The Japanese Learner

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

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ID3 Tags Fixed

I’ve fixed the ID3 tags for the episodes that have been posted so far to add our album artwork and to credit Michael Amygdalidis as composer (which is as close as I can get to what he actually does for the show using ID3 tags).  If you’d like to have the album art for episodes 0 and 1, re-download the episodes using your podcatcher of choice.

If you’re using iTunes, the easiest way to achieve this is to delete the podcast and its files and re-subscribe.  The files will be re-downloaded.  You can mark the ones you’ve already listened to as “not new” and continue from there.

I apologize for any inconveniences this may cause.

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.

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The Japanese Learner now available in iTunes!

You can now subscribe to The Japanese Learner through the iTunes Music Store.  I’ve added the iTunes link under “Subscribe to the Podcast”.  Or you can click here to subscribe now.

Of course, those of you who aren’t using iTunes can still subscribe to the podcast by using the RSS feed.

Episode 2 is being recorded tomorrow and episode 1 should be available Real Soon Now™.  =)

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)

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