Language Rambles (Japanese, Dutch and Norwegian)
Posted: Sat Jun 30, 2018 12:24 pm
Hello,
I previously had an account on this forum but for the life of me I can't remember the log-in details, so I've had to create a new account. I feel this is a good thing as it coincides with me starting my language learning journey anew.
A brief introduction about me
I'm 25 and I currently reside in the UK with my Dutch boyfriend. I've been studying languages for a long time now. It all began with Japanese when I was roughly 11-12 years old. Over the years, I've tried my hand at various languages, but always stuck with Japanese. Recent developments such as meeting and going out with a Dutchman have made it so I can study Dutch guilt-free . I've always been a victim to wanderlust, so it's nice that I have 2 languages with solid reasons to study. Norwegian is purely a hobby language and because I've been hopelessly flirting with the Scandinavian languages for years now. I've finally decided on one. My reasons for studying it are, I love how it sounds and I'm fascinated by Scandinavia; especially Norse mythology.
Languages and levels
Japanese - I would put myself around B2. I've been stagnated at B2 for what seems like forever.
Dutch - Roughly A1, borderline A2. I can understand a lot more than I can read or speak.
Norwegian - A0/A1. Very lazily studying it, but enjoying the process.
Current study materials & methods
Japanese - native materials, mostly. I watch Netflix shows in Japanese (Terrace House and Ainori), some select anime in Japanese with Japanese subtitles, play Japanese games, watch Japanese youtubers, read Japanese books, converse with Japanese friends... the list goes on. I'm currently "living" in Japanese outside of family, work & friends.
Dutch - I'd say about 50% of my life is spent in Dutch, currently. I live with my boyfriend so I'm constantly exposed to it. I want to start using Teach Yourself Dutch again, as well as work through a Memrise course for vocabulary. I watch Dutch youtubers every now and then. I will be going to the Netherlands at the end of next month for a week where I'll challenge myself to use the language.
Norwegian - Duolingo and a very handy online course from the University of Oslo. I also am using Teach Yourself Norwegian now and then.
How I will track my progress & current goals
I will track my progress by posting here, but also with ☆. A coloured start like ★ means I have completed a unit, lesson or a certain goal. I'll use 3 colours to represent each language. These will be featured on my update posts!
Current goals:
Japanese
Japanese is hard to set goals for as I'm not really "studying". I am aiming for N2 but with work right now, it doesn't really leave much room for formal study. I guess for now, I will make some input and output goals.
INPUT
Fate/Apocrypha with Japanese subtitles - complete the series.
Terrace House Opening New Doors Season 2 - complete the series
OUTPUT
Send at least 3-4 messages daily to Japanese friends.
Write a paragraph in Japanese every time I update here.
Dutch
INPUT/STUDY
Watch at least one Youtube video every day.
Read for at least 15 minutes in Dutch every day.
Work on Teach Yourself Dutch.
OUTPUT
Practice with boyfriend every day.
Norwegian
INPUT / STUDY
Complete one lesson on Duolingo a day.
Keep up with the online course. 2 lessons a week.
OUTPUT
Try to write a sentence or two in Norwegian every day.
- x -
Phew. Well done if you made it this far.
I love the idea of language logs. I find them really motivating and it's always a delight to read about other people's progress. It's great to be here again!
UPDATE 22/08/2018 - Changed the title of the thread to more reflect what I do here
I previously had an account on this forum but for the life of me I can't remember the log-in details, so I've had to create a new account. I feel this is a good thing as it coincides with me starting my language learning journey anew.
A brief introduction about me
I'm 25 and I currently reside in the UK with my Dutch boyfriend. I've been studying languages for a long time now. It all began with Japanese when I was roughly 11-12 years old. Over the years, I've tried my hand at various languages, but always stuck with Japanese. Recent developments such as meeting and going out with a Dutchman have made it so I can study Dutch guilt-free . I've always been a victim to wanderlust, so it's nice that I have 2 languages with solid reasons to study. Norwegian is purely a hobby language and because I've been hopelessly flirting with the Scandinavian languages for years now. I've finally decided on one. My reasons for studying it are, I love how it sounds and I'm fascinated by Scandinavia; especially Norse mythology.
Languages and levels
Japanese - I would put myself around B2. I've been stagnated at B2 for what seems like forever.
Dutch - Roughly A1, borderline A2. I can understand a lot more than I can read or speak.
Norwegian - A0/A1. Very lazily studying it, but enjoying the process.
Current study materials & methods
Japanese - native materials, mostly. I watch Netflix shows in Japanese (Terrace House and Ainori), some select anime in Japanese with Japanese subtitles, play Japanese games, watch Japanese youtubers, read Japanese books, converse with Japanese friends... the list goes on. I'm currently "living" in Japanese outside of family, work & friends.
Dutch - I'd say about 50% of my life is spent in Dutch, currently. I live with my boyfriend so I'm constantly exposed to it. I want to start using Teach Yourself Dutch again, as well as work through a Memrise course for vocabulary. I watch Dutch youtubers every now and then. I will be going to the Netherlands at the end of next month for a week where I'll challenge myself to use the language.
Norwegian - Duolingo and a very handy online course from the University of Oslo. I also am using Teach Yourself Norwegian now and then.
How I will track my progress & current goals
I will track my progress by posting here, but also with ☆. A coloured start like ★ means I have completed a unit, lesson or a certain goal. I'll use 3 colours to represent each language. These will be featured on my update posts!
Current goals:
Japanese
Japanese is hard to set goals for as I'm not really "studying". I am aiming for N2 but with work right now, it doesn't really leave much room for formal study. I guess for now, I will make some input and output goals.
INPUT
Fate/Apocrypha with Japanese subtitles - complete the series.
Terrace House Opening New Doors Season 2 - complete the series
OUTPUT
Send at least 3-4 messages daily to Japanese friends.
Write a paragraph in Japanese every time I update here.
Dutch
INPUT/STUDY
Watch at least one Youtube video every day.
Read for at least 15 minutes in Dutch every day.
Work on Teach Yourself Dutch.
OUTPUT
Practice with boyfriend every day.
Norwegian
INPUT / STUDY
Complete one lesson on Duolingo a day.
Keep up with the online course. 2 lessons a week.
OUTPUT
Try to write a sentence or two in Norwegian every day.
- x -
Phew. Well done if you made it this far.
I love the idea of language logs. I find them really motivating and it's always a delight to read about other people's progress. It's great to be here again!
UPDATE 22/08/2018 - Changed the title of the thread to more reflect what I do here