Attempting Read-a-thon Even Though I Can't Read

Japanese Language Reading
1

I hear there is an seasonal 24 hour WaniKani Read-A-Thon…:face_with_raised_eyebrow:

Only problem is, I can’t truly read unless it’s something super easy, and I haven’t been enjoying my level-appropriate resources as of late, which, for reference in case you’re in the same boat as me, is about N4 level vocab with N5 level reading ability.

Howwweverrr.

This whole read a thon (got too lazy to capitalize and such) thing sounds like fun. And I want to participate in my own way, even though I can’t add to our community page count quite yet.

So! I have a method that I just discovered has helped me, and I’m posting it here in case it can help you, too!

I started listening to YuYu’s Japanese Podcast on Spotify recently and noticed it had subtitles. As he’s talking, the kanji/hiragana/katakana he is speaking at that moment gets highlighted, and I follow along. Even when I don’t know the kanji, I might know the word, and then I start to associate them together more and more. Now, when I see those kanji, even when I haven’t learned it on WaniKani yet, I can recognize it much easier. I found it’s way easier than reading TV subtitles, too, because of the highlighting. Plus it’s a little less chaotic since only one person is speaking. I’ve seen other podcasts do it too, but I do recommend YuYu’s, they’re great if you haven’t given them a listen yet!

That is how I will be practicing my reading this season for read a thon. Plus, I’ll be trying to read some more articles and maybe find some better resources. If you also can’t read a lot, let’s do it together!! がんばりましょう!!

So. This read a thon, I give you many good luck wishes and support with all your reading goals! I hope next season, I can participate more directly, too!:heart:

2

great solution!! see you at the next readathon!!! :glowing_star:

you might be interested in Satori Reader, they have a bunch of YuYu’s episodes made especially for that platform, and you get the benefit of human made transcripts where you can click on words to see definitions, get phrase level help, and even connect the kanji /furigana settings to your WK level. (Plus many other levels of stories written for that platform)

It’s really fun! Ask here if you have questions, a lot of people at WK like it:

3

Yeah, Satori Reader is great for getting into reading!
Some other great resources for beginner readers are

and

4

Thank you so much, I will definitely be checking that out today!:smiling_face:

5

Wow! Thank you so much for the recommendations!! Those illustrated stories look so cool! I’m so excited to start using these! :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes: