Today I will show you the notebooks I have in learning Japanese Language (日本語). This is how I take down notes. Ways that helped me a lot in remembering kanji words and grammar structure. I hope you'll find this post helpful.
NOTEBOOK 1(My Personalized Kanji Dictionary)
This is one of my favorite notebooks, because this is where I've written all the Kanji words from N5 to N3 level. I often use this in memorizing the words and it becomes my very own personalized dictionary. You might be thinking that this is insane! Yes I know! (lol) It really took me a lot of time and patience in completing this. But I feel so fulfilled after I finished writing all of them. I did this during community quarantine/lockdown in our place. My major purpose in doing this is because I want to familiarize myself in the stroke orders of each Kanji characters. I find it more effective in memorizing new words whenever I write them. Also it served as my substitute from studying kanji characters when my eyes are tired from using gadgets. This is really a huge help for me in my studies. Also I feel more obligated to review this notebook because of the hardwork that I've put into it. It's a good motivation! (lol)
I want to show you how I study Japanese vocabulary. I've been studying Nihongo for almost 2 years now and so far, this is the best way I've found in learning new words. It's really effective to me since it helped me recall and use the words I've learned easily.
This is how I study new words. I learn them through context. I look for the definition of the word and write down sample sentences. At night, I will review my notes and create my own sentences.
I've already collected and written words from N5 to N3 level. To make my sentence mining easier, I categorized the words by their types on my notebook. Meaning, I've already determined if the words are い- adjective, な-adjective, noun or verb. This way, it would be easier to figure out how they are used in a sentence.
I think there will be change of plans with regards to my way of learning Japanese language. I figured that there's not much of Jdorama that fits to my taste at all, so with regards to immersion by listening I'll just stick with J-music and anime. This is only my preference though, I do really think that Jdorama isn't for me and that I should just stick with Kdramas.
This is actually a good choice because I'm gonna start learning Korean by next year January as I progress with my Japanese studies as well. I've seen a lot of polyglots who do the same and I want to experience learning two languages at a time too. By January, it'll be my 2nd year in learning Japanese language so I think that's already a good foundation that wouldn't confuse me if I ever learn another language.
So my conclusion is that leaving the drama part for Korean learning and entertainment purposes is a good choice because I really am into it. They say that if you really like something, it would help you get motivated to earn the thing that you wanted.😍
As for my Japanese, I'll continue memorizing and writing Kanji repeatedly, practice output in my journal, as well as watching anime and listening to Japanese music.
This October, I've decided that I'll fully immerse myself in Japanese. I have been studying vocabulary that's why I'm missing in action posting here in Japanese in the past months. I still have a long way to go, I'm not even finished with N3 vocabulary yet, so I'm not that confident to come back writing. I'll be focusing first on the input than the output. I know, I was very brave to actually write in Japanese before despite the lack of knowledge but I was just so excited to test it out. I'm actually happy about it, I'll maybe correct a few mistakes though. lol
Anyways, now I'm keeping a journal to write all the things I wanted in Japanese, somehow it's really effective since I'm able to correct myself along the way. It's really a good way to track your progress like this. Just to update you, I've been reading a lot of Japanese, understanding more the vocabulary that I've familiarized with. I seriously written the kanji words repeatedly in order for me to get used to them and their meanings, but I know I needed to understand them in context that's why I'm doing that. As I'm reading a lot lately, I realized that there's really no precise translation of Japanese context word for word. I think as long as you convey or understand the correct thought then that'll be fine.
I also watch japanese dramas and anime as well, that's why I got hooked up with The Millionaire Detective and Nakagawa Taishi. I met Nakagawa Taishi in my little lover drama and boy, he instantly became my fave! Followed him on instagram right after I finished that drama. Haha. I need to look for new anime and dramas to watch since I've finished these two that I've mentioned. If you have recommendations, then please leave it in the comment section.
Aside from reading, writing and watching, I also try to immerse myself back into japanese music again. I tried listening to Scandal band the other night and I feel so nostalgic! That was one great option for me to listen to, but my korean fandom is always pulling me back to them. So I've been looking for Japanese idol songs that somehow could keep up with my kpop sounds. And guess what!? I think I found what I'm looking for!
I found E-girls (Exile Girls)! Their music is really good! I haven't really researched about them thoroughly but their music just got into me that it's impossible to ignore them. I'm listening to them right now in youtube.
Lately I've been listening non stop to Kpop songs, it's not even the language that I'm studying. So I've decided to change my ways and found E-girls last night! I'm listening to them right now, I haven't played a kpop song yet. I think E-girls is really good that made me do such things.
To clarify though, of course I still love Kpop, Red Velvet especially. That still hasn't change. But since I'm trying mass immersion approach to learning japanese, then I need to listen to Jpop.
So far, here are my favorite songs from E-girls that you guys might want to listen to as well. I'm not done yet listening to their songs so this list of favorites may still change. 😊
Show Time
This was the first song I've listened to and I was surprised at how amazing it was. Somehow it reminded me of the coolness of a kpop idol, blackpink.
