[Japan] Does anyone want to learn Japanese?

I've studied the language for three years up to a conversational level, and I really enjoy teaching this language to other people. Also, in my experience with Japanese martial arts, knowing the name and basis of what you're doing broadens your understanding of the art.

If anyone is interested in learning this language, I would be very glad to teach them the basics or give them study tips. In general, people think by default it is a difficult language, but it really isn't, and it only requires a little perseverance and commitment to get going.

So post here if you're interested!

 

Hey, I have been teaching myself and have a very basic understanding of the principles of the langauge. I have learnt the alphabet (Hiragana). I can identify a few words, but am mainly limited to a karate vocabulary (and the basics like i am going to he shops, etc).

I would like to know about katakana and how they are formed/relate to the spoken work. And increase my ability so that I can hold a basic conversation in japanese, as I intend to visit in the not to distant future. Where are you from, I live down in Australia so probably won't be able to meet up, but if you could point me in the direction of some good online resources, I'd really appreciate it.

 

My gf picked up the Rosetta Stone for me last xmas but since I'm still in school it's been more something I was 'planning' to do and something I haven't really had time for between said gf and training and school :/ But I will I swear!

 

I'd love to be able to learn Japanese up to speaking level. It'd be nice to have more than just my terminology. To appreciate your art is one thing, but to appreciate your arts culture and language is a step up; that's what I'd like.

 

I've been working my way through the Pimsleur course on my way to work, having an extra resource is always good though.

 

I took it for four semesters in collage. Learned Hiragana, katagana and some basic Kanji. I never got to the conversational level but would love to continue learning this language.

 

I wouldn't mind helping if people had questions about Japanese..I've been living here for a few years and know it fairly well...
Can't teach it, but I could probably help with random questions occasionally.

 

I to would be interested in learning some more, any online resources you could suggest would be great.

 

Interested as well in learning it. Like what would be some phrases I should know right of the bat. Would prefer to be able to read and comprehend it even more than speak it. I will be back with question when I can get around here, see you later here.

 

I would love to learn to carry a conversation as I am planning to stay in Japan three years from now to further my training. Please let me know how can I contact you.

Thnaks

 

Okay, I think these are enough replies to make a decent group with. Now, I think I'll open a new thread with easy reading and exercise material so we can dive ahead into the foremost basic knowledge of Japanese, so please redirect yourselves over there! Fifthchambed can probably help out as well whenever he has got the spare time.

Please notice I'm not pointing out to online resources yet because even when you're self-studying, doing it alone WITH online resources is harder, a lot more so when you're only starting. It's much easier when you have got someone to lean on and ask about what you've learned, then exercise it with internet tools (which I will point at, at some point).

It would also be nice if we managed to make a study group in real time. We do have the MAP chat up there, and Skype is an excellent way to get your conversational skills going, but if anybody is interested, we need to settle on a time to do so (say, once a week?).

 

Hi Kappa..

I'm up for that, no worries at all...I'll lurk about until someone needs my help or I have something to say then mate...
Good idea to start this up I reckon..Increasing good knowledge can only be a good thing..
Regards.

 

Watcha all, I've been living here for the last nine years nearly, so I'll pop in with me two yen's worth every now and then too.

Watcha Ben... still haven't got round to meeting up eh? Weren't you having crazy woman trouble last time or something?! Anyway, training Sat, prob Inokashira Park if you're around...

 

Hi mate...
I'm training all day Saturday unfortunately...Well, I say training, but for the last month I've been sidelined with a muscle injury to my knee (Or something..Doctors here can't see anything..But it doesn't get better unless I do nothing, so I reckon it's muscle related)..I'll be watching keiko in Nakano this weekend..

What time will you be heading to Kichijo?

And "crazy woman trouble"....Yeah, pretty much always sounds about right..Things are a touch more settled now, I'm with Naoko and we've been dating a few months..Touch wood it's all okay..

Regards.

 

Don't know what time yet, may even turn out to be Sun.

Knee: I'll send you the details of the sports hospital in Hachioji, it's the only hospital over here I'd trust for that kind of thing.

 

Thanks Mat..

The hospital advice is perfect..Although the knee (Or rather, the muscles linking into it I think) seems to be healing, I will undoubtedly have need to go to a place like the Hachioji centre you recommended..This injury has taken almost two months to halfway heal, and none of the doctors I went too (Including a "specialist") have been anywhere near as sure as I'd expect after an MRI and X Rays...Like they didn't want to tell me not to train in case I didn't want too?Baffling...

Any good hospitals here are in sore need, so thanks for the help.

Sunday I think I'm free all day (Depending on gym) so let me know what time and I'll see if I can make it down to watch at least..

All the best.

 

You're up to a conversational level and you feel qualified to teach?

 

... ooooookay, I have no idea what that was supposed to mean, but here goes.

Of course I'm not qualified like a teacher would be: I'm only taking JLPT's 3級 this year. I only want to keep my knowledge fresh while teaching other people about what I already know. Anything wrong about that?

Most people that want to learn need assistance with the most basic principles: kana, 4級 kanji, and simple sentence structuring, as well as solving doubts on other more advanced structuring and vocabulary. Considering that I've been working on that for almost two years, I'd be more than happy to share what I know with them (and seeing that we have two people living in Japan here as well, it seems like it'd be a fun thing to do, too).

 

I Know I'm a little late to chime in here, but I too would love to learn japanese to a conversational level. Right now I'm limited to dojo no nihongo. I've thought of Rosetta Stone, but it's expensive and I don't have a lot of time between family, work, college, and martial arts. So yeah, any help I can get is much appreciated.

 

I've got the Basic I (aka "Where you start from scratch") thread up. So far it's only a lesson, but for lesson two I've gotta scan some stuff, and it's a bit late to do so right now.

I plan to write up the Basic II (aka "Where you've got some idea of where you're at, but still need to ask for directions") thread for those who're already past the basics, once I'm done planning the pace of Basic I. It shouldn't take long, so please have patience.

I'm not really sure how much audience this would have, but I was also thinking of opening a practice thread for those already capable of sentence structuring (namely Mr. Punch and fifthchamber, as well as a few others). Yea or nay?

Lastly, I need to know if anybody needs help installing Japanese IME and keyboard on their computer (and if so, what OS you're running).