Mastering Japanese-Lesson 7-Supplementary Methods

For this lesson, I wanted to briefly touch on some optional supplementary
methods you can utilize to enhance what you are already doing. These
are just other ideas you can apply in order to inject some variety into
your listening sessions. However, please keep in mind that under no
circumstances are these options to transplant or be considered substitutes
for the listening sessions. Remember, no matter what you do from here on
out, whether it is take another Japanese class or pursue another study
program, please remember that these listening sessions are the strong foundation upon which everything else will be built. And remember the following important principle: It's working even when it doesn't seem to be working. (whatever you
absorb consistently, will eventually become a part of you. No ifs, ands, ors
or buts about it.) Remember, its what you do on a daily basis CONSISTENTLY
that will form the whole of your life.

Oops! I've slipped into my preaching mode again. Before I go on and on
for about another 20 paragraphs, here are some interesting supplementary
methods that I have either individually and/or collectively dabbled in over
the past years.

********Studying the movie scripts of my favorite Japanese Films********

I used to be and still am a huge Akira Kurosawa fan. However, what
frustrated me more than anything were all of those parts that I couldn't
understand no matter how many times I rewinded and re-watched a
certain scene. Finally, one day I said the heck with it and went
out to the bookstore and purchased the original scripts of all of
my favorite Kurosawa films like The Seven Samurai and Yojimbo. I studied
the scripts just like we studied the conversations from our textbooks
and then watched each movie 10 times while reading along with
the script. After that, I threw away the scripts and then after letting a
couple of days pass (watching the same movie 10 times can get a
bit tedious), I watched the movies again. And LO AND BEHOLD,
I was able to understand all of the movie in the dialogue. I felt as
if I had suddenly acquired a Japanese pair of ears. My conversational
and listening ability exploded after that.

****************Shopping and conversation************************

Everytime I step outside the confines of my living quarters
and hit the town, no matter where I go or what I do, there
are always a multitude of opportunities to speak Japanese.
For example, while shopping, be proactive and ask questions
about whatever item you're interested in. I swear I've honestly
had up 20 to 30 minute conversations just doing this depending
on how crowded a certain place was. The important thing
is to make an effort to be outgoing. If you're lost, stop somewhere
and ask. If you see something in a shop you're interested in, stop in
and inquire about it. Restaurants are also ideal. I get to know my waiters
or waitresses really as I ask them about any special recommendations,
the history of the restaurant etcetera. Hair salons are great
for conversation too. I just love chatting it up about all kinds of
things while I get my haircut. Basically, the more you open up
to the country, the more it opens up to you and the more you
want to continue studying Japanese.

*******************Conversation Clubs********************************

These are groups with a good mix of both foreigners and Japanese
of all different ages and backgrounds. They are usually divided
appropriately into Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced level.
I went once and found it to be quite fun but eventually my Japanese
reached a level where I decided I would rather just converse freely with
native Japanese speakers only instead of feeling somewhat
handcuffed by the controlled environment. However, for beginners, I
think its a great opportunity to break the ice and practice the
fundamentals of self-_expression in Japanese.

Here's one ad I found in the classifieds of Metropolis magazine.
【Nihon Club International is a volunteer group to help foreign people
learn Japanese and make friends at Tokyo Volunteer Action Center,
1 min from Iidabashi stn. 19:00-21:00, every Thursday. Free of Charge.
nci_tokyo@yahoo.co.jp】

******************Language-exchange partners************************

This can actually be very effective if both you and your partner
are serious about exchanging languages. Basically, the following
two conditions must be met in order for a language exchange
to be successful:

a)
Both partners must be serious about learning his/her respective
foreign language (as opposed to using language exchange as a
guise to try and find a boyfriend and girlfriend.)

b)
Both partners should have a specific curriculum prepared that
details exactly what he/she respectively wants to study.

c)
Both partners must be committed to meeting regularly on a weekly basis.

Unfortunately, to be honest with you, my experience with language
exchanges is that they rarely last. Especially, if they are of mixed
gender (a male and a female). However, if you get two language
geeks (like me for instance) together (picture Bill Gates and Steve Allen
programming together), then I think there is a high chance that it
will succeed.

Actually, the Metropolis classifieds every week normally have a ton
of ads posted by those seeking a language exchange partner. I believe
that some of them are sincere and serious. However, beware of those
whose ultimate motives are shall we say not of the most holiest nature.

*********************Hire a private teacher***************************

To be honest with you, this is one of the best methods. And even
though I didn't mention it earlier, I actually hired a professional and
private Japanese teacher at 3000 yen an hour to help me get through
the Kurosawa movie scripts I was raving about earlier. Once the
element of paying hard cash on the barrel is involved, all of the BS
that you usually have to deal with in a language exchange is
thrown right out the window and an element of seriousness and intensity
normally not present in a casual free gathering comes into play.
When money is involved both the student and the teacher get really
serious.

***********************Television******************************

Out of all my Japanese friends, the ones who can speak English
the most naturally are all addicted to American TV and movies. I highly,
highly recommend this method for the following reasons:

1) It's free!
2) It's effortless. Just turn on the tube and space out.
3) It fulfils the absorption component of the "Absorption Principle"
first explained in Lesson One.

If you were to watch an hour of TV a day combined with the listening
sessions you're doing, your fluency would go right through the roof.
In the beginning, I think the trick is to pick a program that you would
be interested in even if you were to watch it in English.
　
*******************Bilingual Comic Books****************************

When you have some time, head over to the foreign section of
Kinokuniya bookstore in Shinjuku and check out the assortment
of bilingual comics they have. You might find something you're
really interested in. These juicy bilingual manga contain an
abundance of riches to be mined from their texts as at just a
glance you can learn how to say a variety of expressions in
real, living Japanese. Again, I think its important to choose
a manga that you are really interested in.

*************************Bible**************************************

You can never go wrong with G-d's word. I have a Japanese
version along with a professional MP3 download recording of
both the Old and New Testaments. As you become progressively
more fluent, I highly recommend that you get a hold of the same
tools and make savoring a bit of the Lord's word in Japanese a
daily delight for both linguistic and spiritual nourishment. Now
that's 一石二鳥（Killing two birds with one stone.).

==================================================================

The above methods or ideas presented here are just a sampling of
the myriad of ways you can add a little spice into your Japanese
study life. However, if I was to summarize all of the above into
one basic principle, it would basically be this:

"After developing basic fluency, do what you are naturally passionate
about in Japanese."

Hence, if you love PC games, play them in Japanese. If you're into
vampire lore, pick up some Dracula manga. No matter what your thing is,
try to find a way to do it in Japanese. Doing so will greatly accelerate the
learning process because it will be fueled by your passion.

In the next lesson we are going to look at how Japan's culture
and nationalism affect us as foreign learners of Japanese. Very
interesting stuff there. Stay tuned!