learning japanese

[Janetsk]

how and where do i start if i am completely new to the japanese language?


my first language is mandarin

If self-studying, the translation and grammatical explanation notes for Minna no Nihongo is available in Chinese. It would be easier to transfer to a school using Minna no Nihongo at a later stage.

In any case, your first language should not matter when studying at a school like Ikoma as the teachers only speak Japanese in class.

 

[Idme231]

If self-studying, the translation and grammatical explanation notes for Minna no Nihongo is available in Chinese. It would be easier to transfer to a school using Minna no Nihongo at a later stage.

In any case, your first language should not matter when studying at a school like Ikoma as the teachers only speak Japanese in class.

Is this why most schools ask which book i am using to start a level? tho i dont use that book much.
For me, i would use the JLPT summary book and etc to revise better.. for convo is others..

 

[Ah_keong]

Haha never been to a pub or bar in japan before except club. Such a tip that everyone needs to know
Wait till i return to japan next year then (Y)

easier to chat and make friends.

 

[Ah_keong]

has anyone taken classes at tomo language school? not sure if it is good.

i took N4 preparatory class at ikoma this may-jul, so wanna continue to N3..

i hope i can self study as im very tired after work and wanna rest during weekends, not sure if there are books which consolidate all N3 grammar and vocab?

For N3 and above, I would recommend Ikoma.

Self-study requires lots of passion and discipline. If you are not able to dedicate time and space for N3, I would suggest you to hold then and brush up your N5 and N4 in the meantime.

Practice makes perfect!

 

[Ah_keong]

Tomo language school was founded by my ex Japanese teacher. He was teaching in Ikoma before setting up this school. I believe that he isn't using みなの日本語 textbook to teach. He's a good teacher.

You can try studying there for a semester to see whether it suit you.

sorry to interrupt.
Heard 1 good teacher just left Tomo? is it true?

 

[zhirong]

Haha never been to a pub or bar in japan before except club. Such a tip that everyone needs to know
Wait till i return to japan next year then (Y)

Another way is to join meetup in both Japan and Singapore. Look for those meetups that speaks strictly Japanese or if in the case of language exchange, have equal time to use both Japanese and another language (usually English).

I have joined many of these in Tokyo and Osaka and made a few Japanese friends from there as well. If you travel there often, you should give it a try.

Sadly, it is not common in other parts of Japan. I couldn't find a good one in Fukuoka and Sapporo. There are quite a few in Nagoya but I didn't spend enough time there back then and hence did not join any.

 

[Idme231]

Another way is to join meetup in both Japan and Singapore. Look for those meetups that speaks strictly Japanese or if in the case of language exchange, have equal time to use both Japanese and another language (usually English).

I have joined many of these in Tokyo and Osaka and made a few Japanese friends from there as well. If you travel there often, you should give it a try.

Sadly, it is not common in other parts of Japan. I couldn't find a good one in Fukuoka and Sapporo. There are quite a few in Nagoya but I didn't spend enough time there back then and hence did not join any.

Have heard of such exchange but i didn't have the chance to did it. Too shy.

 

[Idme231]

For N3 and above, I would recommend Ikoma.

Self-study requires lots of passion and discipline. If you are not able to dedicate time and space for N3, I would suggest you to hold then and brush up your N5 and N4 in the meantime.

Practice makes perfect!

Ikoma is the best but very crowded. And yes, until now i am too busy to revise further. Timing too packed and ppl i asked is also busy wif their work... Now i just have to see what i can do. Really alot of discipline as you mentioned.

 

[Idme231]

easier to chat and make friends.

I worked in japanese restaurant before tho. At least they speak english but japanese i speak only alittle.. Lol

 

[Ah_keong]

Ikoma is the best but very crowded. And yes, until now i am too busy to revise further. Timing too packed and ppl i asked is also busy wif their work... Now i just have to see what i can do. Really alot of discipline as you mentioned.

Well,

U need passion and sacrifice and lots of discipline.
I used to sacrifice my weekends and weekday nights to study.

Those days, I used to listen to Japanese radio, Japanese magazines, etc and set my things to Japanese language(like my PC settings, Iphone settings, etc)

Another way to learn is by teaching, via teaching, I am able to summarise and synthesize the points and concepts to teach others.

In a way, it made me learn deeper and wider. I used to read many books and see how one point or concept is taught across various books.

One thing I learn is different approaches of explanation can reach different audiences. But at the end of the day, the point or concept is the same.

 

[Ah_keong]

I worked in japanese restaurant before tho. At least they speak english but japanese i speak only alittle.. Lol

that's a good way to learn Japanese.

Practice makes perfect.

You don't practice till you get it right but you practice till you will not get it wrong.

 

[Idme231]

Well,

U need passion and sacrifice and lots of discipline.
I used to sacrifice my weekends and weekday nights to study.

Those days, I used to listen to Japanese radio, Japanese magazines, etc and set my things to Japanese language(like my PC settings, Iphone settings, etc)

Another way to learn is by teaching, via teaching, I am able to summarise and synthesize the points and concepts to teach others.

In a way, it made me learn deeper and wider. I used to read many books and see how one point or concept is taught across various books.

One thing I learn is different approaches of explanation can reach different audiences. But at the end of the day, the point or concept is the same.

Same! Till now i set my computer and phone to japanese language. HAHAHA!

 

[Idme231]

that's a good way to learn Japanese.

Practice makes perfect.

You don't practice till you get it right but you practice till you will not get it wrong.

That's me trying to think for 5 seconds to know what to say w

 

[Ah_keong]

That's me trying to think for 5 seconds to know what to say w

5 seconds is too long....

you have passed N4.
try 3 seconds.

 

[Idme231]

5 seconds is too long....

you have passed N4.
try 3 seconds.

Nope i didn't. I almost passed by a few marks. But never mind about that. I just retake the test another time. Me and the silly careless mistakes.

yep ard 3-4 seconds. i been trying to see what words i can use. But sometimes i lost my tots then make mistake. Blur blur :/. Even i ask questions also take abit longer time so that the person can understand, at least they japanese corrects the term from your words. :/

But really, what if JLPT have conversation/oral content from the beginning? LOL i really wonder. Hmmm.

 

[kmtjun]

sorry to ask here..i know not suitable.

but very despo...

i need anyone who can speak japanese to do survey (to my japanese client) ?
anyone interested?

 

[PingJun]

sorry to interrupt.
Heard 1 good teacher just left Tomo? is it true?

Sorry I'm unsure as I'm not a student over there.

 

[PingJun]

Anyone here is learning Japanese language using Chinese language?

 

[Janetsk]

sorry to interrupt.
Heard 1 good teacher just left Tomo? is it true?

Yes, Suda sensei has returned to Japan.

 

[Janetsk]

Is this why most schools ask which book i am using to start a level? tho i dont use that book much.
For me, i would use the JLPT summary book and etc to revise better.. for convo

Which books are you using?