I’m not sure if the methods were obvious so sorry if it is but sometimes I doubt my own methods. I’ve been trying out Viki and watching some few shows. I’ve been trying to watch them with japanese subtitles only. I can only understand around 20%-30% of the dialouge and while I could look up every word that I don’t know, it’s most likely going to take me forever and boring trying to look up words for a 22 min episode. I know I’m not supposed to understand them at first but at the same time I don’t want to spend too long learing the words and grammer and I want enjoy the show as well. Are there any good studying methods to suggest to me?
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My opinion shows will help your passive context understanding and listening skills. Do not tire yourself up by searching words. If you grew up watching cartoons you might remember there were many reruns. Same episode would air 3 times a day. Maybe try to see if rewatching helps your progress.
“I know I’m not supposed to understand them at first but at the same time I don’t want to spend too long learing the words and grammer and I want enjoy the show as well. Are there any good studying methods to suggest to me?”
It’s going to be hard on yourself if you go with this mindset. It’s going to take a long time, a very long time. If you want to enjoy content then just use English subtitles and try to actively pay attention to words more closely. English subtitles won’t help at all but it’s better to hold your interest than get bored.
20-30% is enough to follow the story if you enjoy what you’re watching. You don’t need to look up words the whole time if you’re watching something, just watch it and let the show be ambiguous in meaning. Over time it will improve if you keep up consistent immersion and just a little bit of active study.
You need both. Learning from input means you understand 80+% of the material.
You can and should keep watching shows or reading – keep a watch for repeated words or phrases and what you already know, but don’t expect things to magically click.
The big question is… what’s your currentl level?
Going by JLPT levels, N5 and N4 just aren’t going to cut it unless you’re familiar with an English version of whatever you’re watching. If there is no English version… then you’re going to have a LOT of difficulty.
About N3 is where you’ll at least understand SOME of a show, depending on the subject material of the show- it’s stuff you’ll encounter in daily life or normal conversation about everyday things, then you’ll be able to both learn and enjoy.
The reality is, for enhjoying the vast majority of shows while still getting in Japanese practice, you’re going to be to be close to N2. And so it goes back to the grind: find yourself a SRS system (doesn’t have to be Anki, mind you) and improve your vocab and grammar (and probably kanji too).
I’m an anime fan so I use anime but not necessarily to see the characters, but more so to try and recognize the words in the dialogue. One non-anime show I’ve enjoyed is Old Enough on Netflix. I still use English subs, but the big Japanese characters are a useful aid as well.
If I want to try combining reading the characters and what they say I find Japanese music videos to be the best. As an anime fan it obviously opened me up a lot to Japanese music. Some of the more official videos from the singers will have the Japanese characters in the music video AND no English. This might not be a sufficient way to learn for everyone but I know it has helped me!
find shows around your level. easier once you get to around n3.
if it’s hard to find shows, you can always listen/watch japanese teacher youtube/podcast.
if i am looking up too many words i might decide to watch something else.