Hello! So…there are a lot of features that need adding on KhatzuMemo, and it’s time at least some of them got added. My time management skills at this point are still at the level of “do one thing at a time” [which, ironically, is about the same level they were at 3 years ago when…
10,000 Hours: Building Listening Comprehension
by khatzumoto
A lot of people have complained, well, complain is a strong word, but pointed out to me: “Hey, Khatzumoto. What the heck, son?! Your method is too writing-focused!”. To this I must heartily respond: “Um…bollocks”. No it isn’t. But, to be fair, I haven’t discussed listening and speaking as much as I’ve discussed reading and…
How To Speak Like A Native
by khatzumoto
This entry is part 1 of 12 in the series Secrets of SpeakingThis is another comment that grew so long as to deserve its own article. First, the original question: See, everyone is so discouraging when you learn a new language and say you’ll always ’sound like a foreigner’ and this is a bit depressing.…
A Proposal Towards Reduced Suckage in the Classroom
by khatzumoto
Classes suck. But could they be made to suck less? Even, *gasp* worthwhile? A reader named Kurojohn asked me that, and I got carried away with the response, so for the purposes of easier discussion, here it is as an article. First, the question: Khatzumoto, I know that language classes are not highly regarded by…
How To Read Out The Things That Aren’t Written Explicitly In Japanese: Military-Style Numerals
by khatzumoto
Ever wanted to know how to read numbers in military situations in Japanese? Of course you have. So here you go. But be careful — unlike in English (where military culture has mixed into popular culture more), relatively few people in Japan know these numbers…you probably can’t use them successfully on the phone with a…
Boiling Water
by khatzumoto
Um…I guess I’m going to keep this short. I went on a really long walk today, through forests and leafy neighborhoods and narrow streets. Anyway, near the very end of the walk, it occurred to me that learning a language is like boiling water. When the water has boiled, you have reached fluency. Thereafter, you…