The Japanese Learner
By Enrico Bianco
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Podcast Description
A podcast about learning Japanese, created by Japanese learners, for Japanese learners. We discuss study tips and tricks, books and other materials, Japanese courses, long-term memorization strategies, and other topics related to the study of Japanese and all things Japan.
| Name | Description | Released | Price | ||
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1 |
TJL News – May 17, 2009 | In this podcast news segment, I reiterate some of the announcements that I've made on the blog regarding Kimberly Fraser's upcoming posts and the podcasting panel at Anime North 2009. I apologize for the lack of new episodes. At this time, I am putting all of my energy and effort into finding new employment, which has left me little time for producing episodes. I can't make any promises as to when we'll be back but I hope that it will be very soon. If you're going to Anime North next weekend, drop by our panel and say hi! | 5/17/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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2 |
Episode 6 – Words, Words, Words | In this episode, we talk about how to start learning and retaining Japanese vocabulary. Vocabulary is a crucial part of any language learning process. It gives you the "what" to say where grammar is the "how." Acquiring a full vocabulary in another language is a long journey, but one which can be very rewarding. Cast: Enrico Bianco, Kimberly Fraser, Mary Kita, Mike Oetlinger Related links: http://ichi2.net/anki (Anki, the spaced-repetition review software) http://smart.fm/ (Formerly known as "iKnow". Combines study and review with social networking aspects.) http://www.kantango.com/ (Create lists of vocabulary words that can be turned into flash cards and written quizzes) http://buna.yorku.ca/japanese/voc.html (From York University's Japanese language programme; vocabulary lists broken down into categories) | 3/25/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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3 |
Episode 5 – Getting Started with Kanji | In this episode, we discuss how to start learning and mastering the most complicated part of the Japanese writing system, the kanji. The kanji are the characters that were integrated into the Japanese language from Chinese. Over time, these characters have diverged slightly from their Chinese counterparts and are now a separate entity unto themselves and are a crucial part of mastering Japanese reading and writing. Cast: Enrico Bianco, Jonathan Gardiner, Mike Oetlinger Related links: http://www.kantango.com/ (Kantango, mentioned by Enrico) http://wakan.manga.cz/ (Wakan, mentioned by Mike) http://www.yookoso.com/pages/kanji.php?file=display&grade=KOTD&date=1 (Yookoso! Kanji-a-Day, includes RSS feeds!) http://ichi2.net/anki/ (Anki, the free and open source spaced repetition system) Related books: Kanji & Kana, Hadamitzky and Spahn, Tuttle Language Library The Kodansha Kanji Learner's Dictionary, Halpern, Kodansha International | 2/28/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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4 |
Special Episode 1 – Enrico’s Back | In our first special episode, the cast from episode 4 (with Michael sitting in for Kimberly) welcomes Enrico back from his trip to Japan. Enrico tells tales of his trip and answers some interesting questions. Also, we comtemplate the idea of opening an Anne of Green Gables themed Tim Horton's and ponder the Japanese legal system and prisons. Errata: I didn't stay at the Asakusa Plaza Hotel. I wish I could have afforded such a ritzy hotel. I stayed at the Asakusa Central Hotel. Cast: Enrico Bianco, Mary Kita, Julia Shen, Michael Amygdalidis Related links: http://www.japantravelinfo.com/ (Yokoso Japan, official Japan tourism site) http://www.sakura-hostel.co.jp/ (Sakura Hostel, Asakusa, Japan) http://www.rentafonejapan.com/ (Rentafone Japan, where I rented my cell phone) http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=6523 (Japan Probe on the foreigner swimming in the Imperial Palace moat) http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=6595 (Japan Probe on small hotels and inns rejecting foreigners) This episode has been a long time coming but it is finally here! Episode 5 coming as soon as I can get it edited. Once again, if you live in the Greater Toronto Area and would like to be on the show, please do send me an e-mail. | 1/19/09 | Free | View In iTunes |
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5 |
Episode 4 – Free Talk, Sept. 5/08 | Greetings from Asakusa! =D This is the first "Free Talk" episode. The concept? Get the guest speakers together, put a topic related to Japan and/or the Japanese language on the table, and let the conversation flow! In this episode, I fish for travel advice from the rest of the cast as I plan my long-awaited trip to Japan. Cast: Enrico Bianco, Kimberly Fraser, Mary Kita, Julia Shen Related links: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ (the website of the Lonely Planet series) http://travel.rakuten.co.jp/en/ (try reserving hotels through this site! Some good deals to be had here) http://www.japanrailpass.net/ (information on the Japan Rail Pass) | 9/19/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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6 |
Episode 3 – Getting Conversational | In this episode, we talk about how to start speaking Japanese, how to practice, and how to keep on improving. Cast: Enrico Bianco, Kimberly Fraser, Anton Khan, Mike Oetlinger Related links: http://buna.arts.yorku.ca/japanese/ (Japanese Studies at York University, including free course materials) http://www.language-exchanges.org/ (The Mixxer: language exchange via Skype) http://lang-8.com/ (Language exchange - get your writing corrected and help others with theirs) I say ling-8 in the episode but the site is actually called lang-8. Sorry about that. | 9/13/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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7 |
Episode 2 – Tackling the Kana | In this episode, we talk about how to start learning and mastering the two syllabic alphabets of Japanese, hiragana and katakana. Cast: Enrico Bianco, Kimberly Fraser, Mary Kita, Mike Oetlinger Related links: http://www.realkana.com/ (online site for practicing kana) http://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp/Download.htm (many learning materials to download for beginners) http://lrnj.com/ (the Japanese-learning RPG I mention in the episode) http://www.joyo96.org/PM.html (the practice paper maker I mention in the episode) Related books: Kanji & Kana, Hadamitzky and Spahn, Tuttle Language Library Let's Learn Hiragana, Yasuko Kosaka Mitamura, Kodansha Let's Learn Katakana, Yasuko Kosaka Mitamura, Kodansha I actually had no clue what a Magna Doodle is. Now I know. Thanks, Mike. =D | 8/22/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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8 |
Episode 1 – So You Want to Learn Japanese? | This is the first official episode of the podcast. In this episode, we discuss the things you may want to know if you’re considering taking the plunge and starting your own journey to learn Japanese. Plus, we give some tips and tricks on how to get started, even on a tight budget. Cast: Enrico Bianco, Kimberly Fraser, Jonathan Gardiner, Mary Kita Related links: http://ichi2.net/anki/ (Anki, the SRS flashcard program mentioned in the episode) http://xorsyst.com/japan/watch-japanese-tv-online/ (Streaming Japanese TV) I'd like to take a moment in this post to credit Michael for his absolutely awesome editing work. He was like some sort of audio ninja, assassinating umm's and ahh's (among other issues) throughout the entire ~30 minute recording. | 8/8/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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9 |
Episode 0 – Introduction | In this pilot episode, I discuss the purpose and goals of the podcast, and introduce myself as a learner of Japanese. The podcast officially kicks off from episode 1, "So You Want to Learn Japanese?" Related links: http://www.japanesepod101.com/ (JapanesePod101, the podcast I mention in the episode) | 7/18/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 9 Episodes |
Customer Reviews
engaging
this isn't your average "hey lets learn japanese" podcast. it's much more meta than that. here you'll find an assortment of discussed shortcuts, mental tips, and other tools to help you grow and foster your love for the japanese language.
this podcast is the perfect companion to your language immersion lessons, and is intended as such.
it's old, but it's stunning. nine, wonderful episodes of awesome!
download and start listening today!
