Questions to gauge different styles of learning Japanese

[Speedy Japanese]

Hi everyone,

i know that here on the forum we have a wide variety of people who studied Japanese in a wide variety of ways, if you have time to share I'm interested in any input you have on the following questions:

1) How did you learn Japanese?

For example most of my learning took place talking to people and looking things up while I studied grammar patterns out of various text books. I started with verb conjugations and hit the grammar books hard whilst testing it out on people I was meeting. I would look up any new words I heard and endeavor to use them as I found a useful context.

2) What tools did you find most useful?

Naturally an electronic dictionary is going to be the go to for most learners was there any useful web resources, did you watch subtitled movies I'm curious what other tools are out there for different people. Does any one know of useful tools for teaching children. I'd love to teach mine when they come along.

3) This ones for any wonderful Japanese people that can add their perspective. When you hear people that are learning to speak Japanese what helps you understand them the most is it

A) Great pronunciation of Japanese sounds (their accent)
B) Good grammar syntax, correct use of particles

I'm not Japanese so I'm really curious to hear what insight you can give on any of the above. Are there some things that many Japanese learners do incorrectly that could be easily fixed?

I appreciate your time and any insight that you could add! I tutor some people on Basic Japanese (definitely not on the same level as some of the other speakers here ) and always looking for ways I can improve

 

[I Am A Baka]

1) How did you learn Japanese?

Well, I actually started learning Japanese through Youtube videos three years ago. From that point, I started to watch lot's of anime and broadened my vocabulary. But despite my vocab, I still knew nothing about hiragana, katakana or kanji. So I decided to take a class. I've been studying for almost one year now, but my vocabulary definitely helped with writing sentences. I've used a a large array of textbooks in class and we've just finished book one of "Ima by Sue Burnham."

I still find watching anime very useful for learning vocabulary ( of course I later search up the word, learn the kanji and the readings ). I watch a lot of anime whether it has subs or not. I just don't rely on it as a studying tool. I actually think the best way to learn is to talk out loud. Reading sentences or having conversations has really improved my Japanese as well. In terms of sentence structure and grammar, I learn most of that in class.

2) What tools did you find most useful?

Hmm... I'm not really sure to be honest. Anime helped with my pronunciation A LOT, but taking classes was the best possible choice.

3) This ones for any wonderful Japanese people that can add their - Not Japanese

 

[Andromedashun]

Reading, listening, vocabulary, grammar are all important. But the most important one is probably vocabulary. The more words you know, the more ''powerful'' your Japanese becomes.

If you want to improve listening and speaking, I think you should concentrate on colloquial language (games and anime are best bet).

If you want to improve reading, try to read books or blogs whenever you had a chance.

However, I think the most important thing above all is keeping your motivate.