Independent Japanese StudyBeginner) Tokyo Orientation 2013

Self-Introduction in Japanese (Jikoshokai)

Long version
Hajimemashite. Its nice to meet you.
(your name)
Watashi wa (your name) to
moushimasu.
My name is (your name).
(country or origin) (country or origin) kara kimashita. Im from (country or origin).


Nihon no ongaku to ge-mu
ni kyoumi ga arimasu.
Im interested in Japanese
music and games.
Douzo yoroshiku onegai shimasu. Please be kind to me.
Short version
Hajimemashite. Its nice to meet you.
(your name) Watashi wa (your name) desu. My name is (your name).
(country or origin) (country or origin) kara kimashita. Im from (country or origin).
Yoroshiku onegai shimasu. Please be kind to me.

*Please refer to the JET Programme Useful Information for JETS 2013-2014 booklet for another self-introduction,
for country names in Japanese, and for situation specific vocabulary and phrases.

Common Ways to Study
Improving your speaking/hearing ability
Attend community classes
Find a conversation partner
Practice ordering in Japanese at a restaurant
Have conversations with your colleagues
Watch Japanese television
Learning new words
Rote learning
Flash cards (see suggested apps)
Mnemonics

Studying grammar
Register to do the CLAIR Japanese language course
Get a textbook (see resources section)
Get your written work checked by native speakers (http://lang-8.com/)

Independent Japanese StudyBeginner) Tokyo Orientation 2013

Setting goals (examples)
Memorize all hiragana and katakana in the first month
Learn fifty kanji by December
Order food in a restaurant in Japanese at least once a week
Have a conversation every day with a colleague without using English
Attend a class where you need to speak Japanese within the first three months
Set your own goals
(Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant - Time-bound)

Goal
(example)
Why How Timescale
Memorize all
katakana in
the first
month
I want to lay down a foundation so
I can progress to learning kanji.
Learning all the katakana also
allows me to understand restaurant
menus.
I will learn 5 kana
a day, using spaced
repetition
flashcards.
I will learn all the kana in
20 days, and cement it
with review during the
rest of the month.

Short Term
Goal
Why How Timescale


Long Term
Goal
Why How Timescale

Independent Japanese StudyBeginner) Tokyo Orientation 2013

Resources
Textbooks
Genki I and Genki II by JapanTimes
Minna No Nihongo I and Minna No Nihongo II by 3A Corporation
The JET Programme Japanese Language Course (Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced) by CLAIR
Remembering the Kana and Remembering the Kanji by James Heisig
Japanese for Busy People by AJALT
Online resources (* - most recommended)
jisho.org : dictionary with kanji and sentence searches
*memrise.com : learn using mnemonics, materials are publically sourced
*ankisrs.net : flashcards with spaced repetition learning system
Recommended decks: romaji to kana (for beginners), Core 2000 and 6000 Vocabulary and
Sentences (for intermediate advanced), Japanese Onomatopoeia (for fun)
japaneseclass.jp : learn with an online community and point system
renshuu.org : contains vocabulary drills
lang-8.com : written work is edited by native speakers
www.textfugu.com : Japanese textbook produced by Tofugu.com
www.majorc.co.uk/NihongoGamer : website for finding good games to study Japanese with.
www.erin.ne.jp/en/ : lesson based learning website with TV shows and interactive elements.
Rikai-chan: Firefox/Chrome kanji look-up add-on.
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/rikaichan/
Phone Applications (* - most recommended) ( - costs)
Compatible with both Android and iPhone
*Google translate: good for quick in conversation searches, has draw and voice search functions
Memrise : website features in phone application form
Human Japanese : learning application
Wanikani : a Kanji learning system by Tofugu
Japanese 1 (JLPT N5) : covers hiragana, katakana, and basic grammar
Exclusively Android
*JED Japanese Dictionary : very comprehensive dictionary
*Ankidroid : Flashcards with spaced repetition learning system, phone app version of ankisrs.net
Cooori JED : dictionary
Exclusively iPhone
*imiwa? : dictionary
*Japanese : dictionary with flashcards and list feature built-in. (http://japaneseapp.com/)
*Midori : dictionary app with full kanji input, flashcards and list feature built-in.
(http://www.jitouch.com/midori/)
StickyStudy : good application for basic kanji
Independent Japanese StudyBeginner) Tokyo Orientation 2013

Useful phrases try to use them as soon as possible!
Test yourself (Standardized Exams See if youve reached your goals and look better on paper)
JLPT- Japanese Language Proficiency Test
Administered twice a year (July: register from Feb. to Apr., and December: register from mid Aug to Oct)
Prepare using: jlptbootcamp.com
J- Test
A test to objectively measure the Japanese language ability of non-native speakers (http://j-test.jp/)

Notes







Greetings Japanese Romaji
Good morning! ohayou gozaimasu!
Good afternoon! kon nichi wa!
Good evening! kon ban wa!

Asking Questions

What is this? kore wa nan desu ka?
Where is the (toilet)? () (toire) wa doko desu ka?
How much is it? ikura desu ka?
Do you speak English? eigo o hanasemasu ka?

Useful Phrases

Sorry gomen nasai.
Thank you. arigatou gozaimasu.
I dont understand. wakarimasen.
Im okay. daijoubu desu.
Im sorry. sumimasen