving back to physical lessons already and will be joining them once physical lesson start...

 

[carolies541]

Wah, your first post...
Thanks for the info...how long have you studied at bunka and what level are you currently at? Have been interested in trying out bunka, but I have friends who told me they were quite stress...and something about not being able to progress later...haha

Anyway, I just contacted ikoma...it looks like classes are moving back to physical lessons already and will be joining them once physical lesson start...

I'm now at the end of Elementary 3. Starting my intermediate course next week
I prefer online class so I don't need to waste time on travel, haha.
Ikoma seems like follows the structure a lot so will be good for those who want to go for JLPT but I think Bunka is quite practical Japanese? Speaking and grammar is quite an emphasis, so far I'm quite satisfied with their elementary classes.

 

[wwenze]

Sharing new trick for finding Japanese anime subs...

First there is this website, if you are too lazy to go and demux the sub files from the videos:

Japanese subtitles - kitsunekko.net

Next, many of them are still not ideal, because they show both the Chinese and Japanese together

And we don't want that. So we're going to bypass it.

Open the .ass file, and go to the "Styles" section

[V4+ Styles]
Format: Name, Fontname, Fontsize, PrimaryColour, SecondaryColour, OutlineColour, BackColour, Bold, Italic, Underline, StrikeOut, ScaleX, ScaleY, Spacing, Angle, BorderStyle, Outline, Shadow, Alignment, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Encoding
Style: Default,Source Han Sans SC Medium,90,&H00FFFFFF,&H000000FF,&H00000000,&H00000000,0,0,0,0,100,100,0.1,0,1,3,0,2,20,20,60,1
Style: Text - CN,MWOC31QQ,80,&H00F0F0F0,&H000000FF,&H00000000,&H00000000,0,0,0,0,100,100,0.1,0,1,3,0,2,20,20,50,1
Style: Text - JP,6C39WE21,50,&H00F0F0F0,&H000000FF,&H00000000,&H00000000,0,0,0,0,100,100,0.1,0,1,3,0,2,20,20,10,1
Style: Text - CN - top,Source Han Sans SC Medium,80,&H00F0F0F0,&H000000FF,&H00000000,&H00000000,0,0,0,0,100,100,0.1,0,1,3,0,8,20,20,10,1
Style: Text - JP - top,Source Han Sans Medium,50,&H00F0F0F0,&H000000FF,&H00000000,&H00000000,0,0,0,0,100,100,0.1,0,1,3,0,8,20,20,80,1
Style: Title,86IM0RZC,90,&H008250F0,&H000000FF,&H00000000,&H00000000,0,0,0,0,100,100,6.6,0,1,0,0,7,20,20,60,1
Style: Sign,MWOC31QQ,70,&H00FFFFFF,&H000000FF,&H00000000,&H00000000,0,0,0,0,100,100,0.1,0,1,3,0,2,30,30,30,1
Style: TopLeft,Source Han Sans SC Medium,50,&H00FFFFFF,&H00000000,&H00000000,&H00000000,0,0,0,0,100,100,0.1,0,1,2,0,7,30,30,30,1
Style: Ruby,Source Han Sans SC Medium,45,&H00FFFFFF,&H000019FF,&H00020814,&H00000000,0,0,0,0,100,100,0.1,0,1,3,0,2,0,0,40,0
Style: EDJP,P6TA67AV,55,&H0038393C,&H000000FF,&H64FFFFFF,&H32FFFFFF,0,0,0,0,95,100,2,0,1,1,1,2,20,20,40,1
Style: EDCN,XQWY0ZKA,55,&H0038393C,&H000000FF,&H64FFFFFF,&H32FFFFFF,0,0,0,0,95,100,2,0,1,1,1,8,20,20,40,1
Style: OPJP,VAJRTEFS,60,&H14FEFEFE,&H000000FF,&H78000000,&H00000000,0,0,0,0,100,100,2,0,1,3,0,2,20,20,40,1
Style: OPCN,86IM0RZC,60,&H14FEFEFE,&H000000FF,&H78000000,&H00000000,0,0,0,0,100,100,2,0,1,3,0,8,20,20,40,1
Style: Credit,86IM0RZC,48,&H00FEFEFE,&H000000FF,&H96000000,&H00000000,0,0,0,0,95,100,1,0,1,3,0,3,20,20,40,1

How .ass files work: Each subtitle has a "style". For most of the subtitles, they are going to use Text - CN or text... whatever, you get the idea.

What we are going to do is, edit the styles so that all the lines using this style will become invisible. In our case we want Text - CN to go missing.

What I've found is quickest to edit is that value 50 in red. That is Vertical margin. Putting a negative value here will make the text go outside of the video. I just put -1050 to make sure it really stays out, but creative people may have notice you can also use this method to shift the subtitles to the black bar regions of your screen if your screen has black bars.

Once done, save and reload. No more Chinese! Yay.

 

[FrostWurm]

I studied at Bunka a really long time ago but studying at Ikoma now

I feel Ikoma is very good for unmotivated or busy learners like me . I have not done the homework in years but still manage to get through most of the lessons. Bunka on the other hand is overall shorter in total duration and thus more intense.

One of the advantages of Bunka is that they teach you all the forms (including the very important dictionary form) right from the start, In my opinion, this is a very good move as it becomes easier for the student to conjugate the verb in more advanced classes. Ikoma starts from masu-form and then goes back to dictionary form. While not an issue for many students, some students have to first conjugate the masu-form backwards back to dictionary and then conjugate forward again. Bunka is really better for me for elementary class.

In terms of location, Ikoma wins. It is so close to the MRT whereas Bunka is a short walk (unsheltered) from the MRT; the location is a little bit at the fringe of Orchard Road.

Classroom setting wise, I slightly prefer Ikoma where all tables face the front towards the whiteboard. I haven't been to Bunka in awhile so my experience may be outdated, but their seating is U-shaped so most of the time you will be facing your other classmates. This is for the purpose of practising conversation with different people. Downside is that you may have to tilt your body to face the whiteboard.

Physical/online wise, I prefer physical by a large margin (especially if its a weekend class). Can hang out at Orchard Road after class but more importantly, I cannot concentrate when the class is over Zoom. I will do almost anything else (online shopping, reading forums like this etc.) but will not listen to the class. I also don't really like to talk to the screen for Japanese lessons (I'm ok to do this for work though haha).

Sensei-wise, it's really up to the individual but most impt you can find one that you are comfortable with. Some are funny (huge plus for most people), others are more serious but good at teaching, but there are also some that don't really teach well even. Similar to real-life, the more charismatic a sensei is, the more popular with the students.

 

[Babyval]

I am taking lessons at Bunka. I feel that Bunka primarily focuses on speech rather than writing.

 

[zhirong]

Have finished further advanced in Ikoma 2 months back. Have gotten N2 pre-covid and thought of taking N1 once the situation improve. Anyone have any recommendation? So far I only shortlisted Ikoma N1 prep course.