Postby macaron2012_498907 » March 9th, 2015 2:00 am
Hi, Scott
Firstly, why are you studying Japanese? What is your goal? Travel to Japan? Just want to exercise your brain?
If you tell yourself you are a "slow" learner, you are setting yourself up for failure. You have to tell yourself that you can do this. Set up very small goals that are achievable to build up your confidence. Toss the ginkgo biloba. They don't work. You need to learn memory tricks. The more you do these exercises the better you'll get.
Our brains can only process about 5-6 bits of information at a time. Break down your vocabulary list to about 3-4 words in a group to memorize. Group them in some logical manner, like father, mother, son, daughter. Or yesterday, today, tomorrow. The key to memorization is to make a mnemonic. You create your own personal story to help you remember. For example, Friday is kinyobi, the same kin as in the Golden Temple. So, you're Golden on Friday because you got through the week. Saturday is doyobi, the day to go "do" something. You get the picture?
Take everything in small steps. Just learn the meaning first and how to pronounce it in romanji. Once you feel comfortable with that learn the hiragana for that word. If it's too much for you, wait on the kanji. Don't try to learn everything about a new work at once.
Start with Absolute Beginner, Season 1. There is only one grammar point/lesson. Just do one lesson a week to start. Spend the reminder of the week in review. Set aside the same time every day to study. Perhaps, 30 mins before or after work. Avoid the Newbie lessons for now. Those lessons are very dense with information. It may be overwhelming for you. Do make flashcards to help you memorize. I print up the lesson notes and cut out the words to paste onto index cards. English on one side. The romanji and the hiragana on the other side.
You can make up post-it notes or flashcards of words for objects in your house and tape the cards onto the objects, like the table, chair, etc.
When you are doing something during the day, try to think how you would say that in Japanese. For example, I am going to the supermarket or I am eating breakfast, etc. Say your telephone number in Japanese. Say the day and date in Japanese each morning.
Learning a language takes a lot of practice and patience. Spending just 15-20 mins each day is very beneficial. Review, review. Don't try to learn too much at one time. Take baby steps. You will be successful. You just need some learning techniques.
