Blog Assignment #3 by 2/2 (M) or 2/3 (Tu)

こんにちは！

Didn't you enjoy your classmates' posts last week!? What a nice variety! I learned about new anime, Japanese songs, and interesting shows!  I also enjoyed reading your comments! Thanks everyone! Let's keep this going! 

So, this week as well, please share your thoughts or recommendation on Japan-related videos, songs, shows, etc.!

Please remember to include visual information on your blog and to leave comments on your classmates' posts.

 

Blog Assignment #2 by 1/26 (M) or 1/27 (Tu)

こんにちは！

For this blog assignment, please do the following.

• Find a Japan-related video online (YouTube etc.) and write your brief comment, thoughts, and/or opinion in English.   

The video can be Japanese song(s), Japanese YouTuber's show, (part of) a Japanese film (or TV show, anime episode, etc), a travel vlog in Japan, a documentary on Japan (history, culture, people, nature, etc.). Try to find one in Japanese language with (or without) subtitles so that you get as much Japanese exposure as possible. One of the main goals of this assignment is for you to familiarize yourself with Japanese sounds, rhythm, intonation, cultural gestures, and mannerisms, rather than comprehending the meaning. The other goal, of course, is for you to explore things Japanese. So, have fun exploring!

 Blog Homework #1: due 1/ 20(T) / 1/21(W)

   Please complete the following 1-4.


1. About the Blog Project


First, start by reading the post titled “blog project”, which illustrates the purpose of this project. Scroll all the way down and you will see the entry titled “blog project”.

2. The Development of the Blog

You can click students' links at 'ND Japanese Blogs' on the right-hand side to see how their blogs look like.

3. Post in English
Please write in English about why you chose to study Japanese, also may include what you are excited about.

4. Write sentences in Japanese (optional)
In hiragana, please write some sentences (You can use expressions from Lesson 0). For those who do not know how to type in Japanese, please read click on the “Japanese and Computer” link on the right-hand side of this page. You can also find information in Tobira textbook (pp. 111-114). 

When you decide to write in Japanese, do NOT use online translation tools, such as Google Translate. Try to write your original sentences in Japanese. 

Let’s start the Blog Project. For this class we would like you to keep a blog because it provides a place:

1. To share/express your happiness, surprise, excitement, and/or frustration, as well as any questions you might have, while learning the Japanese language (or any other topics).

• You can convey your intended meaning more effectively by utilizing other resources such as pictures and videos. Remember that people utilize not only language but also other resources such as tone of your voice, music, body language, picture, color, font style, and size for communication.

• While studying new grammar and words is very important when learning a language, it is equally important to actually use the language in a real-life context. You must not wait to express yourself only when you think you have mastered the language because language learning is basically an ongoing process. In the beginning, you may use English or any other language to express yourself, but I recommend that you gradually mix with Japanese whenever you feel comfortable enough to express yourself in the language.

 

2. To share your extensive listening/viewing activities with your classmates. Input (=listening, viewing, reading) is extremely important for your language study. We strongly encourage you to spend time outside of class watching anime, movies, drama, game shows, other YouTube videos, listening to music, etc. Find something you can enjoy!

 

3. To communicate with your classmates and other people outside of class.

• Language learning is not limited to what you do for the course but also includes what you do and experience outside the class. We will create links to your classmates' blogs as well as blogs by students in other schools, so you can see what other people think and feel about Japanese language learning (as well as other topics). You are also strongly encouraged to leave comments on these blogs.

 

4. To reflect (or evaluate) what you have done so far.

• Sometimes it is challenging to see our own progress or growth. Blogs help you to look back and see how you have changed through the course of your Japanese language learning.