Some tips for term 2

みなさん、こんにちは！

We just finished the first 2 days of the Second Term. Those who are taking Japanese for the first time, hopefully you guys got an idea how to study for Japanese from now on.

I just want to share some tips with you. That was the way I learned English and Japanese.

1) After going home, I used to check my notes to see what I learned during the day. If I had any questions, I used to write those on my notebook and ask my teachers on the following day. Don't be ashamed to ask questions!!!!!

2) This tip was a very time consuming one, but helped me a lot to improve my language skills. I used to have 2 notebooks. One to use in the classroom and another one that I left at home just for me to practice. Before quizzes and tests, I used to re-write everything I learned in my second notebook. Things like grammar, examples to use the grammar, Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji.

3) In order to become fluent and better in a foreing language, I believe you have to study everyday for at least 5 minutes. Say things out loud at home, practice Hiragana, katakana or Kanji using your flashcards (You can even look at them during your favorite show's commercial), write the objects of your room/house in Japanese and stick on it for you to read everyday, watch TV shows, drama or anime in Japanese online and listen to Japanese music. Any of those activities would work!!!!

Some websites you can use:
http://www.mysoju.com/
http://www.hikyaku.com/manga/mangag.html
http://hellojapan.wordpress.com/2008/03/29/nihongo-dekimasu-erin-ga-choosen-tv-course-download/
http://nihongo-dekimasu.blogspot.com/search/label/Nihongo%20Dekimasu
http://www.japanaradio.com/

4) Don't procrastinate!!! If you are learning a new Hiragana, Katakana or Kanji and you know you are going to have a quiz eventually, begin STUDYING now, don't leave to study everything one day before!!! REMEMBER you may have other assignments form your other classes and you'll not be able to study as much.

5) If you didn't do very well during first term, it doesn't mean you are not going to do well on the second term!!!!! NEVER, give up!!!!!

みなさん、がんばってください〔Everyone, hang in there!]