For the final week in this kanji, here are my learning totals: I managed to learn to read all of the kanji at a solid level, which I am very proud of. However, the kanji I can write still only amount to 96. (A reminder that this is out of 124).
The project as a whole, I feel has been very successful for my learning of kanji, for the simple fact that I actually learned some and that I set aside some time in which to do this. Being a student who normally does a minimal amount of study, this amounted to a big step forward to me, and has set up habits which I hope to continue into the future.
In terms of technology, I have a few different observations. As a learner of Japanese, I find it easier to memorise characters if I write them down multiple times while I am learning them. However, this is a technique more suited to pen and paper than to an application. Also, while the kanji learning apps out there are many and varied, most of them amount to little more than to 'stimulus, response, reinforcement' on an often-times predetermined set of kanji. It is imperative, therefore, that prospective users of this software choose an application that suits their preferences and needs. For my part, I found that the software, while useful for storing lists of kanji to learn, grew a little monotonous with continuous use, which is why I included my pen-and-paper approach into my challenge.
My engagement with the project, at times sporadic, could have admittedly been a little higher, as evidenced by my abandonment of my promised written passages. Though this is lamentable, it is also a symptom of my previous attitude to learning, which could be encompassed by the simple mantra of 'study for exams'.
Finally, I must acknowledge that the learning of kanji can only get easier, as I master more of the basic ones, and learn to differentiate the similar looking ones. And although this is an ongoing process, which will continue probably after I have finished university, I know that every kanji I cross off my 'to-learn' list brings me one step closer to being fully literate in Japanese.
Thursday 22 May 2014
Monday 19 May 2014
Learning Challenge Update
Though it's admittedly a week late, here are my learning challenge reflections for the week of 12/05.2014:
So, this week my progress slowed off a bit due to assessment. While I have been working on the issue stated about last week, I still mix up certain kanji from time to time. The only thing I can do, however, is to practice these kanji until I no longer need to do so; and until I find a better way, that is what I will be doing.
In terms of technology, I have found myself reverting to some of my old ways of studying; I will use the app to keep my kanji list, and while I am learning them I will write them many times over in my notebook. This physical act of actually writing the kanji not only serves to cement their form within my memory, but also teaches me the stroke order. Time and again I have found this to be an effective way to study, far from simply looking and attempting to remember.
It is worth noting here that writing kanji is useful only for the purposes of handwritten communication only, as computers can do the writing for you if you enter the word in a phonetic manner. While this does not diminish the importance of learning them, it is worthwhile remembering that there will be fewer opportunities to write them than to see them, which brings me straight to my next point.
Another learning initiative which I am putting into place is to do with the kanji I see in class. If I see one I know I cannot write, I will write it out with my finger, and remember its meaning. In that way my study is extended, to not only my personal study sessions, but to class time as well.
Finally, the raw data. In terms of learning, I have learnt 122 kanji, which means that in practical terms, I have learnt to read all of the kanji in my 124 kanji list, with a small margin for error. My writing has crawled its way up to 90 kanji, and though I am still not entirely pleased with this progress, I cannot deny that I am close to reaching my goal, setting myself up for many more years of Japanese study.
So, this week my progress slowed off a bit due to assessment. While I have been working on the issue stated about last week, I still mix up certain kanji from time to time. The only thing I can do, however, is to practice these kanji until I no longer need to do so; and until I find a better way, that is what I will be doing.
In terms of technology, I have found myself reverting to some of my old ways of studying; I will use the app to keep my kanji list, and while I am learning them I will write them many times over in my notebook. This physical act of actually writing the kanji not only serves to cement their form within my memory, but also teaches me the stroke order. Time and again I have found this to be an effective way to study, far from simply looking and attempting to remember.
It is worth noting here that writing kanji is useful only for the purposes of handwritten communication only, as computers can do the writing for you if you enter the word in a phonetic manner. While this does not diminish the importance of learning them, it is worthwhile remembering that there will be fewer opportunities to write them than to see them, which brings me straight to my next point.
Another learning initiative which I am putting into place is to do with the kanji I see in class. If I see one I know I cannot write, I will write it out with my finger, and remember its meaning. In that way my study is extended, to not only my personal study sessions, but to class time as well.
Finally, the raw data. In terms of learning, I have learnt 122 kanji, which means that in practical terms, I have learnt to read all of the kanji in my 124 kanji list, with a small margin for error. My writing has crawled its way up to 90 kanji, and though I am still not entirely pleased with this progress, I cannot deny that I am close to reaching my goal, setting myself up for many more years of Japanese study.
Saturday 17 May 2014
Progress Report: 5/05/2014
Well, apparently I didn't actually post this, so I'd better get up to speed.
My learning challenge has been full speed ahead, although my blog has been left a little by the wayside. I have been finding it advantageous to use my hour-long commute (via ferry) to study, which certainly helps with allocating time. Splitting up the kanji I have been learning also helps very much; seeing as the ones I use regularly do not need any study at all.
A bigger challenge, however, is the kanji which look similar to one another. For instance, the kanji shown below.
When there is a difference of a single stroke in a kanji, it becomes very easy to mix them up. In order to avoid this, I need to focus on these ones, and the differences between them. If I make a list to learn of just these types, perhaps I can get around this problem.
Now, in terms of learning, I have managed to learn to recognise 119 kanji, which is very close to my list of 124. This, however, is the easy bit. The more difficult part is in no way catching up to these totals, something which worries me greatly, and I find myself thinking that perhaps this kind of learning is best completed over a long period of time, to not only learn them but also solidify this knowledge so that it cannot be forgotten. Speculation aside, my totals for writing are 73. And while this is progress, I would have liked to see more progress. Perhaps in future weeks I will be able to report more success.
My learning challenge has been full speed ahead, although my blog has been left a little by the wayside. I have been finding it advantageous to use my hour-long commute (via ferry) to study, which certainly helps with allocating time. Splitting up the kanji I have been learning also helps very much; seeing as the ones I use regularly do not need any study at all.
A bigger challenge, however, is the kanji which look similar to one another. For instance, the kanji shown below.
Now, in terms of learning, I have managed to learn to recognise 119 kanji, which is very close to my list of 124. This, however, is the easy bit. The more difficult part is in no way catching up to these totals, something which worries me greatly, and I find myself thinking that perhaps this kind of learning is best completed over a long period of time, to not only learn them but also solidify this knowledge so that it cannot be forgotten. Speculation aside, my totals for writing are 73. And while this is progress, I would have liked to see more progress. Perhaps in future weeks I will be able to report more success.
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