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Question to Teacher: Kanji on first pages make no sense
Course 3 Lesson 1: Masumi and I (About This Lesson)

Melloch

Post Date: 2021-04-06 13:59:30

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2020 May 05

Questions: 4
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I finally received Books 3, 4 and 5.
When first looking at Lesson 1(kanji Basics), I couldnt understand anything.
I then watched the lesson videos which mention nothing about Lesson 1(Kanji basics); it just wont sink in all those readings and things. im really confused so how am i suposed to continue in the book?

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JFZ Teacher (Kanako)

Post Date: 2021-04-14 04:04:40

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2003 Mar 03

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Please read the following Q&As that are related to your question first.

1) https://www.yesjapan.com/YJ6/?page=question&var3=1047
2) https://www.yesjapan.com/YJ6/?page=question&var3=1298

Learning kanji is not easy. Some people memorize kanji quickly while others take a long time to memorize them. The important thing is to find a study method that works for you.

The following is one of the ways to learn kanji using our book.
It is just my idea, but it is worth to try :)

1) Go straight to the “New Kanji” section, look at each kanji and memorize the shape and the basic English meaning of the kanji.

It is also effective to make flash cards (kanji on the front and the English meaning on the back) for practice.

You can skip the KUN/ON readings and example words in the kanji boxes for now.

2) After practicing, go to “Kanji Activities (Stroke Order)” and practice writing. Try to memorize each stroke order.

3) “Words you can write”
At this point, you are familiar with the 6 kanji characters and you know how to write them. You also know what they mean in English.

Look at the words on the left (一つ、一じ、二こ, etc.) and learn how to read them. The English translation will help. You don’t need to know if it is くんよみ or おんよみ yet.

You can make flash cards (Kanji without furigana on the front and hiragana and English meaning on the back) and practice or simply cover up the furigana portion and read each word aloud.

Once you are able to read those words without furigana, move onto writing.

4) “Fill in the kanji” - Now it is test time!

5) Go back to the ”New Kanji” section and review.
Let’s see other example words as reference.

6) Move onto Lesson 1 “Masumi and Me” and learn new words and grammar. You will see the kanji characters that you have learned without furigana there. It is a good reading practice!

Ganbatte kudasai :)