I am. I've been self studying for about almost 2 month's now, but little by little.

I've done both in class and by myself, both work. If you really want to help yourself simply go to japan and do immersion, that's how I really gained my best speaking ability from.

I think the best way... is to watch lil kiddy shows..
i know it sounds a bit stupid but it REAALLY HELPS

when i was a lil kid in japan i used to watch sesame street
and that really helped now that i'm in the states.

if u have NHK (on dish) theres some japanses/english lil kids show..

little kids shows have people speaking like little kids..instead of gyunyuu i dont want to say gyugyu to an adult and humiliate myself!

hmmm.. i never thought of that.. im sry..

maybe i sound wierd cuz i learned half of my english from a lil kiddy show.. lol

smalltownsburnalittleslow wrote:

hmmm.. i never thought of that.. im sry.. maybe i sound wierd cuz i learned half of my english from a lil kiddy show.. lol

I think it's a good idea I learned my English like that too But if you want to really proper speak Japanese, it may not be a good idea.. but I, for now, only want to understand Japanese... so for me it's a good idea

I've studied japanese as a module in uni but it is just a beginners module.....now im thinking of buying some books to further study since i sort of know the basics (even though i forgot them mostly...LOL)...but im also contemplating learning from a language school too...sigh in dilemma now...

for those who study on your own, do you have friends to practice and converse with?...

I don't.
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I wish that I had friends here to practice with me.

I am reduced to listening to music and all of that.
Books, music, internet etc. etc

The ending result is that my reading comprehension is so much better than my listening comprehension.


speaking of that... Does anyone know where I can get really good listening comprehension practice? Preferably for free?
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MLC Meguro Language Center

http://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp/Download.htm
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tabana wrote:

MLC Meguro Language Center http://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp/Download.htm

wow, more learning for free...thanks for the info.

*off topic* woo it's quilver *ends off topicness*
*on topic*
free listening comprehension? ehh that's a tricky one, if you haven't tried pimsleur or rosetta stone stuff that's good, not the best but better than nothing and really not that bad (well i used it :X i kinda liked em)

Never tried Rosetta, but Pimsleur is not bad. It cost a lot though...

qilver wrote:

wow, more learning for free...thanks for the info.

No problem.
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I posted this in another topic and repeat it here for your reference:

Here is a site I've been using to learn Hiragana and Katakana.

You can just start with one column by taking off the checkmarks at the top of the columns for the ones you don't want. You'll be amazed how quickly you'll learn Hiragana and Katakana with this method:

http://www.chipchat.com/NihonGo/protect/HiraganaDrill.html

http://www.chipchat.com/NihonGo/protect/KatakanaDrill.html

ralphm1999 wrote:

I posted this in another topic and repeat it here for your reference: Here is a site I've been using to learn Hiragana and Katakana. You can just start with one column by taking off the checkmarks at the top of the columns for the ones you don't want. You'll be amazed how quickly you'll learn Hiragana and Katakana with this method: http://www.chipchat.com/NihonGo/protect/HiraganaDrill.html http://www.chipchat.com/NihonGo/protect/KatakanaDrill.html

Thanks, i will check these out.

aznanimedude wrote:

*off topic* woo it's quilver *ends off topicness* *on topic* free listening comprehension? ehh that's a tricky one, if you haven't tried pimsleur or rosetta stone stuff that's good, not the best but better than nothing and really not that bad (well i used it :X i kinda liked em)

lol......off topic....woo...woo

on topic, Pimsleur, someone uploaded the first set....just under 700mb..useful..
are there other series? set#2? forgot who uploaded it, arigatou ne...
i found it quite useful to practice listening, since learning Japanese by yourself is a commitment and takes dedication to learn it, consistantly.

What helped me the most in my Japanese studies was taking an intensive language course at a college. At the school I went to, you learn one years worth of Japanese in three months. it is intense but it was totally worth it. The books that we used was Genki 1. I find that book to be helpful but it is more for a college student who is studying Japanese and not for someone who is going to be living in the country. Of course, I would have learned more if I had taken the challenge and only spoke Japanese there.

I am living in Japan and studying Japanese on my own. I find the best way to study Japanese is to simply speak it. You make mistakes but it is the only way to get the practice in.

Genki 1. I think I have the audio part, but not the book. I'll check that out. thanks.
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I just found an awesome site for learning Japanese....... they have downloadable audio lessons featuring American and Japanese speakers.

http://www.japanesepod101.com/index.php

Thanks. I think I tried it once, but never gone back after my 7 days trial.
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