How I Learned Japanese Part 1: Books

[@ayanawilliams6844]

I recommend Mango Languages. A lot of libraries have this program and it is VERY effective. I needed something that was free since I'm too young to have a job yet, and luckily I saw a poster at my public library and I can use the whole program for free since I have a library card there. I'm currently learning Spanish (Latin America) and I love the way it's broken down and have culture and grammar notes without overloading your mind! Japanese is the next language I'm going to learn. And it is soo good to see other black women / just black people in GENERAL opening up to new thing and learning mew languages! You give me motivation to continue learning.

[@SonniUsaChan]

Ayana Williams Wow! I'm super impressed! I wish I would have been so committed to learning about other cultures and languages when I was your age! Keep learning as much as you can, you're a total inspiration to me :)

[@carmenroxanailie3074]

+Ayana Williams hi everyone ,if anyone else wants to discover learn to speak japanese try Nevolly Fast Japanese Nerd (do a search on google ) ? Ive heard some amazing things about it and my mate got amazing success with it.

[@michsando7231]

Great video! i think of always it's good learn others lenguage and i found a great tutor to learn japanese pdf books you can find Renkarter Japanese Tutor Report if search for google.

[@X3000Chan]

I gasped when you turned the kid's book page onto the page that didn't fold down and bent it!😯 Then you didn't notice and shut the whole book on the bent pages!😫 I hope you'll go back one day and try to salvage the poor bent page...😅

[@WelcomeToHorrorville]

KuroNeko lol

[@Tanuki_03]

Geniki! I remember those. There was a place called Iwase Books that used to be located by Lennox Mall but they moved up there by Kobe steaks. I used to go to get books books comics magazines and music when I was studying Japanese. Have you been there? If you're still looking for books when you get here, I'd suggest Book Off when you get to Japan. It's a popular used book chain with tons of cheap books and other things.

[@SonniUsaChan]

Tanuki1979 I've never even heard of Iwase Books! But they did have a Japanese bookstore down in Athens, GA. I use to hit it up all the time when I was in college. Book Off huh? Cool, I'll def look into it when I get there. Thanks :)

[@dekthaiklaibaan]

thank you so much for all these resources! I love the kids books idea haha haha I'll try that too! :)

[@SonniUsaChan]

+dekthaiklaibaan I'm glad you like it! Let me know if you find any good books too :)

[@SonniUsaChan]

+dekthaiklaibaan I'm glad you like it! Let me know if you find any good books too :)

[@AshleyKristineEsseya]

if you really want to remember kanji and other vocab easier you should use a space repetition system the science behind it is that it makes you recall things when your about to forget them which strengthens the memory. So if you learn something at first it will try to make you recall it in a few minutes, then a day, then a few days, weeks, months, and even years. Writing things down a lot works but takes a really long time whereas spaced repetition is a lot faster. Anki is probably the most used spaced repetition system out there.

[@SleepNGiant9]

Great video!! we need more open minded brothers and sisters

[@SonniUsaChan]

Afro sensei アフロ先生 I think so too! I hope we can grow and expand as a people in whatever field or interest anyone has. There's so much out there the world has to offer.

[@carmenroxanailie3074]

+SleepNGiant™ interesting points ,if anyone else needs to find out about fastest way to learn to speak japanese try Pycanta Simple Japanese Protocol (do a search on google ) ? Ive heard some awesome things about it and my neighbor got amazing success with it.

[@Arcturus_YT]

interesting points ,if anyone else wants to discover learn to speak japanese try Pycanta Simple Japanese Protocol (Have a quick look on google cant remember the place now ) ? Ive heard some great things about it and my mate got amazing success with it.

[@camerontakahashi7013]

How did you find the children's books on Amazon I have no clue what to search 😭

[@SonniUsaChan]

They were from individual seller on ebay, not any company so I'm sure you won't be able to find the same books. Sworry :(

[@LittleLulubee]

+Cameron Takahashi Just type "Japanese children's books" into Amazon. They have a bunch :)

[@sanusharma7506]

hey ,if anyone else wants to learn about how to learn to speak japanese try Nevolly Fast Japanese Nerd (just google it ) ? Ive heard some incredible things about it and my mate got cool success with it.

[@davidlinch2130]

the greatest success that ive had was by using the Japanese Magic Method (just google it) without a doubt the no.1 site I've tried tried.

[@graciellalee2477]

hi everyone ,if anyone else needs to find out about fastest way to learn to speak japanese try Jadonite Simple Japanese Buddy (should be on google have a look ) ? Ive heard some super things about it and my brother in law got amazing success with it.

[@PengyGoy]

That little canon computer thingy looks so cool! I'm going to get a few Haruki Marukami books I like in their Japanese versions so I'll have both English and Japanese to compare. Probably won't be exact but I think it will be helpful to see. This book I found "Breaking into Japanese Literature" seems perfect since I've heard a lot that just exposure and natural repetition through reading is the best way to learn. I think I'm going to try to find as much as I can that has official English translations paired with the Japanese until I can do the translation easily enough on my own. (aka with romajidesu.com lol) Would you mind telling me what that book is called that you showed around 4:28? That looks like it might be simple enough for me to at the very least compare the English and Japanese. :) Great video btw!!!

[@SonniUsaChan]

PengyGoy It's called "Old Man With The Lump" It's part of a 36 book series with CD's but I can't find the franchise on Google. It was just a quick buy on eBay that came in a small bundle. But I did find this story on Amazon for like $1.99 if you have a kindle. www.amazon.com/Lump-OTO-EHON-Japanese-Folk-Tales-ebook/dp/B00EC0Q5HQ/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1434420901&sr=8-2&keywords=old+man+with+the+lump

[@PengyGoy]

Wow thanks so much! This video really helped me with deciding what I should get started with. I just ordered myself the Genki textbook along with some Japanese reading material (including Doraemon :D). I'm really excited! Arigatou gozaimasu!!! (Thanks so much for the help) PS: When are you moving to Japan? It's going to be fun watching you start making videos about your experiences there!

[@SonniUsaChan]

PengyGoy Genki also has smaller workbooks with additional practice exercises. As well as Hiragana and Katakana workbooks. But yeah, let me know how your studies go. And I move to Japan in a couple weeks! I can't wait to start making videos once I get there :)

[@sugarkats21]

+PengyGoy this is arigatou gozaimasu in hiragana(essential to learn): ありがとうございます!

[@PengyGoy]

Kate Applegreen はい！どうも！

[@YB-PC-BYourself]

It is not easy to any language as a native. I am in my 3rd semester of Spanish at my college and I stutter terribly trying to pronounce everything correctly. I will be done with my 2yr degree here in Dec and transferring to The University of South Florida where they have Japanese classes. I will take them there over 2 yrs on the side till I finish my main degree. I wish they had a program that would help with sentence structure, as you progress it helps to correct your mistakes. Anyways you need to study also, and your in a great place to do so.

[@SonniUsaChan]

+Kenneth Blair Yep! I'm in the perfect place to learn Japanese right lol! And I'll be starting Japanese lessons at a language school next month. I think I'm going to like them! Best of luck with your language endeavors as well. Keep me up to date :)

[@doris9154]

What is the title and authour of the book on minute 3:16?

[@withbagel]

Where were you able to purchase the electronic translator?

[@Thegeometer-ep3sj]

I got some workbooks from my local book store that are good, but with writings in them. I literally have been spending the past 3 hours killing my hand while erasing all of it. I got them off pretty good, but a little bit of it is still on the pages. I wanted to ask if the studybooks would still be useful despite the writings?? I really hope they are still of use because I dedicated myself towards learning a second language, and I don't want to feel let down.

[@micimici1342]

There are several suggestions for how to learn Japanese Decide precisely why you wish to learn it Try to speak japanese everyday Decide which process works for you best. (I read about these and more from Fergs Magic Blueprint site )

[@SonniUsaChan]

ALL GOOD ADVICE! ❤️

[@thaisokubaro]

Hi! :) You said that you passed on JLPT N5, was it difficult? I'm planning to do it, but I'm a little bit scare. (Excuse my English, I'm from Brasil :P)

[@SonniUsaChan]

+Íntimo inesgotável It wasn't as difficult as I thought. Using the practice book was a huge help because knowing the structure of the test was half the battle. Practice while using it and you should do just fine :) Good Luck!

[@chigasaki06]

Did you study Japanese in college as a major, or did you take a few classes? It's great that you have some idea of the language prior to living in Japan. Picking up the language will come more naturally to you since you have the basics down.

[@SonniUsaChan]

+chigasaki06 Hey! Yeah I took a few classes in college. Some beginners and a few intermediates. I think I have a sound foundation of knowledge, but now it has just come down to practicing and using it :)

[@SkyandQuill]

What do people speak there the most? Which style should I learn, is hiragana the best?

[@jaykhatri4293]

From Where have u brought that doremon book

[@SketchingHands]

Man Imma break down and get that Rosetta Stone since it's on sale!

[@SonniUsaChan]

Sketching .Hands Give it a try...especially if it's on sale! Let me know if it's any good. I always wondered if it really worked.

[@c8Lorraine1]

Can't understand how you passed the JLPT ! Do you mean that reading Japanese books is difficult because it combines all 3 scripts ? I agree the Genki series of books are great to kick start learning, do you have a specific way of remembering all the script and grammar ?

[@SonniUsaChan]

+c8Lorraine1 Hmmmm.... I'm not sure what you're asking! I passed the JLPT because I studied some of the practice books and also knew elementary Japanese from when I studied in college using the Genki Series. Does that help?

[@LittleLulubee]

Does the electronic dictionary come with a pronunciation guide for the kanji, like furigana or romaji?

[@SonniUsaChan]

Naw! It didn't! But I mostly use apps on my cellphone now! If you're interested in which ones be sure to check out my Patreon! I'll be adding more info about how to learn Japanese there. 💕

[@saloomivideos]

quietly waiting for part 2 (have u heard of the michel thomas method? im 30 minutes in and I can already make basic Japanese sentences, you can always torrent it at thepiratebay if you don't want to pay (omg it rhymes)) good luck on your move, not sure if anyone told you this yet but a lot of Japanese people discriminate foreigners so I hope you find friends who look past the outside

[@SonniUsaChan]

saloomi2012 I'll def be uploading Part 2. I've been so busy getting ready for this move, I can't wait to get settled in and start making even more videos. I hope I'll be able to make friends as well! I'm pretty outgoing so it should be okay, I've already met a couple people and made a few friends to connect with once I get there.

[@chilastica]

Sonni UsaChan What type of electronic dictionary is it and where can I buy one? It looks really helpful!

[@SonniUsaChan]

2Nerdy4Cute It's a Canon model. I'll look up the exact version and reply again. But like I said, this model is mostly for Japanese people wanting to translate Japanese into English. It really wasn't that useful for someone like me who only knew English and was trying to learn Japanese. But I think it'll come in handy now that I'm actually going to Japan. But yeah, I'll def send you the model number when I get home :)

[@SonniUsaChan]

2Nerdy4Cute The Model is Canon Wordtank V300

[@chilastica]

Sonni UsaChan Thank you!

[@chilastica]

Sonni UsaChan I've looked online everywhere and I can't find it. Can you tell me the place you got yours?

[@SonniUsaChan]

2Nerdy4Cute I bought it from a private seller on Ebay. So I'm not sure if it's discontinued or something like that. I couldn't find anywhere either.

[@2321channel]

Which children's books do you have? I want to buy them off amazon but i couldn't quite manage to get the names Loved the video btw

[@SonniUsaChan]

I actually bought them as a bundle from a private seller on eBay . I think they were just someone's old books that they wanted to get rid of so I'm not sure you'll be able to find them on Amazon. But try eBay, I got this bundlre (about 15 books) for like $8.00. There may be some good deals!

[@zakiyyah8093]

Where did you get the translator device from?

[@SonniUsaChan]

I stumbled upon it on eBay I think! But honestly, I don't us it that much now that cellphones can do the same thing.

[@cortion8356]

thank you very useful

[@SonniUsaChan]

You're very WELCOME ❤️

[@sarina229]

No Rosetta Stone?

[@SonniUsaChan]

Sarina Clements No Ma'am! No Rosetta Stone. Too expensive and I haven't really heard good things about it.

[@MusicIsTheLife891999]

is it a good idea to learn Japanese from other books? for example genki and Japanese from zero if you heared about those books. what do you suggest, to stick with just one method or.... thank you!!

[@SonniUsaChan]

I think it's good in the beginning to learn the basics! But later you should break away from it to learn natural Japanese and how people in everyday life!

[@HirokoNihon]

I have a question, how many years are you planning to stay in Japan?

[@SonniUsaChan]

Hiroko Nihon! Hmmmm, I see myself there for at least 2 to 3 years initially.

[@cfaught99]

Where did you buy the genki books? I really want them

[@SonniUsaChan]

+Cam F I actually ordered them on Amazon. They were a little bit cheaper there than the Barnes and Nobles near my house. Great Books!

[@cfaught99]

+Sonni UsaChan I actually have another question 😁 did you get your manga in the us? And do they come in the Japanese language? Or just on the side?

[@SonniUsaChan]

+Cam F The manga was actually a gift so I'm not sure where I came from. It was hard to find manga only in Japanese back in the States unless you ordered it online. But of course all the manga here is in Japanese. It's rear to find any with English subs now.

[@Jamaicafunk]

Have you tried the Google translate app on iPhone? If so... what do you think about it? Would it be useful in a real world situation?

[@SonniUsaChan]

Jamaicafunk Hmmmm, I have an Android phone but I have used Google translate. Ummm.... I think it's ok, I'm sure someone could get by with it in a real world situation if they had to. But I think the translations are sometimes off or out of context (too literal). I use an app on my Galaxy called JED. I think it's way better, but I don't think it's available on iPhones. I also like this site: Jisho.org. I wish they would make an app!

[@Jamaicafunk]

Yea...I've noticed somethings were a little weird. But, when it works, it's pretty cool. You can take a picture of a sign, or a menu, and it shows you the translation. You can also have someone speak into it, and it'll play back the translation...as well as in reverse when you speak into it. It's promising. But not quite there yet.

[@SonniUsaChan]

Jamaicafunk Oh WOW! That does sound awesome! I've never used the app, but I think I might need to see if Androids have it now :)

[@Jamaicafunk]

Sonni UsaChan Maybe you can do a video on how you would use it. Im sure android has it...It's Google.

[@SonniUsaChan]

Jamaicafunk Hey! So yeah, I downloaded that Google Translate App you were telling me about. It's really cool!!! I like it a lot. Hey do you know anything about getting a cell phone in Japan? Can I use my Galaxy with a Japanese Carrier? I mean if you know.... :)

[@JordanVanRyn]

I always thought japanese is a cool language. I always use to watch anime with subtitles so I can understand how the language sounds out phoenetically

[@SonniUsaChan]

+Mary Helsing Same here! But if you really want to master the language... turn those subs off :)

[@JordanVanRyn]

Well I actually tried translating it with romanji so I can read it phonetically

[@nhungchau5987]

How can i buy book ? I can buy by website ?

[@SonniUsaChan]

Honestly, I bought most of these off of Amazon!

[@HarryPotter-my6gb]

Awesome stuff, awesome video! Thanks!

[@SonniUsaChan]

Harry Potter Awww, thanks a bunch! Glad you liked it :)

[@saratam7329]

not certain about the points made but if anyone else is searching for best way to lear japaese online try Grathaw Japanese Expert (do a search on google) ? i've heard some super things about it and my work buddy got amazing result with it

[@elusnuga]

You still cannot read kids’ books??? but it says “how I LEARNED Japanese” in the title... What the hell? I thought you were an advanced learner or something. Sorry but your title is misleading. You still have a long way to go before you can say that you have learned Japanese.

[@SonniUsaChan]

sipping my tea!