Goals for Japanese

[ShadowzKiller]

Greetings!

First off, I would to humbly thank all of JapanesePod101. This site is an excellent resource. I am also glad that the lessons are interesting and fun.

If possible, I would like some advice concerning my future goals with the Japanese language.

Background:
I am currently a college student at UNCC. I am currently enrolled in my third semester of Japanese language. I am currently in Intermediate I. I will be taking Intermediate II. I have also taken history and culture classes specifically on Japan and the rest of Asia. My majors are International Studies, History; I have also added Japanese minor. Fall of 2010, I plan to Study abroad at Oita University for a full year. Over there I will be completing my Minor and studying the Japanese language intensely. Of course, I am still waiting to see if I become accepted (which my professors think I will). However, I wish to prepare myself before I go there.

I have completely memorized Hiragana and Katakana. I currently know 300+ Kanji and about 150 Kanji combinations (words or phrases using one or more Kanji). In terms of grammar, I have covered many grammar topics in Japanese language. The last thing we covered was duty and decisions (ex: ikanakerebanarimasen and suru kotoni kimeru).

Goals and Questions:
Next spring I plan to teach myself 100 more Kanji in addition to the 100 that we will learn in class. What are some great methods to learn Kanji by myself? Over the summer I try to teach myself 100 or 200 more Kanji.

I also intend to take the JLPT 3. I will be getting assistance from my Japanese instructors; however, what additional resources do YOU guys have? Are there other sites that strictly focus on the JLPT?

Which lessons should I focus on listening to? There are so many to choose from.

Where can I find appropriate software to type in Japanese? I am aware how you actually do more typing than writing in Japan, so I wanted to practice in the US before I got to Japan.

I am also looking for YouTube videos that teach Japanese. Currently I have found several things such as this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBEHWcBpvEU Does anyone here know good videos to watch on YouTube? I also watch music videos, some game/comedy shows.

Thank you for reading this lengthy post.

どうも有難うございました.

[mieth]

I think you are on the right track. I would recommend listening to more sources that are completely in japanese but it seems like you have a plan for moving forward. That is the most important thing. Other than than you just need to spend as much time as you can learning. Good luck.

[louis89]

Next spring I plan to teach myself 100 more Kanji in addition to the 100 that we will learn in class. What are some great methods to learn Kanji by myself? Over the summer I try to teach myself 100 or 200 more Kanji.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remembering_the_kanji

I don't really know what I'd do without this book.

[loragoestojapan]

I am also looking for YouTube videos that teach Japanese. Currently I have found several things such as this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBEHWcBpvEU Does anyone here know good videos to watch on YouTube? I also watch music videos, some game/comedy shows.

I happened by here and followed your link to nihongo dekimasu. I found it very helpful and am wondering if there are other shows like this?

Sorry I can't help with your questions - I am still a beginner!

[tanitayou]

I found this information on this forum in a different thread, but I think it can help you.

The video of the link is part of a television japanese course "Erin ga choosen".You can find the episodes on this site
www.nihongo-dekimasu.blogspot.com

NHK aired many years ago an interesting course for beginners "YAN and japanese people".
First part is 26 lessons; the same for the second one.If you are a beginner it will be easier because explanations are in English.
The aim of the course is conversational Japanese.
I hope this can help you

[ShadowzKiller]

Thank you for much for the replies! Great help.

[untmdsprt]

Where can I find appropriate software to type in Japanese? I am aware how you actually do more typing than writing in Japan, so I wanted to practice in the US before I got to Japan.

Typing trainers or just putting your computer into a Japanese mode? Both Macs and PCs can be set up to type in Japanese, and any software can be used.

As for a typing trainer, I don't know of any.

[tanitayou]

HOW about these programs: NJ star Japanese Word Processor or NJ star Communicator?
You can download the trial version, test it and decide if it is helpful or not.

[ShadowzKiller]

Where can I find appropriate software to type in Japanese? I am aware how you actually do more typing than writing in Japan, so I wanted to practice in the US before I got to Japan.

Typing trainers or just putting your computer into a Japanese mode? Both Macs and PCs can be set up to type in Japanese, and any software can be used.

As for a typing trainer, I don't know of any.

To clarify, I was searching for programs that automatically convert romanji into Kanji/Hiragana/Katakana. I would like to type e-mails to my instructors in Japanese, but I lack the necessary software to do so. I have Asian characters enabled on my regional/language settings, so my computer can display any messages in Chinese/Japanese/Korean/etc.

I will check the programs that tanitayou-san mentioned.

[Yamanchu]

ShadowzKiller, for reading and learrning kanji, I use a book called 'Reading Japanese' by Eleanor Harz Jorden and Hamako Ito Chaplin. I've found it to be brilliant. Yes, it is an older book, but it's far better than anything I've seen. It's great for hiragana, katakana and the first 450 kanji. What I like the most, is that you are not just learning kanji, you are 'reading' real Japanese.