Your next goal is to become weak where you are strong. Learning is a long process with a lot of different directions and forks to go. Usually there is one constant in the learning process when it comes to larger subjects, such as a language, and that is being stronger in one area and weaker in another.
When I started learning Japanese grammar was a huge problem for me, but after some effort it became a strength. I really enjoyed that I knew the grammar I knew and the fact I knew it well. However, I quickly realized while I knew the grammar I wasn’t doing so hot with vocab.
So, after realizing my problem with vocab I spent extended time learning and working on vocab, and it soon became my strongest point. Fortunately I never forgot the grammar so the vocab just fell into place.
Shortly after the increase in vocab ability to my new strong suit I started trying to read Japanese more and more, only to realize yet again a new weak point. This time I was having a huge problem with kanji. After some hard work and effort kanji became my strong point with grammar and vocab becoming my weak points again.
By now you probably see a pattern. Notice a weak link strengthen it, notice a new one strengthen it, etc. Instead of continually trying to improve my strengths I was working at making my weaknesses my strengths so they were no longer a problem. This has created a snowball effect and while there are odd ups and downs and ebbs and flows of Japanese ability it helps you see your progress as you learn.
The key to it all is to try not to forget your strengths, but to bring your weaknesses up past your current strengths making your strengths your weakness. So as you move on in learning why don’t you give it a shot working more on your biggest weakness and turning that into your strength.
maja (1)
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A few quick questions:
When you work with Grammar and Vocabulary, what tools do you use?
What is your process when learning them?
Do you find that with the use of Katzumoto’s program that you’re still able to learn things besides kanji first?
Sorry it has taken me so long to get back to you.
For grammar it is a very traditional method lately and is working well. Am actually going to probably do a write up on it sometime soon. Basically just pull out a notebook and a textbook and start writing notes and sentences. Seems to be the best and most portable.
Vocabulary wise I use smart.fm. Lots of smart.fm.
As for AJATT. I tend to do his method plus my own. The sentence mining is good, but I hate trying to learn grammatical patterns with no idea how they work so i study grammar independently too. I feel the sentences are more useful for doing kanji readings and getting more used to kanji. its hard to write them a lot. lol.