inquiry on learner types and podcast

[Yoshiko]

It has been hontou ni hisashiburi since I visited this forum. So, hi everybody!
I am currently studying Japanse at university and I take a course called 'Aspects of Japanese as a second language'. At the moment I am writing about podcast, so that's why I return to the place where I first started learning Japanese. (well, I listened to some intermediate podcasts in the meantime)
Now I would really be pleased if you guys could help me out with some questions. It is about different learner types and the way in which people use podcast. You can give me answers like: 1. A, 2. B, 3. D or if you think your answer is not there or you have additional information, type the number of the question and state your opinion. Also, if you think a question is ambiguous or no good in another way, tell me!

These are the questions:

as a starter:
How old are you?
What is your first language?

1. Would you describe yourself as a:
A. Visual learner (you feel you have to see a word before you can memorize it)
B. Aural learner (you’re good at remembering things by ear)
C. Kinaesthetic (things like miming or role-play work best for you)
D. I’ve no idea
E. I guess I’m a combination of…(fill in please)

2. Would you describe yourself as an:
A. Introvert person
B. Extravert person

3. When you learn a language, do you think about the method or tactics of learning itself?
A. Yes
B. No
C. sometimes

4. Are you anxious about producing oral Japanese?
A. Yes, when I’m in a classroom setting
B. Yes, because I am not able to express myself the way I want to / like an adult
C. No
D. Sometimes, in the occasion that… (please fill in)

5. How do you think about tests in general?
A. Tests make me work harder
B. Tests make me tense, it has a bad influence on my learning
C. Other, namely…

6. How do you use this podcast? (you can choose more than one answer)
A. I listen to it once, then go to the next
B. I listen to it more than once, then go to the next
C. I listen to it once or twice and afterwards make notes or vocab lists
D. I listen to it once or twice and then check the additional learning materials
E. I check the transcriptions / accompanying pdf before I listen to the podcast
F. I check the transcriptions / accompanying pdf while I listen to the podcast
G. After or while listening to the podcast I repeat words or sentences aloud
H. After or while listening to the podcast I write words or sentences down
I. I take formal lessons and I use podcast as additional listening/conversation practice
J. I try to use the things I learned in the podcast by talking to Japanese people
K. I try to use the things I learned in the podcast in another way (writing on the forum etc.)
L. etcetera…, please tell me your best strategies!


じゃ、よろしくお願いします

Aafke

[QuackingShoe]

23
English


1. A, I think. But I've always had a good ability to remember things people say aloud exactly as they said them, something I can't do with text, and I generally prefer having people explain complicated concepts orally.
2. Extravert with an introverted shell?
3. A. How could you not?
4. Yes, at any time, because despite my high comprehension level, I've never actually spoken it.
5. C. Tests are a waste of time, and measure your test-taking ability more than the subject they intend to test. I happen to be good at taking tests, but often acing subjects you don't actually know anything about doesn't give you much confidence in the mechanism.
6. A, G. I'm a free user, so I don't have any extra content, and I like my language acquisition to be hassle free so I don't go over the lessons with a fine-toothed comb or anything. Additionally, I only listen to Lower and Upper Intermediate lessons, because I'm more interested in listening to the hosts discussing the lesson in Japanese than what the lesson is actually about.

[KatH]

21
French

1.E. I'm a combination of A and B. Most of the time I'm a Visual learner, but if I hear something often enough, it'll stick.

2. A.

3. A

4. B.

5. B. If I learn something that I enjoy, just for fun, I remember my stuff. If I know I have to take tests at the end, I get nervous about doing good, and I end up forgetting everything! So I don't like tests. They do the opposite of what they're supposed to do in my case.

6. D, F, G, H,

[untmdsprt]

40s
English


1. Would you describe yourself as a:
A. Visual learner (you feel you have to see a word before you can memorize it)
C. Kinaesthetic (things like miming or role-play work best for you)


2. Would you describe yourself as an:
A. Introvert person


3. When you learn a language, do you think about the method or tactics of learning itself?
A. Yes


4. Are you anxious about producing oral Japanese?
B. Yes, because I am not able to express myself the way I want to / like an adult


5. How do you think about tests in general?
If they measure your progress and show you what you're weak in. Taking the JLPT level 3 test showed me I was very weak in listening.

6. How do you use this podcast? (you can choose more than one answer)
D. I listen to it once or twice and then check the additional learning materials
E. I check the transcriptions / accompanying pdf before I listen to the podcast
F. I check the transcriptions / accompanying pdf while I listen to the podcast
G. After or while listening to the podcast I repeat words or sentences aloud
H. After or while listening to the podcast I write words or sentences down
I. I take formal lessons and I use podcast as additional listening/conversation practice
J. I try to use the things I learned in the podcast by talking to Japanese people
K. I try to use the things I learned in the podcast in another way (writing on the forum etc.)

When I have time, I also use the learning center for their mock JLPT tests, and other test questions for each lesson.

[Javizy]

23
English

1. A
All three work to reinforce each other, but reading is my preference.

2. A
I don't think I'm really either extreme, but probably closer to the introvert side. I like plenty of "me" time, as well as a drink at the pub.

3. A

4. B
I don't want to sound like the gaijin who make me cringe under my desk, and I want to be able to communicate without so much conscious effort.

5. A
This is in general, but in Japanese terms, I study at my own pace and only use things like JLPT questions to test my comprehension.

6. L
I haven't done this for a while, but I used to listen to the podcast once through for listening comprehension, read the PDF to fill in the blanks, then listen again the day after, and review periodically when necessary. I repeat (shadow) almost all Japanese I hear in my head, unless it's during a conversation, or for pure entertainment.

[Belton]

4o's
English (have studied 4 other languages to various degrees, Irish would be a second language although now extremely rusty)

1. A.

2. A.

3. A.

4. C.
not any more. Still not great, nor adult-like, but doing it long enough to develop strategies and have some confidence.

5. C.
Depends what you mean by test.
Although I've taken JLPT, I'm long past the stage where exams have any meaning for me beyond a bit of a challenge and a way to focus study. Language skill is proved by doing it, or the skill is in having enough for your needs. A piece of paper or grades are meaningless.
Self testing, or producing work/ speech that someone will correct however is essential in order to learn.

6. B. I. J. K.

[Yoshiko]

Thanks for helping me out

Please take some minutes to state your opinion!

[Belton]

I've thought a bit about this recently, meaning to blog about it, after I saw this lecture. The lecturer was totally dismissive of web 2.0 learning.
I think on the face of it there's not much new in podcasts. It's not *that* different from a language tape or radio show.
Where it is new is the on demand aspect; the range of topics and levels on a site like jPod so you can customise your route if you want; or (what I find interesting and exciting) the contact through BBS like this and collaborative sites like iKnow (Smart.fm). Or the potential to join sites like mixi for real interaction or the ability to use technology like Skype for help and conversation with natives.
Nothing especially new, the technologies existed in some form before, but they are now much more available, accessible and affordable.
It's easier to be a self-learner than ever before. I think. I wonder why you'd need a physical location for a university level language course any more.

[Yoshiko]

Great! I've watched the lecture and what I find particularly interesting is when she talks about English and the web. (She cites from David Block, McCommunication: a problem in the frame for Second Language Acquisition')

In my first year at university I had my grammar and Japanese translation lessons in English, which was a coincidence, because it just happened to be the case that these teachers didn't speak dutch. The textbooks were also in English. Everybody is proficient enough to follow the lessons, but in particular cases I thought 'what's your problem?' And in other cases there was a single English translation that could have at least 3 meanings in Dutch.
At the moment my translation lessons are Japanese-Dutch and the teacher doesn't want to hear a single word English. Because there is no Japanese-Dutch dictionary available we translate from Japanese to English to Dutch. When it comes to translation, you have to be resourceful and in Dutch I just know much more words including kind of archaic ones which are very useful. Especially when it comes to grammar sometimes the students laugh at the teacher for using archaic language, but it really makes clear the meaning. Then afterwards you can make your translation a bit more fluent.

[Jessi]

That class that you are taking sounds really interesting
Here are my answers!

24
English

1. A

2. A

3. C

4. D. Sometimes, in the occasion that… the topic is one that I am not familiar with/not used to talking about

5. A

6. D
I also make them as well

[untmdsprt]

In my first year at university I had my grammar and Japanese translation lessons in English, which was a coincidence, because it just happened to be the case that these teachers didn't speak dutch. The textbooks were also in English. Everybody is proficient enough to follow the lessons, but in particular cases I thought 'what's your problem?' And in other cases there was a single English translation that could have at least 3 meanings in Dutch.
At the moment my translation lessons are Japanese-Dutch and the teacher doesn't want to hear a single word English. Because there is no Japanese-Dutch dictionary available we translate from Japanese to English to Dutch. When it comes to translation, you have to be resourceful and in Dutch I just know much more words including kind of archaic ones which are very useful. Especially when it comes to grammar sometimes the students laugh at the teacher for using archaic language, but it really makes clear the meaning. Then afterwards you can make your translation a bit more fluent.

I'm a bit confused here, were you taking a Japanese class, an English class or a Dutch class? Wasn't it a bit confusing to translate something twice or three times? Is there something on the net that would help with Japanese to Dutch?

[untmdsprt]

I've got a question to the others that have responded. What do you do to increase your weaknesses in learning a language? I'm very weak in listening, so I've been watching TV, and making a point of listening to my lessons first before I get out the PDF or books. My brain is getting a mental workout because I'll try to picture in my head what I'm listening to before actually seeing the written word. As for watching TV, I've been getting out my dictionary, and looking up words that I think I've heard them say.

I've also turned on the Japanese subtitles (closed captioning) when watching a show.

[ryowarrior18]

I'm 21.
My first language is English
Japanese is the only second language I've really put "effort" or have interest in learning.

# 1:

A mix between A and B. For the reading sections, I like to visualize the words, especially Kanji. For speaking, I practice with the podcasts on here, plus I listen to Japanese podcasts completely in Japanese. I also listen to Children's Stories that are completely in Japanese. The stories come with Japanese transcripts so I can translate it myself.

#2:

I'm a mix, leaning mostly toward introvert. I prefer to spend time with a small group of people, rather than hanging out with large groups of people whom I don't know. I prefer to stay home and do things I like than say, bar-hopping.

#3:

Yes. I did a lot of research before deciding to make Japanese a focus of mine. I do a lot of online snooping, gather everyone's opinions, and sort of form my own with what works for me. I wanted to be sure that I had a healthy mix of hearing practice, translation, Kanji, reading, and speaking. I also made sure to invest in things that would keep me "interested". Learning something from a dry text book can kill your interest faster than anything else.

#4:

No, not yet. I'm not in any situations that require me to be able to speak oral Japanese as of yet. I would like to make some Japanese friends this winter when I transfer to a university, and then I would like to start speaking the language with them.

#5:

Since I'm not taking a class for Japanese, I can't really much about this topic. If I did, I don't think they would bother me - tests are like every other test out there, and can be easily done with rote memorization of vocab and possibly some grammar.
I'm much more interested in how the language itself works, and I'm really interested in becoming proficient enough to hold my own in a conversation. I don't think tests help learning those aspects.

#6:

First I listen to the podcast multiple times, the second or third time while reading the notes that come with it.
I learn the new vocab, and then work out the grammar in the sentences.
I write down the new vocab, good example sentences, and examples for grammar.
I go online, update my flashcards with new vocab, sentence examples, and grammar stuff. This is when I practice saying items out loud, to get the flow of the language and new words. I practice pronouncing the new vocab.

So, B, C, D, F, G, H, K

One of the biggest things I do is engage in constant flashcards. This really, really helps with the visual aspects of the words, and I am looking for a good flashcard program that allows you to add audio as well.
I also use some other Japanese books and reference to those as well.

[Yoshiko]

I'm a bit confused here, were you taking a Japanese class, an English class or a Dutch class? Wasn't it a bit confusing to translate something twice or three times? Is there something on the net that would help with Japanese to Dutch?

I study Japanese at a Dutch university, and officially the language in which the classes are given is Dutch. However, some teachers don't speak Dutch, but English. The learning material is also in English or completely in Japanese. A Japanese-Dutch dictionary is not available, at least not one that would answer the needs of an intermediate or advanced learner in the year 2009. Actually, after having studied less than 2 years, a Japanese-Japanese dictionary is advised, which will only work if you use a wordtank, because you can 'jump' to the smaller Japanese-English dictionary... .
By 'translating' twice or three times', I don't mean making a whole text, but just words that I first translate with a dictionary from Japanese to English and then in my head to Dutch. I don't know if there are Japanese-Dutch dictionary's on the net, but they won't have enough entries, I'm afraid. Especially because our teacher tells us to consider all possible translations, not just the first or second one given.

[juliew]

How old are you?

23

What is your first language?

English is my first language, Spanish my second, so Japanese is my third


1. Would you describe yourself as a:
I'm a combo of visual and aural. I learn vocabulary visually, but grammar and stuff I learn if I listen to examples over and over, like in the podcasts.

2. Would you describe yourself as an:
Mmm, I guess I'm an introvert, I keep to myself most of the time

3. When you learn a language, do you think about the method or tactics of learning itself?
Sometimes- I think about what methods will help me learn best

4. Are you anxious about producing oral Japanese?
B. Yes, because I am not able to express myself the way I want to / like an adult
Absolutely. Speaking Japanese terrifies me, especially with Japanese people. I can understand a lot more than I can actually say.

5. How do you think about tests in general?
B. Tests make me tense- but sometimes they help me learn

6. How do you use this podcast? (you can choose more than one answer)
I listen to the podcast three times to get a complete understanding of the grammar, and make flash cards out of the vocab.