I still haven't eaten today.So I've taken a closer look at the blog of Khatzumoto,
All Japanese All The Time, and, frankly, I'm pretty impressed with what I see.
Khatzumoto taught himself Japanese via his own intensive method, without the aid of schools, and the results seem to have been phenomenal. His blog is largely dedicated to helping other folks in their own language studies.
It got me to thinking about my own language progress, especially in relation to school. Khatzumoto seems not to be the biggest proponent of school-based training. Though, to be honest, even though I'm here and enrolled in a school, I'm not either. I'm not really the sort of guy to last in school a long time, I've learned from my experiences both here and at college back at home. Over the past few years, and even more over my time studying here, I've come to appreciate the advantages of self-education.
Which is part of the reason that I'm wondering if studying here was a good idea. My conclusion is that I can't say how
good it might have been, but it certainly wasn't bad. Just not the most efficient way of getting things done.
I came here to Japan for more than just learning Japanese—for more personal emotionally and psychological reasons as well. Looking at it from
that viewpoint, this trip has been a moderately sufficient success, I'd say. In the sense of learning Japanese, it's been ... I guess, a pretty good success. I think that Yamasa is a pretty good school, but it's still a school and suffers from the inherent limitations of that. To make the most of being here in Japan, one must take advantage of the social possibilities of
being here as well. I'm not very social, though, and have failed to maximize that possibility. What a waste. My Japanese—especially speaking ability—has suffered because this, too. But on the other side of things, actually
being here has given me many experiences that have helped me understand Japanese culture more than I might otherwise have.
But life continues and I'm left to consider my future. I will continue studying Japanese on my own in America as I (
sigh) complete my university studies, but I expect that I'll be able to do so with a renewed fervor and energy and that
that is when I can really expect some results. Reading about Khatzumoto's experience of becoming, apparently, quite fluent in his home country (I
think he's American) kind of relaxed my fears about my Japanese getting worse once I get back home. Obviously, it's up to me what happens. And I don't intend to let my Japanese ability dry up like many do.
(Shoot—no time like the present to reinvent one's study methods. For one, I need to focus less on grammar, like at school, and focus more on straight communication.)Unlike Khatzumoto, however, I have no burning desire to actually live here, though. I mean, I like living in Japan, but it comes with its own set of up and downs just like living in America does. I'm pretty open as to where I live, but I suppose that, if I had an even choice, I would choose Japan, though. I do like it here. (But I do
not think that I want to work here. But I can worry about all of that later.)
For now, I need to eat. (Breakfast.)
Labels: english
