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Show HN: I'm making an open-source platform for learning Japanese

kanadojo.com

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Re: Show HN: I'm making an open-source platform for learning Japanese

#61

Post by fsflover »

3np wrote: post #3

Looks neat but wish it wasn't sending user data to Google Analytics of all places.

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Re: Show HN: I'm making an open-source platform for learning Japanese

#62

Post by tkgally »

marsavar wrote: post #55
coldblues wrote: post #15

Apps/platforms don't work for learning Japanese. You just need to memorize the hell out of the vocabulary, spend some time learning the grammar, and most importantly IMMERSE. Watch, read and listen to content in Japanese. https://learnjapanese.moe https://alljapanesealltheti.me/ (this used to be THE guide for learning)

People are reacting quite strongly to this answer, but it is unfortunately correct. OP has essentially created an application for memorising vocabulary, which is... fine, and it's an achievement to be celebrated. But no amount of flashcards will make you a competent language speaker. There is no substitute for immersion. What made it really click for me for me was reading. Lots and lots of it. My suggestion is to sta…

That matches my experience, too. I passed JLPT N1—then called 1-kyū—back in 1985 (!).

I did spend a lot of time memorizing vocabulary with flashcards, but I spent even more time on extensive reading—novels, newspapers, magazines, anything I was interested in, even if at first I understood little. The repeated exposure to vocabulary in real-world contexts really made a difference.

Re: Show HN: I'm making an open-source platform for learning Japanese

#63

Post by ntlk »

nodja wrote: post #29
linehedonist wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

And maybe talk to people in Japanese? And do some writing? Not just passive consumption.

This is actually NOT recommended for a beginner. Writing and speaking are effective at establishing long term memories, it's why we do it for other things, but a language learning beginner has no idea if what they're writing makes sense or if there's any subtle mistakes in how they're pronouncing words or how they're putting them together, etc. Language learning experts don't recommend you start speaking/writing unle…

Making mistakes and seeing exactly how you’re being misunderstood is the best thing for improving your speaking skills. There’s absolutely no reason to wait before speaking, as wanting to be understood provides incredible motivation to correct issues as you discover them.

Re: Show HN: I'm making an open-source platform for learning Japanese

#64

Post by ntlk »

coldblues wrote: post #15

Apps/platforms don't work for learning Japanese. You just need to memorize the hell out of the vocabulary, spend some time learning the grammar, and most importantly IMMERSE. Watch, read and listen to content in Japanese. https://learnjapanese.moe https://alljapanesealltheti.me/ (this used to be THE guide for learning)

Renshuu provides fantastic SRS based tools for memorizing the hell out of vocabulary, has a huge bank of grammar lessons and a variety of grammar quiz styles to bed in the knowledge through practical applications. There are multiple quiz styles that are more or less challenging, including typing out answers instead of multiple choice questions.

Using just Renshuu and Wanikani I learned enough Japanese to be able to engage with Japanese content and for it to be actually comprehensible.

In the past I tried learning through immersion only, made no progress, found it demotivating and gave up. You need a baseline of vocab and grammar, and I don’t think it matters much where exactly it’s coming from (apps, lessons, textbooks).

Re: Show HN: I'm making an open-source platform for learning Japanese

#66

Post by Koaisu »

Looks great and I thinks it’s a nice way to review vocab I learned some years ago now that I will be in Japan for vacation. Thanks!

However, it would be great if it was easier to select multiple vocabulary sets at once. Right now, I have to minimize many sets to get to let’s say set 20 and then select a maybe 20 to 25. That’s a lot of clicking here I would say. Maybe include a button that’s like select all sets of one level.

A second thing, I haven’t found is furigana or some pronunciation hint when doing the vocabulary test exercises. I know the meaning of the most of the words but it would be great to see also the pronunciation (maybe after clicking the right answer? Or as a tool tip). Or include a practicing mode for default word -> hiragana or something like that.

Otherwise, looks great I love the default font.

Re: Show HN: I'm making an open-source platform for learning Japanese

#67

Post by thrance »

coldblues wrote: post #15

Apps/platforms don't work for learning Japanese. You just need to memorize the hell out of the vocabulary, spend some time learning the grammar, and most importantly IMMERSE. Watch, read and listen to content in Japanese. https://learnjapanese.moe https://alljapanesealltheti.me/ (this used to be THE guide for learning)

I'd say that's how any language is best learned. What makes japanese special in that regard?

Re: Show HN: I'm making an open-source platform for learning Japanese

#68

Post by wccrawford »

TheDong wrote: post #27

Some constructive criticism: 1. For picking the kana answers, using the keyboard key is better than numbers. When you actually type an え, you type 'e', so it's a useful mapping to learn in terms of how IME works. 2. For vocabulary, there should be an option to turn off romaji in favor of kana only. No explanation needed I think 3. The vocab quiz, between kanji and just an english word, is an anti-pattern in my opinio…

Absolutely.

As a long-term Japanese user, I won't even consider a learning system for Japanese unless it has #2, and the other 3 are highly, highly desirable. So much so, that I can't imagine picking a system that doesn't understand why they're better, since so many other systems already exist that do.

Re: Show HN: I'm making an open-source platform for learning Japanese

#69

Post by raincole »

linehedonist wrote: post #25
coldblues wrote: post #15

Apps/platforms don't work for learning Japanese. You just need to memorize the hell out of the vocabulary, spend some time learning the grammar, and most importantly IMMERSE. Watch, read and listen to content in Japanese. https://learnjapanese.moe https://alljapanesealltheti.me/ (this used to be THE guide for learning)

And maybe talk to people in Japanese? And do some writing? Not just passive consumption.

If only there is a native speaker who is willing to correct your mistakes.

Output (writing and speaking) is a big beginner trap for language learners. If you can't afford a private tutor or moving to another country, my suggestion is just to skip it until you're able to understand daily conversation in the target language.

People are going to tell you making mistakes makes you improve. Which is true, if and only if you know what mistakes you made.

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