Hello all,
Back in September, I finally managed to get started in Waseda’s Japanese Language Program for a semester! As exciting as it’s been to live in Japan, I feel like I’m noticing some dissonance in my learning style and the JLP’s structure, so I wanted to get some ideas on how I can navigate from here to get the best learning experience for the rest of the term.
For background, I have been self-studying JP for 3 years, with the first 2 consisting of rigorous flashcard usage, and the third mostly being natural exposure to the language through reading novels/manga, watching anime with JP subtitles, and using some N2 JLPT textbooks to introduce myself to more complex grammar structures. I can understand some difficult subject matter when read, and if I’m given time I can write some average-to-good sentences. I’ve practiced speaking to myself a lot, so I can convey ideas in speech a lot of the time, even if it isn’t completely correct. My weakest area is listening comprehension, but the more time I actively try to do things around Japan I’ve been gradually picking it up a bit more. And if anyone has been in the JLP before, for reference I tested into category 5, just barely falling short of 6.
On to the questions:
1. How can I better learn from my mistakes?
Since I was a self-study, I’ve built quite a few bad habits in my writing/speech style that I can’t quite break, and I’m having a hard time telling exactly what they are in addition. If I was still self-studying, I’d just keep increasing my input through more reading to help build a better sense of the language, but now that I have so many classes to keep up in I haven’t been doing much more than 2-3 hours of leisure reading/watching/listening per week.
Added to that, the teachers I have at Waseda tend to fall into two categories: the ones that get super nitpicky and correct sentences in front of the class, and the ones that don’t do any corrections. It’s pretty crushing knowing I won’t get high marks in my classes with the nitpicky teachers, but it’s so much harder to learn what I did wrong when I’m taking the heat in the middle of class or I get back papers with tons of red question marks and cross-outs that don’t describe anything/provide alternative vocab or grammar.
2. What are some good methods to balance language ego?
When I think ego I tend to think of it negatively, but I genuinely think it’s important to have a good balance of confidence and humility in building language skills. As mentioned before, it’s a little frustrating to be told I’m wrong when I think something is right, but if I keep expecting myself to be wrong I start to slip into a fear of applying more unique language patterns and I can find myself slipping back into only saying basic AはBです patterns, or worse yet messing up even that simple of a sentence.
Is it a better strategy to employ basic language usage in times where I’m under high-stress (such as timed writing or performing a speech), or should I always be trying to use new grammar/vocab choices no matter what? I’m sure this is a pretty broad question and comes down the the person, but I was curious if anyone has had to deal with such issues before.
3. How to handle skill disparity competently?
With being in such a high level of Japanese in the JLP, most of my peers have been with the school longer than I, meaning that there are set expectations in class that I have yet to adjust to. Primarily, the teachers often speak quite fast and expect students to work through content quickly, where there are times that I feel unable to keep up. The subject matter is also quite heavy, leading into deeper ideas like politics and philosophy. Given more time and rereads I find myself understanding, but not to the level of my peers, who I tend to struggle keeping conversations with once we go into breakout groups.
This kind of pressure has been forcing me into doubling my homework load, spending extra time reviewing the content of upcoming lectures just to make sure I understand everything correctly. One could say that’s good practice in itself, but I would much prefer putting that time into areas such as expanding my vocabulary pool or practicing more grammar so I can read through the content easier from the get-go.
TLDR: what would be the most effective ways of “faking it until I make it” in terms of matching the abilities of my peers?
Apologies for the long-winded nature of this post. Consider it some slight ranting from 5 weeks of struggle. Going from a 3.8 GPA at American college to 70% averages hasn’t been a good feeling, but I don’t want that to hold me back from getting the best results while I’m here for such a short time. Please give me advice!
1 comment
Maybe Waseda should have placed you in a lower level; I suppose it is too late to change that. So change your systems.
You should speak to a teacher or tutor regarding any writing corrections to understand what you are doing wrong. This is better than passive osmosis IMHO.
The best students at my language school regularly used the new grammar and vocabulary in class and with colleagues. It is tougher but helps cement learning. Try studying the grammar and vocabulary more deeply.
The head teacher at my language school said that beginning westerners should be memorizing a sample sentence for each grammar pattern. She said that Japanese is just so different that it is the best way to make the patterns natural. I didn’t quite memorize but came close; multiple times reading silently, aloud, writing; I also put one sample sentence for each pattern in a notebook to review from time to time.
How much time are you studying outside of class? Language school is really intense and we were up past midnight every single day.
Good luck.