Confused about the order of Podcasts and sections

[laughinghyena21]

Hey everyone,

I have a quick question. I have been listening to the podcast from the newbiew section. I have noticed, I dunno if its me, but it seems that it may be out of order. For example, there will be podcasts that will talk about something new, and review something from the last one, but from what they reviewed, Ive never heard words that they went over. Like Podcasts "I like it and I dont like it. I was a little lost when they went over stuff from "I like it", and never heard some of the stuff they went over and before that one was Counting down the new year.

Also, I noticed that when I go into the Podcast Old files, and view them date wise, the numbers are all over the place.

I was wondering if anyone could explain it to me, because I want to learn Japanese and I want to do it right, and not get lost in the process.

Thanks Mina
Ja ne

[seanolan]

First, welcome!

Second, can't really speak about the Newbie lessons, since they were introduced after I started listening and I haven't listened to them yet, but I would suggest listening to them in order of lesson number, not by date. What I did was listen to Beginner Lessons in order. Occasionally I would listen to some Survival Phrases in order (maybe 2-3 Beginner, then a Survival Phrase) but mostly Beginner and Survival Phrases are not connected, so they can be listened to separately or concurrently as you like. Culture Class can be listened to in or out of order, and are just a lot of useful information about Japan; not so much about language, so you don't need to worry about when you listen to them. After the first 30-50 Beginner Lessons, you can start listening to the Beginner S2 lessons without any confusion - the basic concepts will mostly have been covered, so S2 won't surprise you with anything you haven't touched on before. You can start them earlier, of course, but I'm just giving my outsider's opinion here.

I would not start either intermediate until you are completely comfortable with the information in the Beginner Lessons. Then I'd check out the Lower Intermediate; see how you do with that. If you feel really confident after the available Lower Intermediate lessons, try Intermediate.

So, in short:

Beginner - in numerical order
Survival - in numerical order, in between Beginner lessons
Culture - any time, any order
Lower Intermediate - after finishing Beginner, in numerical order
Intermediate - after gaining confidence with Lower Intermediate

You can do the Newbie lessons first if you like, but honestly, I think the beginner lessons start at a basic enough level that you don't need any preparation for them.

Again, welcome! がんばってください！

Sean

[laughinghyena21]

Oh cool thanks Sean, that made things alot clearer for me. I use to know very basic Japanese when I was younger and when I first saw DBZ back in the days. When I frist saw that I was hooked. So ever since then Ive been trying to learn japanese but never had the chance to really dive in and get up into it as I do now.

Once again thank you very much.

How is Japan? I am planning to go there for school or to live there, in the meantime I am trying to get all of the information I can to do so. Knowing the right way to speak japanese is a start, once again doumo arigatou gozaimasu.

Ja ne

[seanolan]

Japan is an experience I would not trade for anything, and aside from some occasional loneliness and a vast craving for good cold cuts I'm enjoying it. I just recontracted for a third year working at the school I am currently stationed at, so I will be here until at least August 2008. Going to school here will be an excellent experience for you and I wish you luck with it!

Sean

[laughinghyena21]

Doumo Sean that means a lot to me.

I was curious what steps did you take to make that happen and for you to stay there as long as you have. I would like to go to school there and then seriously of staying there as well. I was curious is this even possible?

Once again Doumo

[seanolan]

I'm here with the JET programme, a teaching exchange program for college graduates, where we can act as Assistant Language (English) Teachers, or ALTs. I believe the website is www.jetprogramme.org if you want details.

Sean