I see references to the benefits of writing out sentences as you learn them via SRS.
For example, the Arguelles scriptorium approach or suggestions like this:
I’m a beginner, have learnt to read and write hiragana/katakana and am moving into SRS sentence / vocabulary decks and working through Genki 1 at the same time (including decks using Genki vocab).
Thoughts on how/when to handwrite sentences/words during the learning process?
2 comments
Literally anything you do extra can only help. There is no wrong way to do things, just less optimal for time spent. I can only see writing out as you’re learning training a different part of your brain. I know it’s that way for me, writing something is uniquely different from reading something. Most importantly make sure you do things that are enjoyable or fun for you, motivation will drop if you treat it like work. As far as method, just pick up a pencil and write–slowly. If it takes you 30 minutes for a a simple sentence then go at that pace.
Try this: first differentiate between learning a card/sentence, reviewing a card/sentence, and missing a card/sentence. There’s also a difference between a kanji, vocabulary, grammar, and mined card. In addition, realize what is useful will change as your vocabulary increases.
Vocabulary card w/ example sentence: Write out the word and sentence once when learning. Write out the word when reviewing and if you miss. Later, just write out the word when you miss.
Kanji: Write out the kanji when learning and reviewing and when you miss. Later, you can write out in your head reviewing and by hand when you miss.
Grammar: Write out sentence when learning. Reviewing and if you miss, it’s more about learning the grammar part but you could treat the grammar phrase/portion like vocabulary.
Sentence mining: Treat like grammar, but if you miss due to a word, you can write out the word.
This covers your first 2000 words/sentences as by that point the writing likely feels like more effort than reward as your muscle memory is up to speed. Still, may be a good idea to write down when you miss to make sure you take in the correct information once more.
Don’t make the mistake I did following Khatzumoto’s advice of writing out the entire sentence each time. Also, pick one thing in the sentence that’s the focus (usually vocabulary, but can be grammar or a phrase) that’s the fail point and make it bold or have it put in front of the sentence as it’s own word. The rest is supplementary.