How is it like learning from WanKani while being in Japan?

I recently moved to Japan, it’s fun to read the Kanji on the billboards I’ve already learn. feeling proud :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

12 Likes

You learn a lot of rare/N1 kanji from place names, like the stations along your train line. I love taking new trains and learning new kanji as a result haha

8 Likes

That’s a nice suggestion, but it would be a long journey to N1.

2 Likes

I don’t think it is any different in terms of using WK. I believe that there is a huge benefit to being surrounded by Japanese (written and spoken) so you get total immersion. I use my time that I am waiting for something or on the bus or train to use all the advertising as reading exercises. Like today, I was in the waiting room at the hospital waiting for my wife so I had lots of signs and posters to read and some new words to look up. Granted, a lot of them are pretty specific to a hospital context, but it never hurts to expand your vocab. Also helps me better understand my wife when she talks about her visit and treatment with me later.

4 Likes

Not living in Japan I do the same… with the Chinese signs in the nearby shops. Results vary.

It also feels special when I’m able to read a Chinese sign with just my Japanese knowledge. I’m starting to get better at understanding how simplified characters work and how to convert them to the form I’m used to.

3 Likes

I was in Japan last month and it’s fun to read ads and signs. I feel like a kid again trying to sound out words. It’s jarring sometimes when the romanized name of train stops don’t match the hiragana though.

3 Likes