Getting prepared?

[ShannonR]

I am going to Japan next April, and I've learnt Japanese for 3 years. However I haven't used it for somewhat 6 months. I've forgotten a lot of it and I'm not studying it anymore.

What I want to do is get prepared and learn Japanese before I go there. Is it possible to learn enough to get me through in 4-5 months? If so, what do I need to do or are there any resources I can read to do so?

 

[Mike Cash]

Enough to get you through what? College? A three day vacation?

 

[ShannonR]

For a 12 day vacation. I want to learn fluently though.

 

[Half-n-Half]

When you say next April do you mean April 2012 or 2013? 5 months is nowhere near enough time to learn a language fluently. Part of fluency is being able to speak fluently, not just understand it fluently and you can only get there by actually speaking.

I'd recommend absorbing as much Japanese media as possible (radio, TV, newspapers, etc.) and study the Kanji, especially in context. Check out Tae Kim's website for grammar. Also, try and get a textbook like the Genki series, or any textbook that isn't afraid of Kanji.

 

[Mike Cash]

Achieving fluency between now and April is not likely to happen, but every little bit you do improve between now and then will certainly make your visit a more rewarding experience so I would certainly encourage you to work at it.

 

[ShannonR]

What I mean is I want to learn more before going in April 2012.

By fluency I mean when I return I want to work towards becoming more fluent.

 

[inv3stment]

What I mean is I want to learn more before going in April 2012.
By fluency I mean when I return I want to work towards becoming more fluent.

how long are you planning to stay in Japan for? Have you taken JLPT tests?

 

[ShannonR]

No I haven't, I am staying for 12 days.

I studied it for about 3 years, including mandatory study in year 7. I studied for 200 hours.

 

[inv3stment]

You can if you try hard enough.

 

[ShannonR]

I don't expect to be fluent after 5 months, but what I want is to one day be fluent. So that means continuing to learn after I return from Japan.

I just want to learn some more before I head over there.

 

[inv3stment]

May I know why you want to learn Japanese?

 

[ShannonR]

An extra talent or skill for life. Could help me get further in life and it's interesting.

 

[inv3stment]

awesome, you probably most likely going to have to continue after you come back. Do the JLPT in December every year. They are good way to test yourself.

Cheers.

 

[ShannonR]

I don't need any test, I just want to learn, learn, learn.

 

[inv3stment]

cool, have you thought about Chinese? I mean if want to learn a second language, Japanese may not be the best choice in this day and age.

 

[ShannonR]

I definitely want to learn Japanese.

 

[inv3stment]

cool, are you located in Sydney?

 

[ShannonR]

No I am not, I'm located in Central Western NSW.