Ok. So I am on the site and I can find a bunch of lessons labeled Beginner 1 but exactly which one is lesson one.???? Does any one know where I am supposed to start. I have been studying for almost 3 years now, and I can read and write more than most but am lost when it comes to conversations. I just really really getting fed up with trying to learn this language and paying through the teeth for it and still not able to order a hamburger if I want to.
| Question: | Ok I am Lost |
|---|---|
| Term: | Where is lesson one??? |
| Lesson: | Classroom Japanese, Part 1 |
Nice to meet you Josh!
I wouldn't start at Beginner 1 if I were you because you'll get bored and boredom is your brain's way of telling you it's not learning.
Pick an intermediate 1 lesson, any one that takes your interest. If it's too easy (boring) or too hard (baffling), then try a different one until you get one that keeps your interest for an hour or so.
Learning vocabulary and grammar, the "natural input" method, doesn't really have a clear beginning and end. You are on you own personal learning curve, and you keep going up it.
You needn't pay through anything for LingQ if you don't want to, though I find I get a good return for my fistful of dollars.
I wouldn't start at Beginner 1 if I were you because you'll get bored and boredom is your brain's way of telling you it's not learning.
Pick an intermediate 1 lesson, any one that takes your interest. If it's too easy (boring) or too hard (baffling), then try a different one until you get one that keeps your interest for an hour or so.
Learning vocabulary and grammar, the "natural input" method, doesn't really have a clear beginning and end. You are on you own personal learning curve, and you keep going up it.
You needn't pay through anything for LingQ if you don't want to, though I find I get a good return for my fistful of dollars.
10 bucks, that's the price of 2 hamburgers here. Though, I don't eat hamburgers. Win!
Click on 'view collection'?
Skyblue's response was golden. Anyone starting here should read it a few times.
Personally, I found downloading a bunch of B2 and I1 lessons, and listening to them over and over and reading the transcript with a translation over and over 10,20,30,100 times for a few months is the best way to dive in.
I personally wouldn't have been able to do it with Dutch. I was already on native materials before I came to LingQ. I see my time here as 'perfecting' my knowledge of the language. But, it sounds like the right level for joshm.
Given that you can read and write 'more than most' but you are 'lost' when it comes to conversations, you might be interested in checking out some of the LingQ conversations. They might be hard at first, but you've got the transcripts there and you can look up anything you're not sure about. Lots of listening and reading will help you improve your level. http://www.lingq.com/learn/ja/store/26342/
For a Beginner 1, 2, 3 kind of approach (although these may be below your level), try the Greetings and Goodbyes, Eating out and Who is She collections in the library (they are available in all the supported languages).
For a Beginner 1, 2, 3 kind of approach (although these may be below your level), try the Greetings and Goodbyes, Eating out and Who is She collections in the library (they are available in all the supported languages).
Josh, if you want to be able to improve in conversational Japanese , you need to listen to (and read) a lot of conversational Japanese, acquire the words, and let your brain get used to this kind of language. You should also sign up for an online discussion with one of our tutors.
There are lots of interesting items in our library, all with audio and text. It may take you a few minutes for you to look around in order to find something of interest. If you have been studying for three years you should be able to just jump in and use these materials.
The language does not consist of Chapters 1, 2, 3. Text books are divided into chapters, not the language. It is probably time you stepped outside textbooks. Good luck.
There are lots of interesting items in our library, all with audio and text. It may take you a few minutes for you to look around in order to find something of interest. If you have been studying for three years you should be able to just jump in and use these materials.
The language does not consist of Chapters 1, 2, 3. Text books are divided into chapters, not the language. It is probably time you stepped outside textbooks. Good luck.
Josh, when I first moved to Japan I mostly just read and listened. I had to scour the book stores to find material with glossaries in English. I found that within months I was able to start talking and soon was at a conversational level. Here at LingQ it is all at your finger tips.
What kind of material have you been reading? What have you been listening to?
What kind of material have you been reading? What have you been listening to?
I have been studying for the last few years using the minna no nihongo resources books, as well as Basic Kanji 110. I have also spent many hours in classroom study with native speakers, read through Japanese for Busy People, and ordered the Elementary Japanese books. (Haven't made it through that series yet)
I guess that I am just studying the wrong way or just missing something small and its keeping me from grasping the fundamental order or Japanese speech. I know that most Native speakers are taught using the 5 shift Conjugation Technique but for the foreign language learner we are taught nothing but masu form from day one. Understandably this is where we should begin so as not to upset the people with which we try to converse. However we are not then taught these methods of casual speech.
I have yet to hear another one of my co-workers using the masu form of any word unless speaking with a customer and/or representative of another company.
I guess that I am just studying the wrong way or just missing something small and its keeping me from grasping the fundamental order or Japanese speech. I know that most Native speakers are taught using the 5 shift Conjugation Technique but for the foreign language learner we are taught nothing but masu form from day one. Understandably this is where we should begin so as not to upset the people with which we try to converse. However we are not then taught these methods of casual speech.
I have yet to hear another one of my co-workers using the masu form of any word unless speaking with a customer and/or representative of another company.
I just learned the masu form and that was fine for me for a long time. You learn to understand the shorter forms, but the masu form is neutral and probably worthwhile keeping until you really feel comfortable enough to navigate the different levels of politeness. I have not scoured our library since I am not doing Japanese right now but I am sure you will find a variety of forms.
In my view, the main thing is to get lots of exposure, lots of listening and reading. You are exposed to more casual language at work, so there is no harm in hearing the more formal forms here at LingQ and building up your familiarity with the language and your overall vocabulary. It is important not to get frustrated. It all takes time.
I have no idea what the 5 shift conjugation technique is. I think that you should continue with the books you have, but augment it with listening and reading here at LingQ. You should read and save words from whatever content you listen to. Maybe others can suggest which lessons you should try from our library.
In my view, the main thing is to get lots of exposure, lots of listening and reading. You are exposed to more casual language at work, so there is no harm in hearing the more formal forms here at LingQ and building up your familiarity with the language and your overall vocabulary. It is important not to get frustrated. It all takes time.
I have no idea what the 5 shift conjugation technique is. I think that you should continue with the books you have, but augment it with listening and reading here at LingQ. You should read and save words from whatever content you listen to. Maybe others can suggest which lessons you should try from our library.