The following eight principles work together as one to encourage learners to become not just information receptacles but critical thinkers and effective communicators that prioritise understanding, mastery and a lifelong love of learning and curiosity:
1. Festina Lente #
This principle emphasises taking your time and mastering the basics before moving on. It's about building a strong foundation of knowledge, step by step, instead of rushing through material.
"Festina Lente" is a Latin phrase that means "make haste slowly" or "hurry slowly". It emphasises the importance of maintaining a well balanced and deliberate approach to learning and teaching.
The goal is to gain a deep understanding of knowledge and skills rather than focusing on quickly acquiring artificial knowledge. There is a need to be patient, thorough and diligent in your studies. Rushing through the learning process can result in incomplete understandings or the inability to apply knowledge effectively in the real world.
By taking the time to carefully learn and understand information, you can develop a solid foundation of knowledge that can be built upon in future learning. This approach allows for a deeper level of understanding and the ability to make meaningful connections between various subjects.
Building a Strong Foundation
When learning Japanese, don't rush straight into learning kanji, spend time solidifying your grasp of hiragana and katakana. These are the two syllabaries used in the Japanese writing system.
Learn a few characters each day, practising writing and reading them and reviewing regularly. Trying to memorise all hiragana and katakana in a single week or even a day without consistent practice will only lead to frustration and stress.
Learn 2 hiragana characters each day and after a week, review the 14 characters you have learnt and remember to practice reading and writing them using basic words and sentences. It'll take a few weeks to cover them all and several months of repetition but this steady pace ensures you retain what you learn and build a solid foundation.
Understand Grammar Slowly
Japanese grammar can be very complex, with different sentence structures and particles that are unfamiliar to non-natives and the differences compared to how English grammar works.
Focus on one grammar point at a time, practicing it through various exercises and real-life examples before moving to the next rather than trying to learn all the grammar rules in a short period of time. It will only lead to confusion and mixed up concepts.
Spend a week mastering the use of the particle は as the topic marker. Practice by forming basic sentences and gradually incorporate it into your speech and writing. Once you are confident enough, you can move on to another particle like が.
Incremental Vocabulary Building
Even though vocabulary is essential, cramming in way too many words all at once can lead to poor memory retention and misunderstandings.
Try to learn a few new words each day or week, using them in basic sentences and revisit them on a regularly basis rather than trying to memorising a very long list of words all in one sitting without any context or real usage. Don't just use flashcards, use words in real life activities.
Learn 1 or 2 new words daily and try writing sentences using these words then review them the next day. Also, you should try using them in practice conversations with a language partner or tutor if you have one. This gradual approach helps solidify the words into your memory.
Speaking and Listening
Speaking and listening skills develop over time and with consistent practice.
Starting with simple conversations, focusing on correct pronunciation and gradually increasing the complexity as you become more comfortable rather than trying to engage in complex conversations before even mastering basic phrases.
Begin by practicing basic greetings and self-introduction phrases. Record yourself, listen and compare with native speakers. Immerse yourself to the language with video games, books, TV and so on. Gradually include more vocabulary and grammar points as you progress.
Cultural Immersion
Understanding cultural context is very important for language learning. Not all cultures conform to English and western standards.
Take the time to learn about Japanese culture, customs and social interactions as you study the language. Japanese grammar has subtle nuances such as politeness levels (keigo) so ignoring cultural nuances and focusing solely on the language can lead to unnatural speech and being disrespectful.
As you learn language basics, also read about Japanese festivals, food and etiquette. This kind of knowledge enhances your understanding and makes the learning process much more meaningful.
Regular Review and Reflection
Frequently review what you have learnt to prevent forgetting everything and reinforce your learning, understanding and memory.
Try to set aside time to incorporate regular review sessions into your study routine to consolidate your knowledge rather than rushing ahead and moving on to new topics without even reviewing previous material.
Set aside time each week to review what you have learnt, whether it is vocabulary, grammar or kanji etc. You could use notes, flashcards or even better, practice with a partner.
Important Notes
Take the time to master the basics before moving on, practising regularly and integrate cultural knowledge into your studies. This approach not only ensures you have better retention but also a more enjoyable, meaningful and fulfilling language learning experience.
Don't just passively watch anime or listen to music. Engage actively by pausing, rewinding and looking up unfamiliar words and grammar points. For example, if you love games, check out the videos from https://www.youtube.com/@GameGengo to see how this is done.
View mistakes as stepping stones. Analyze them, learn from them and don't be afraid to practice speaking or writing even if you make errors.
Language is intertwined with culture. Immersing yourself slowly allows you to appreciate the cultural context behind words and expressions. Even if you can't visit the country or don't know anyone who can tell you, trying watching videos such as https://www.youtube.com/@AbroadinJapan
Learning Japanese might seem like a marathon but it's not a sprint. Acknowledge and celebrate your progress, no matter how small.
Avoid being overwhelmed from rushing ahead, you'll experience much less frustration and maintain motivation throughout your learning journey if you take your time.
Instead of trying to memorize complex grammar rules, focus on understanding the underlying logic. Break down sentences into smaller components and see how they connect.
Don't try to learn vast lists of words without context. Focus on learning vocabulary relevant to your interests and daily life. For example, if you love anime, learn vocabulary related to that genre. Do you love food as much as @AbroadinJapan? Learn the names of dishes and cooking verbs.
Everyone learns at their own pace. Don't compare yourself to others. Everyone also has a different learning style so don't be put off if toxic people say things like "You can't learn real Japanese from textbooks. You should learn casual speech from real people." if your learning style is more theoretical than practical.
2. Multum non multa #
This principle focuses on quality over quantity. Instead of spreading yourself thin across many subjects, focus on mastering a few key ones.
"Multum non multa" is a Latin phrase that means "much, not many". It is an educational approach that emphasises quality over quantity.
It is more beneficial to gain a deeper understanding into a few subjects or concepts rather than artificially covering a large range of topics. Instead of trying to learn too many things all at once, you should focus on fewer subjects and explore them in much greater detail.
With a deeper understanding and mastery of the subjects or concepts, you will gain more thorough and meaningful learning experiences, enabling you to make connections much more easily, think more critically about subjects and develop a stronger foundation to work on.
Deep Learning of Key Elements
Focus on understanding only a few important aspects thoroughly than skimming through many topics.
Concentrate on mastering hiragana first before moving on to katakana then afterwards, begin with basic kanji rather than trying to learn all three writing systems all at the same time without actually mastering and fully understanding any of them.
Spend the first few weeks solely on hiragana. Practice writing, reading and using hiragana in simple words and sentences. Once you are confident enough, proceed on to katakana with the same depth of focus.
In-depth Grammar Study
Japanese grammar has unique structures and particles that are best learnt thoroughly one at a time.
Focus on one grammar rule, practice it extensively and use it in different contexts to gain a deeper and more meaningful understanding before moving on to the next grammar rule rather than trying to learn multiple grammar rules all at once.
Dedicate a week of learning the particle は. Use it in various sentences, understand its role as the topic marker. Only after mastering は, move on to が and other particles.
In-depth Vocabulary Building
Rather than trying to learn long lists of vocabulary, focus on a smaller set of words and use them extensively.
Learning 10 new words a week, using them in sentences and practising them in different contexts will help much better than trying to memorising 50 new words a week without any context or proper usage.
Choose 10 common words, such as family members or common objects. Use these words in writing and speaking. Create flashcards, practice with a partner if you have one and incorporate these words into daily conversations.
In-depth Speaking and Listening Practice
Focus on mastering basic conversational skills rather than trying to engage in complex conversations.
Practice simple, everyday conversations and building a solid foundation in listening and speaking skills before attempting to understand and use advance sentence and grammar immediately otherwise you'll end up not understanding anything and even years of practice, finding yourself unable to understand or speak properly and becoming frustrated.
Start with basic phrases like greetings, introductions and common phrases. Practice them thoroughly, ensuring correct pronunciation and understanding then gradually expand to slightly more complex conversations as you gain confidence.
Cultural Immersion
Deeply understanding the cultural context enhances language learning significantly.
Focusing on one cultural aspect at a time, such as social standings, traditions, history, travel, food or such. Understanding these things deeply rather than trying to learn about all the aspects of Japanese culture all at once without any context or meaning.
Spend a month learning about Japanese tea ceremonies. Read about its history, watch videos and if possible, participate in a tea ceremony. This deep cultural understanding enriches your language learning experience.
Consistent Reviewing
Regularly reviewing and applying what you've learnt ensures long-term retention.
Review and apply key concepts before adding new material rather than moving on to new topics without reinforcing previous knowledge and memory.
Set aside a day each week for reviewing. Go over previously learnt vocabulary, grammar and phrases. Use them in writing and speaking. This consistent reinforcement solidifies your understanding and knowledge.
Important Notes
Learning Japanese involves focusing deeply on a few key aspects at a time rather than trying to cover too much superficially in one go. master a few important and common topics thoroughly and build a strong foundation that will support further learning. This approach ensures a deeper understanding and a more meaningful, enjoyable learning experience.
Japanese learning resources are by far and wide, from textbooks to apps to videos and so on. However, not all resources are created equal. Focusing on a selection with depth and structure will be more beneficial than spreading yourself across too many different materials.
Don't chase a large vocabulary list with shallow understanding. Instead, prioritize mastering a smaller set of words and grammar points that you can use confidently in real-life situations.
Choose materials that align with your learning goals and interests. Are you learning for business or travel? Do you love anime or manga? Find resources that meet your specific needs.
Instead of relying solely on a free online grammar guides, invest in a well-structured book that provides clear explanations, exercises and answers.
Focus on in-depth resources rather than skimming through a vast amount of basic information.
Don't just drill vocabulary and grammar rules. Actively understand how they work and how they fit into the overall language structure.
Learn words and grammar with context. Instead of memorizing isolated vocabulary lists, focus on phrases and sentences relevant to real-life situations.
Don't get too engaged with complex verb conjugations rarely used in speech and solely relying too much on artificial examples used in textbooks.
Don't just passively consume information. Actively engage with the learning materials. Analyse grammar patterns, dissect sentence structures and practice using new vocabulary in conversation or writing.
Don't just listen to hours of generic Japanese audio. Find podcasts, audiobooks or dialogues targeted towards beginners, focusing on topics that actually interest you.
Rather than trying to learn hundreds of Kanji characters at once, focus on a small set of high-frequency Kanji that appear in most common words.
By focusing on quality content, you gain a deeper understanding of the language and spending less time feeling overwhelmed. Just remember, "Quality over Quantity".
3. Repetitio est Fundamentum Memoriae #
While not just about rote memorisation, this principle acknowledges the importance of repetition in learning.
"Repetitio est Fundamentum Memoriae" is a Latin phrase that means "Repetition is the foundation of memory". Repeating something over and over again helps us remember and understand it better. The idea stems from the belief that frequent repetition strengthens the memory and makes information stick in our minds more effectively.
When we review and practice things repeatedly, such as through reviewing notes, practicing exercises or revisiting important concepts, we reinforce our understandings and retention of that knowledge. By repeating information, we create strong connections in our brains, enhancing our ability to recall and apply it in the future.
While repetition alone wouldn’t guarantee lasting memory, it does play a crucial role as a foundational step in the learning process. Repetition doesn’t just mean verbally repeating the same thing over and over again, it may be in the form of games like quizes, wordsearches, cards, songs and so on.
Blindly repeating without understanding can lead to frustration and shallow knowledge. Emphasis is on the understanding of context and meaning behind the information being memorised. It's more about the repetition as a foundation, not the only strategy.
Someone could be learning 2,000 different Kanji characters but no matter how many times, even if thousands of times of repeating those 2,000 Kanji characters, they'll still struggle and constantly forget almost all of them whereas combining those Kanji characters into a story could mean a person may be able to remember all 2,000 Kanji characters by only ever seeing them once or twice.
Context is extremely important and can make a whole world of difference.
While rote repetition might help with the initial recognition, understanding the meaning and usage of each character, coupled with contextual exposure would lead to deeper and more permanent knowledge.
Regularly Review the Writing Systems
Japanese uses three writing systems: hiragana, katakana and kanji. Mastering these requires consistent practice while not relying too much on romaji every time.
Regularly reviewing hiragana while learning katakana and continuously practising both even after starting kanji rather than learning hiragana once and then moving on to katakana then to kanji without revisiting.
Spend a few minutes each day writing out the hiragana and katakana charts from memory. Use apps or flashcards to quiz yourself on these characters daily.
Repeating Vocabulary
Learning vocabulary is more effective when words are regularly reviewed and used in different contexts.
Regularly review and use words in speaking, writing and listening practice rather than trying to memorise a list of words a few times without context or meaning.
Use a spaced repetition system (SRS) app like "Anki" or "Memrise" to review vocabulary daily. Create sentences with new words and use them in conversations with language partners or tutors.
Repeating Grammar Rules
Japanese grammar can be quite complex, with many particles and sentence structures to remember.
Continuously practise using grammar rules you've learnt in different sentences and situations even as you learn new grammar points. Learning a specific grammar rule then moving on to another rule without further practice will only xause frustration and lack of memory retention.
Write multiple sentences each day using the particle が. Gradually increase the complexity of your sentences and include this practice in your weekly review sessions.
Repeating Speaking/Listening Practice
Developing fluency requires ongoing practice in speaking and listening.
Set aside some time each day or week dedicated to speaking and listening practice rather than randomly practicing without a set time, schedule or plan of action. Relying solely on reading and writing for memorisation without using effective tools won't help in the long run.
Listen to Japanese podcasts or watch Japanese shows daily, repeating phrases and mimicking the pronunciation. Engage in conversation practice with a partner regularly if you have one.
Incremental Learning
Balancing new material with regular review helps solidify knowledge.
Integrate review sessions into your study routine to revisit previously learnt material rather than just moving on to reviewing new content without past knowledge. This ensures that older knowledge is reinforced even as new information is added.
After learning some new vocabulary or grammar rule, spend the last 10-15 minutes of each study session reviewing past material.
Engage with Native Content
Consuming content in Japanese repeatedly helps with picking up natural Japanese.
Repeatedly engaging with the same content to deepen understanding and reinforce learning rather than just simply watching a Japanese show once without any kind of follow-up. Repetition helps you catch the difference in nuances' and better understand the language used in different contexts.
Choose a favourite Japanese show or YouTube channel and watch them multiple times. If possible use Japanese subtitles and breakdown sentences' and understand the different parts of it
Important Notes
Our minds rely on repetition to solidify new information into long-term memory. When learning Japanese, repeatedly encountering new words, grammar structures and pronunciation patterns strengthens the connections associated with them, helping to improve recall and fluency.
Don't just passively read or listen. Actively engage with the material through writing exercises, speaking drills and flashcards.
Spaced repetition is where you revisit information at increasing intervals. It is far more effective than just cramming everything in.
When learning Hiragana and Katakana characters, write them out repeatedly. Regularly review previously learnt characters to prevent forgetting.
Don't just memorize isolated words. Use a method that includes the word, its meaning, reading and examples of sentences. Regularly review these and try to use those words in your own sentences.
Incorporate games, mnemonics or other methods to make repetitive practice fun and engaging.
After learning a new grammar point, practice building sentences using that structure. Speak these sentences aloud or write them down. Revisit these exercises a few days later to test your recall.
Not all information is best learnt through repetition. Complex concepts or creative skills may require different learning strategies. Different people respond better to different methods of learning. While repetition works for some, other people may benefit more from stories, visuals or other methods.
4. Comprehension through Melody #
This principle uses catchy tunes and rhymes to make learning more engaging and memorable. It taps into the power of music and rhythm to help information stick.
Using music and rhythmic patterns to enhance learning is very important. This is because it makes repetition more enjoyable, engaging and significantly help with memorisation. This method turns learning into something more immersive and entertaining and making it much easier to stay motivated and focused while progressing with your language skills.
Exposure to Japanese songs and chants opens a range of opportunities to the culture and traditions associated with them.
Unlike the original Greek and Latin teachings of Classical Pedagogy, in the modern era, this is not restricted to such things as Songs and Chants but also re-acting scenes from video games, films, manga and so on.
Learning Vocabulary and Grammar
Traditional Japanese children’s songs often use simple vocabulary and grammar with repetitive structures making it a great way to introduce and reinforce memory retention.
Listen to "Kirakira Boshi" (Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star) daily. The lyrics include simple words like 星 (hoshi = star) and 空 (sora = sky). Sing along with the lyrics, focusing on the pronunciation and meaning of each word. Also, look for a video that has hiragana subtitles.
Practicing Pronunciation with Poems
There are many Japanese poems and chants you can use to help with memorising hiragana and katakana and their sounds. This repetitive practice will help you pronounce each character correctly and quickly recall them when reading or writing.
Recite "Gojuuon" by Kitahara Hakushu which uses fifty sounds of the Japanese characters. It's a poem that is also commonly used as a vocal exercise in when training in theatre or acting.
Click here to learn more
Important Notes
Music, chants, jingle, poems and so on are not restricted to just children's or traditional content but a whole variety of other styles like J-Pop or even your favourite anime opening/ending.
Many J-Pop songs have catchy melodies and are great for practicing contemporary language use. Look up the lyrics and their meanings, then sing along. Pay attention to the pronunciation, intonation and rhythm of the words. This not only makes learning enjoyable but also immerses you into modern Japanese culture.
Also, music videos with subtitles provide context and visual cues, aiding comprehension. Sing along while reading these subtitles. It will help you connect spoken and written forms of the language and understand how words and phrases fit into sentences.
5. Embodied learning #
This principle encourages learning through physical activity and movement. It's not just about sitting at a desk – it's about using your body to learn.
Embodied learning emphasises the connection between physical movement, sensory experiences and language acquisition. Connecting language to physical actions creates stronger memory associations. Recalling the action and linking words to real life situations helps you recall the related word or phrase much easier. Don't be afraid to look silly, embrace the silliness and have fun.
Learning Through Gestures
Using hand movements or body gestures such as associating words with actions can help you remember new words and grammar without the stress of brute force memorisation through flashcards.
When learning the word 立つ (tatsu), stand up each time you say it. When learning 座る (suwaru), sit down. The physical action reinforces the meaning of the words, making them easier to remember.
Practical Writing
Engaging your whole body in the writing process can aid memorisation of characters. Just like how someone might practise playing an instrument like a piano without actually using a piano. Simply use arm and finger movements to trace characters in the air. This activity helps you internalise the character’s shape and stroke order through muscle memory.
Using a finger as if pointing and draw the kanji character 山 (yama) in the air, making large and deliberate strokes while saying the word aloud and imagining a mountain.
Role-playing and Dialogue
Engaging in role-playing scenarios really helps you practice language in context, making it more meaningful and memorable. Acting out common situations such as eating out or even a made up scene of your favourite anime. Acting out these scenarios' helps you practice new words and phrases in a realistic context, making them much easier to recall.
If possible, with a partner, role-play a restaurant scene. One person acts as the customer while is the waiter. Use phrases like メニューを
Sensory Experiences
Using multiple senses can enhance language learning by creating stronger associations. For example, if you love food, then use taste and smell with language practice. The sensory experience of tasting the food helps reinforce the vocabulary associated with it.
Taste different foods and as you eat, learn the names and ingredients in Japanese. While eating 寿司 (sushi), learn words like 魚 (sakana = fish), 米 (kome = rice), and 海苔 (nori = seaweed).
Kinesthetic Learning
Engaging in physical activities that involve language use helps solidify learning through actions like playing language-based games that require movement such as Karuta, a traditional Japanese card game.
Play Karuta, where one person reads a sentence or phrase in Japanese and players race to find the corresponding card. This game helps with listening comprehension and quick recall of vocabulary while incorporating physical movement.
TPR (Total Physical Response)
TPR is a language teaching method that involves physical movement in response to verbal input. For example, responding to commands with physical actions. This method helps you quickly understand and respond to spoken language through physical movement.
A partner gives commands in Japanese and you respond with the corresponding action. For instance, when hearing 立って
Important Notes
Embodied learning with Japanese using physical movements, sensory experiences and role-playing helps to enhance memorisation and understanding of the language. By engaging your body in the learning process, you create strong, multi-sensory connections that not only makes learning more enjoyable but also improves retention and practical use of Japanese in context.
6. Wonder and curiosity #
This principle fosters a love of learning by nurturing a sense of wonder and curiosity in students. It encourages asking questions, exploring new ideas and being excited about discovery.
By nurturing your natural curiosity and sense of wonder, you will make learning less of a chore and something more motivating. The more curious about a language and its culture, the more likely you'll be to invest in learning it. Seeking out new information, exploring different aspects of the language and asking questions all lead to a deeper and richer learning experience.
Explore Culture
Curiosity about Japanese culture can motivate you to learn the language more deeply. for example, learning about and participating in Japanese festivals. This kind of cultural exploration makes learning the language more intriguing and contextually meaningful.
Research the Tanabata festival, which celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi. Learn the related vocabulary and phrases, such as 願い事 (negaigoto = wish) and 笹 (sasa = bamboo grass). Make a wish in Japanese and write it on a piece of paper as is traditionally done during the festival.
Engage with Media
Watching Japanese movies, anime, YouTube videos or reading light novels, manga or news articles and such can stir up curiosity and provide real life context for learning a Japanese. This is an immersive experience that sparks curiosity about the language used in everyday situations and encourages you to learn more.
Watch "My Neighbor Totoro" in Japanese with Japanese subtitles. Pay close attention to the characters' dialogues and try to pick up common phrases and expressions that they use.
Tackle Difficult Topics
Approach challenging aspects of the language with a sense of wonder. For example, investigate the origins and meanings of certain kanji characters to motivate yourself to learn even more kanji characters. Discovering how kanji characters evolved and their meanings can make learning them more interesting.
Learn about the history and origin of kanji characters such as 日 (hi) which represents the sun and also means "day" and how it evolved into what it is today.
Travel Immersion
Planning a trip to Japan or virtual exploration can fuel your curiosity. You could even find virtual tours of Japanese cities if you are not able to actually travel there. This kind of immersion keeps you curious about learning more.
Plan a trip to Japan. Research phrases and vocabulary you’d need, such as 駅は
Important Notes
Curiosity creates a sense of ownership allowing you to become a self-directed learner, actively seeking out resources and exploring different learning materials by yourself without relying on other people. Let your curiosity guide you further and do not feel afraid to ask questions and explore unfamiliar language.
7. Educational virtues #
This principle focuses on developing not just academic skills but also good character traits. It emphasises values like diligence, perseverance, honesty and respect.
The concept of educational virtues goes beyond simply that of acquiring language skills but emphasises the importance of developing positive traits that support your Japanese language learning and overall personal growth. Certain virtues like perseverance, patience and discipline are essential for overcoming challenges and making steady progress.
Patience
Patience is very important when learning a language, as progress can be slow and requires consistent effort. Patience helps you to stay calm and focused, avoiding frustration and discouragement.
Learn up to five new kanji characters each week. Understanding that kanji takes time and practice, you patiently review each character daily, accepting that it may take months or even years to become proficient enough. Japanese children will usually spend about 12 years in school learning them and Japanese adults still don't know all the kanji.
Perseverance
When faced with difficulty, persevere by setting small, achievable goals and pushing through challenges and setbacks. Also, remember to acknowledge and celebrate your progress to stay motivated.
You join a Japanese language group. At first, you struggle with speaking and make plenty of mistakes but you persevere by attending every week, practicing conversations despite your discomfort or anxiety. Over time, your speaking skills improve.
Humility
Humility allows you to accept that learning a language is a process that involves making many mistakes and needing to seek help rather than being too proud. Remain open to criticism, correction and advice. Making mistakes is an inevitable part of learning any language. Be patience and understand that mistakes are opportunities to learn.
When learning Japanese, you find yourself making errors a lot. Instead of feeling embarrassed, you humbly ask someone, either your language partner, teacher or an online forum to correct you. This openness to feedback helps you learn from your mistakes and improve more quickly.
Discipline
Discipline involves maintaining a regular study routine and staying committed to your learning goals. Dedicating consistent time to studying, even if it's just 15-20 minutes a day, requires discipline to help you make steady progress.
You create a study schedule that includes daily practice with vocabulary, weekly grammar lessons and monthly speaking practice sessions. By sticking to this disciplined approach, you ensure steady progress in your Japanese language learning.
Seeking Advice and Inspiration
Finding inspiration from others who have successfully learnt Japanese can boost your motivation and perseverance. Reading about or watching videos of people who have being successful with Japanese can be encouraging.
You watch interviews or read articles by people who have achieved fluency in Japanese. Their stories of overcoming difficulties and the methods they used inspire you to stay committed and patient in your own learning journey.
Important Notes
Learning Japanese can seem like climbing a long steep mountain but persevere and transform your journey into a path of self-discovery, character development and a deeper understanding of both yourself and the Japanese culture.
8. School, schole, contemplation and leisure #
This principle goes beyond the traditional view of school. It emphasises creating a space for contemplation, reflection and leisure. Learning shouldn't be stressful or rushed. It should allow time for students to think critically, make connections and enjoy the process of learning.
"Schole" is an ancient Greek word that means "leisure"; also known as "restful learning". It refers to a kind of leisure that involves intellectual engagement and contemplation rather than just simply relaxing.
It's about a balance of structured learning (School), schole (restful learning), thoughtful reflection (contemplation) and enjoyable activities (leisure). All of these words share the same kind of meaning.
Structured Learning (School)
Structured learning involves a formal education settings of organised lessons and disciplined study routines. This kind of structure provides a foundation ensuring consistent progress. You don't need to be in an actual school to apply this.
Set a set curriculum or schedule of covering grammar, vocabulary, conversation skills, culture and other gaols you want or need to know for the month or year.
Applying the other principle and methods we've seen so far, at the start of the day, you may learn some new words and grammar. At midday, you learn about the culture and practice what you've done so far. In the afternoon, you review everything that you've covered that day. After a week, you move on to learning new content and so on in the same Structured way.
Thoughtful Reflection (Contemplation)
Contemplation involves deep thinking and reflection on what you have learnt. This helps in internalising knowledge, making connections and consolidating your knowledge to identify areas that need more attention.
After each session of learning, you spend about 15 to 20 minutes reflecting on what you have learned. Write down about any new grammar rules, vocabulary you found interesting and how you felt during the current session.
Enjoyable Activities (Leisure)
Leisure activities are enjoyable pursuits that still engage your mind, create a love for the language and staying motivated.
Spend an hour each evening watching your favourite anime or other TV series with Japanese audio and Japanese subtitles. This kind of leisure activity helps you pick up conversational phrases and understand the cultural nuances while still learning but enjoying yourself.
Balance Between Study and Leisure
Balancing structured study sessions with leisure activities keeps you motivated and prevents burnout. Try mixing formal study with enjoyable activities. This balanced approach ensures steady progress while keeping the learning process enjoyable.
Your weekly schedule includes structured study sessions (school) three times a week, reflective journalling (contemplation) twice a week and watching anime or cooking Japanese food (leisure) during the weekends.
Deepening Understanding
Taking the time to think deeply and reflecting on language immersion helps solidify your understanding.
Spend a day at a local Japanese cultural festival (even if it's just watch videos about one, instead of actually going). After the event, you contemplate your experiences, noting down new words you heard, observing cultural practices and thinking about how different phrases were used in context. This reflection deepens your cultural and language understanding.
Enhancing Learning
Other leisure activities related to Japanese culture can enhance your language skills naturally.
Pick up a manga series you enjoy and read it in Japanese. At first, you may need to use a dictionary or look stuff up online but over time, you'll begin to recognise familiar words and grammar structures. This leisure activity improves your reading skills while keeping you engaged.
Creating a Learning Environment
Design a study environment that encourages both structured learning and leisure. In other words, set up a dedicated area just for learning and relaxation.
Create a study room with books, flashcards and other learning material. Nearby, have a comfortable chair and a selection of Japanese novels, manga and a TV for watching Japanese shows. This setup helps you switch seamlessly between focused study and relaxed learning.
Important Notes
Structured learning provides the necessary foundation and discipline, contemplation deepens the understanding and leisure activities keep the process enjoyable and engaging. By integrating these elements, you create an effective language learning experience with both the intellectual growth and genuine love for the language and culture.
Traditional learning often focuses on rote memorization but restful learning encourages a more thoughtful and reflective approach, allowing you to contemplate how the language works and connect it to your interests. Focusing solely on intensive study can lead to burnout while this approach allows you to relax and refresh your mind.
Instead of brute memorization, spend time reflecting on the origin and history of Kanji characters. Research the connections between the character's visual form and its meaning.
Read a Japanese manga or anime with Japanese subtitles. While relaxing, pay attention to the phrases used and try to understand the context.
Take a walk and practice forming Japanese sentences in your head. Contemplate the grammar structure and pronunciation.
Please remember, take breaks and refresh your mind to improve your focus during dedicated learning sessions and just enjoy the journey of language learning filled with exploration, cultural immersion and create a genuine love for the language.