I’m just about to ‘dial in’ for my weekly Japanese class. More in hope than certainty, I want to improve my spoken Japanese for future planned visits.
It’s a small class – just seven students – so it’s both intimate and impossible to avoid scrutiny! There’s weekly homework and a fresh download of materials from Google Classroom every Friday. I’m enjoying it, but have to admit that the two and a half hours of intense concentration on a Saturday morning is a little strenuous for a brain that’s been in overdrive all the working week.
Lockdown life means face-to-face learning isn’t possible, but I’m finding Zoom a really good substitute – but maybe only because it’s a small group situation.
Is it working? Yes. My confidence has grown, my vocabulary is expanding and I’m practicing for imaginary (but necessary) practical conversations for my next trip. I just need to convince some Tokyo-based friends to practice with me online. And to be gentle with me when I crash and burn on the grammar front.
It’s actually a very logical language, once you get your head around some the important cultural niceties. I can’t imagine how hard it must be for others to learn English and I’m continually grateful it’s my mother tongue. It’s a bizarre mishmash of grammar and vocabulary, never mind the inconsistencies of pronunciation. In contrast, Japanese pronunciation is largely very consistent.
Anyway, eyes down for some new vocabulary and discussion topics.
MacPsych on the move 
Cool. I’ve always liked the Japanese language and have considered learning it someday. But I also am interest in French. And language learning is no small commitment!
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It’s definitely a commitment, but I’ve found ‘little and often’ to be the best approach. Plus watching Japanese TV and listening to Japanese music – all helps get the sounds into my brain.
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