| Last month | Last 3 months | All time | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Completed lessons | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Attendance rate | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Good, bad, and ugly, actually!
I have met some wonderful people who I love talking to. But I've had to talk to a lot of people to find them. On here, the main issue is that I can't contact lots and lots of people in order to get that 2-5 that are actually interested in conversation (ultimately spoken, let's be honest.) The time zone difference is probably the biggest problem.
I have had guys only interested in dating contact me (and even ask about having an affair, which is shocking to me). So that's why my picture is staying my wedding photo on here.
The worst case was a guy that was an amazing language partner, but got too attached to me and he had some issues he had to deal with, so I had to cut off all communication to sort of get away from the situation. It was a real pitty, but he was getting mad at me if I wasn't online and various things.
So I try to do language exchanges with girls now. And after so many language exchanges and running into so many inappropriate guys, I've learned to just ignore it. The best thing to do is just ignore the bad apples and focus on the people that help you learn!
0 votedJanuary 21, 20150If you think about why you are learning Japanese, that should answer your question for you! :)
If it's just to watch media/listen to songs/talk to Japanese people (on the phone), then I think it's not such a big deal.
If you plan to visit Japan, understand Japanese websites, read Japanese books, text chat with Japanese friends -- you will need to learn how to write Japanese, meaning hiragana, katakana, and the required 2000 or so kanji.
I agree with someone earlier that said your study options get severely limited if you don't know how to at least read hiragana and katakana. It will probably take you longer trying to tough it out just speaking than learning to read for that reason alone. It is a lot of work learning how to read, but once you do, you are should be much more effective at learning the language.
0 votedJanuary 21, 20150Okay I have some great ones!
I use HelloTalk to find people to practice Japanese with (or rather let them find me, since I have so many people to chat with now!)
I use Mixi to chat with people who speak almost no English to force myself to use Japanese and learn conversational skills (survival style!!)
I use Line to chat in person with Japanese native speakers.
ebiReader - For Japanese eBooks and manga.
AnkiDroid - Flashcards, to reinforce things I run into, usually.
JLPT Words - I'm not taking the JLPT, but it has quite a bit of vocabulary. I only use it for completely new words I run into. I force myself to free type them in Japanese and choose the correct Kanji (on my keyboard). I do a quiz of all my favorites (the new words) and after 5 correct writings, they get 5 stars and I un-favorite them. This is not a good way to memorize, but it does help with the muscle memory when it comes to writing (typing), if that makes sense. I let Anki take it from here.
Hulu - (Haha, bet you didn't think I would say this) - Hulu has tons of anime and Japanese dramas. Recent ones too.
Kanji Draw - Draw the Kanji (using the right stroke order) to search for new kanji you encounter! You have to have good handwriting and also know how to write it. A radical dictionary is sometimes more practical, but this will scrutinize your stroke order like a strict teacher lol
Furigana Browser - Finally! Browsing on your phone with furigana. Thank goodness. Use this if you are used to Rikachan/Rikaikun? You know the thing that is like a hover dictionary.
Tune In Radio - Listen to Japanese radio stations in real time! :) This thing has been a lifesaver!
That's all :)
0 votedJanuary 21, 20150
