How to Learn Japanese: Don't Waste Your Life Being Illiterate!

[TINEXAUS]

I cannot wait to move to Japan! How difficult do you think it would be to be an Artist and photographer there?

[heythia]

Niggers are ruining japan. We should kill them

[TheSmoothCriminal]

You say you're not a motivational speaker but guess what....you are. どうもありがとう

[immortalmage13]

Good luck with your Japanese.



[Jeremiah2305]

There is no reason really to return back here. The economy isn't improving and life is enjoyable in Japan. You would have to come back to visit family though.

[anglekan]

@Jeremiah2305 Yes. Would you ever have thought during youre life in the states that you would admit that actually coming back to the U.S is worse than being in another country? I remember when I would hear people say that America is unique due to there people wanting to always return and stay. I guess things change.

[chrstilen5]

I'm waiting for my books to come.

Kana de Manga

and

Kanji de Manga

I will master it! muhahahahaha!

[HostileAngel]

no way! you totally are a motivational speaker!! That was awsome I'm totally gonna keep studying japanese! thank you!

[pandpinjapan]

Heyoooo Buddy! I don't know if you have figured this out yet, but there is a book called "Remembering the Kanji" that will drastically reduce the amount of time you spend studying kanji.

[ForsakenXColours]

It's pleasing to hear you talk about your motivation to learn the japanese language. Hopefully I'll be able to study in japan for about one year and it's important for me to learn the japanese language. I don't want to be one of those students who is just hanging out with the other international people. It's shocking how much time I wasted watching Family Guy :D!

Greetings from Germany, Ben

[michaelovan]

@ForsakenXColours Thanks a lot for watching, Ben. Are you a native German?

[ForsakenXColours]

@michaelovan Yes I am, why do you ask :)?

[michaelovan]

@ForsakenXColours your English is really good! I actually used to live in Germany as a tot, as well

[ForsakenXColours]

@michaelovan Thank you! I took an advanced course as I did my A levels. It's good to know a little English - I love to watch movies and TV series in their original language. And if its about education there are more information available in English than in German. As a matter of fact I'm learning Japanese with an American book named "Japanese for busy people". For me studying a new language in the context of another language is the best way to succeed in both of them.

[6996k09669]

dude watch anime on your computer... in japanese. im 17 years old and this is the first time i decided what i wanted to do and i want to BE AN ENGLISH TEACHER IN JAPAN!

[michaelovan]

@6996k09669 Glad to hear it! Turn on that anime, download some podcasts, and get going!

[McKcriminal]

What? McLovin?

[michaelovan]

@McKcriminal Who told you?

[mariascoffee]

thank you! and it totally made sense...

[michaelovan]

@mariascoffee No, thank YOU!

[03Terrestre]

@michaelovan When you come back to the U.S. you'll have to learn Spanish because Spanish is outgrowing English here in Estados Unidos. Saludos!

[adshap8]

All too true. After a year from taking this video how is your literacy?

[michaelovan]

@adshap8 Hey, sorry I missed out on this comment. My literacy has improved ten folds. Sometime I'll try to read a Japanese book on here or something.

[michaelovan]

@puritygirl1 the christian community accounts for 2% of the population of japan, but it's very easy to find them as there are churches in pretty much every major area. though i'm not a christian myself, i have a handful of christian friends whom i've met at random. so yes, it is totally possible to find them!

[D3R1CKZ]

A very motivational video. Thank you so much.

[michaelovan]

@D3R1CKZ you're very welcome. happy to be of assistance in your quest for motivation!

[jessi95605]

great video!! : )

[michaelovan]

@jessi95605 thank you!

[WithLove44]

i love ANTM =(.

[Paulissunshine]

Thank you so much for posting this. Japanese, and any language really, is really hard to learn. The motivation has to be there. I constantly find that my motivation is less than it should be for me to succeed, and little "seminars" like this really make me feel passionate and like it IS possible, and that I'm not retarded. So thank you! Hope all is well :)

[michaelovan]

@Paulissunshine all IS well, thank you very much. i hope your still motivated?

[Paulissunshine]

@michaelovan Nope I'm a failure.

[Ipanophis]

I'd suggest Henshall's "A Guide to Remembering Japanese Characters". It arranges kanji as they are learned in the grades in elementary school. I've had it for 2 years and I can recognize all the 1st and 2nd year kanji.

...I just realized that was ironical...

Anyways, good for you. I personally want to be much better BEFORE I get there.

[michaelovan]

@Ipanophis re: I personally want to be much better BEFORE I get there.

very interesting vantage point. just be sure to remember that when you're in japan, you'll be learning the language at an accelerated rate as you are surrounded by japanese people in every direction.

[SpyMisa]

this is why sleeping is a waste of time -_-

we spend half of our lives sleeping.. if only we didn't need sleep.. I try to sleep a minimum of 7 hours a day even on the weekends but it doesn't work most of the time >.<

[michaelovan]

@SpyMisa i definitely understand what you mean about sleeping. that said, never underestimate the power of sleeping a full 8 hours and then having enough energy to be twice as productive in you would on less sleep. but dammit, SLEEPING. if only we could skip it.

[mufaPufaDha]

there is this article which i think is pretty much related to this topic;

in summary: it tells that to get really good at any skill you need ap. 2000 to 10000 hours

just type "how to became good at any skill" in google, the site is called happybrainstorm

[michaelovan]

@mufaPufaDha hey, i'm pretty familiar with the idea. it's been around for a while, and i agree with it pretty solidly. i think it comes from this book called Outliers, by malcolm gladwell. i'll check out happybrainstorm though!

[mufaPufaDha]

i like the way youre thinking

[sir34sky]

Nice vid, I need these constant motivators, thanks.

[caliento012]

Thanks for replying. LA times and local news? I do sometimes.

I usually hang out with american friends and speak english.

And I do many things like surfing, snow boarding, and clubing with them. That helps me a lot. Anime with sub might be help,probably you already know though.

がんばってね！

[caliento012]

You said great things!

I'm learning english from South Park, american movie, anywhare I go (like CVS,ralphs,outletmalls,beach), and American friends. I think making good Japanese friends or girl friend is of course best way to learn Japanese. But like you said, also looking for something new and considering about your life motivate you. I'm a Japanese liveng in C.A.

I've heard that it's gd to watch "Sazae-san","Dorae-mon" for learnig Japanese.

Thanks.

[novajoke]

@caliento012

If you live in California, try not to make Japanese friends while you're there if you really want to learn English. I know some Japanese who lived in LA for years and years but can't speak lick of English because they only talk to Japanese friends. Do you watch local news?? That's a good way to learn English. Do you read newspaper? (SF Chronicle or LA times?). Good way to learn words, sentence structure and writing skills even though it's a newspaper.

[roynsky]

Haha great, I don't know if you finshed learning by now but I started 2 weeks ago. Im at the 126th kanji xD

[michaelovan]

@roynsky i'm well into sentences by now, and drinking with some japanese friends helps to reinforce that! keep it up!

[roynsky]

@michaelovan I'm not sure I think you did say you used RTK 1. How did you constantly memorize all those kanji. When I study more then I can, I forget a lot. Like when I tried to study 46 kanji in a day, I manged but today I had to spend the whole day reviewing because I didn't quite remember them. My daily goal is 20 a day. Although I wanted to be finished by the end of summer. Sadly that probably won't happen at 20 kanji a day. So do you have any tips on learning a lot of kanji in a day?

[michaelovan]

@roynsky i don't think i mentioned it, but RTK is definitely a great way to learn kanji. when i was learning them, i started at 100 a day, and then backed down to 50. in terms of learning - and remembering - each of the kanji you study, my suggestion is this: don't worry if you forget any! eventually, every kanji you review WILL stick, but they're not going to stick for a loooong time. honestly, many of the kanji you're learning aren't going to show up in mangas or sentences for a while.

[novajoke]

日本語　頑張って下さい！！

Tips for learning Kanji...... Do you use flash cards?? Good to carry around if you get bored.

Just stay in my country. Your country is not improving until 2012 so do your best in Japan.

Japan needs more like yourself instead of Clowns coming into my country and spreading crap about my country on Youtube.

[michaelovan]

@novajoke

i actually use SRS software on my iPod touch, are you familiar with it? that way whenever i get some free minutes i'm learning away on there.

agreed about US. i may be here longer than i anticipated. not that that's a bad thing.

where do you live in japan?

[novajoke]

@michaelovan

Not familiar with it but keep on learning!!

頑張って！

[greatestskater]

wow! you're right, im gna stop listening to you and other youtube videos and get on with my bloody work!

[wukongzero]

Good for you leaning Japanese! We are going to Japan in the summer for 2 weeks and I am trying to learn as much as I can in as short of time as possible.

[silivrenisil]

Those figures frighten me. I'll try to take it positively and use my energy more wisely (though I will continue to watch America's Next Top model)!

[michaelovan]

@silivrenisil And I will allow myself American Idol

[NathanTZ]

Just what I needed to hear, thanks man.

Snuggles says "Hi".

[michaelovan]

@NathanTZ Snuggles! How can I forget the best comic ever - "Moe, give me milk.... in a dirty glass!"

[godofcarnage1]

This is the truth and the life. And everyday people die in different ways. And there is not enough time. I have a fire in me and it has never burned out. I am inspired by creation and that's how I survive. I will not be stopped.

You are defined by what you create and one must have confidence to live through their art.

Michael - Bravo. I am aware of my magnificent obsessions and I am fufilled by every step of the dream. And yes, I will see the shore. And yes, I believe in you.

[happyinthedark]

You've shown me the light! I'm quitting my job and having fun from this point on!!!

Just kidding, silly. Keep your head straight, and focus on just you. Don't let others cloud your judgement. Do what you want, for you.