Study Update, Week of April 26

So, because I found a more convenient and quick way to update my blog, I’ve decided to post a little bit more (as long as I have things to say). Writing a post like this is partially a study tool (as it’s a good chance to reflect on what has and hasn’t worked), and partially an easier way to share thoughts I find myself repeating to people when talking about my progress. I’ve also lately been talking or thinking more about my study habits, because my mom has decided to learn a language and I’m having a lot of fun talking about it with her. (Hi mom!)

New and Updated Study Aproaches

One key thing I’ve done is start to figure out what I need from a Japanese language podcast. Because of my eye strain problems, I can’t really be looking at transcripts for extended periods of time. So, at the moment I’m relying on graded podcasts that contain vocabulary that is defined during the course of the podcast. Additionally, graded podcasts make it a lot easier to get comprehensible input. Specifically, I’ve been listening to a lot of Japanese with Shun, because it’s graded for my textbook.

I’ve also been sort of going through the JapanesePod101 courses. I have yet to find the sweet spot of lessons that aren’t too advanced but also aren’t too easy. However, I generally appreciate the structure and format of the podcast and I like how everything I need for one walking session is in one episode. Even without having found sweet spot yet, I’ve noticed I generally do learn new things with each new episode I listen to.

I am trying to challenge myself a bit though! For now, when I find faster paced podcasts then placeholder, for the most part I’m just shadowing them. If I happen to understand more than expected, that’s a welcome bonus. I’ve found that the key to this is trying to find podcasts that have topics that I’m already familiar with. For example, Nihongo Picnic had an episode on Animal Crossing, which is a game that I played a lot in English and am very familiar with. It was just barely at my level, and I was able to fill in a lot of technical gaps with context. (I’ve been told just understanding the gist of what’s being said is an important skill itself, and that trying to know everything can be a barrier to learn more. So, being OK with not knowing everything is also a skill I am working on.)

I’ve also found out that repeating podcasts is good for in-context spaced repetition. It’s also been very beneficial to listen to grammar that I don’t really use naturally (because the only time I really use Japanese right now is during tutoring sessions). Also, it’s a little less stressful to listen to something you’ve already listened to. Working with something completely new definitely has a higher mental burden, and because I am usually listening to podcasts during walking breaks at work, sometimes I need something more familiar than not to match my energy levels and what I can absorb at that time.

I’ve noticed a lot of improvement in my listening skills this week alone. I recognized a lot more in a podcast that I thought would be more of a stretch, and that was very rewarding. I did have to slow down a little bit to shadow it mostly accurately, but I only had to slow it down to 0.9 speed. For how far I thought I would’ve gotten, I definitely consider that a personal accomplishment.

Adjustments for Next Week

As for this next week, I’m planning on continuing to listen to podcasts. For the most part I’m not going to do too much differently, but I am going to be picky about which individual episodes and which topics I listen to. Partially so I can understand more from context, but also so that I remain interested in keeping going.

One thing I really need to do is make time for textbook-related homework for my tutor. Historically I’ve been a little bit bad at that because I find the shiny supplemental resource can be a little more exciting. But in order to keep progressing in my textbook (and adding more grammar points to my general awareness), I need to do the homework. Ideally I get a head in the homework and I do everything except for pair exercises. But for now, I think what I’m doing (as long as I do more homework) is sustainable.

Speaking of the textbook, I do think that I will be starting to shadow the textbook dialogues more to keep practicing points that I’ve forgotten or am weak in. And, I’m going to be trying to shadow the “extra sentences” videos that I get with my Tokini Andy membership, because I’m able to download the audio and put it into WorkAudioBook (which allows me to keep segments on repeat and really drill into one item as needed).

It’s been a shockingly productive week. I hope I’m able to continue the momentum. When I have more to say I will post again. But until then, thank you for reading.

TL;DR: I’m listening to more podcasts. I think it’s working out, and will be listening to more next week.