I’ve decided to move my language diary to Twitter. I’m going to post daily updates on my progress and also use the platform for language output. I won’t post updates on this site anymore.
My Twitter account is here!
Category: General
Language output
I have realised that I am at the stage where I need language output. Just inputting grammar and vocabulary won’t make it stick. I need output. I’m going to join italki and start lessons, but first (because I’m a bit busy at the moment), I’m going to start posting in French and Chinese on here. Kind of like a blog, or random notes, using grammar and vocabulary that I have learnt.
New book
I was aiming to study for level 3 of the French test administered in Japan, but I have realised the content is above my level. I need to step back and learn some basics, so I bought a textbook for level 4. (I also bought the textbook for level 3 in the same series.) I’m going to try and do a few units a week.
Studying never ends for a translator
I used to think that once I became a translator, that would be it. I would be a fluent reader, writer and speaker of Japanese, and I wouldn’t need to study anymore. I was wrong.
I’ve been a translator for 16 years, but I’m still studying. I study for exams in my specialist fields. The exams are all in Japanese. I specialise in cosmetics, skincare, marketing and tourism, but at the moment, I’m focusing my study on cosmetics and skincare.
I’m using these books for the Cosmetics Meister and Skincare Meister exams. I hope to pass these exams this month.
Then in November, I have another cosmetics exam. I’m going to take level 2. I should have taken it earlier in the year, but it was cancelled due to COVID-19. I’m using these books.
Shortly after that exam, I’m going to take the Cosmetics Ingredients exam. I’m aiming to take level 2, and am using these books.
Next year, I’m going to take a beauty-related pharmaceuticals exam. These are the books I will use.
And, as if that is not enough, I’m going to take level 3 on a pharmaceuticals exam! I’ll use these books to study.
I’ll take the higher level exams the following year. And somehow, I’ll fit the French and Chinese tests in!
Learning multiple languages at the same time
When I was studying Japanese, that was all I focussed on. My goal was the highest grade on the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test), and I dedicated all my spare time to that goal.
At the moment, I’m learning Chinese and French simultaneously. At the beginning of the year, I decided to learn two new languages every three years for ten years. I want to pass the highest grades on tests of each of the languages.
But…I’m feeling myself being pulled by other languages…Italian, Spanish, German, Korean, Russian… They are all on my ten year list, but I don’t want to wait that long!
Someone I follow on Twitter is learning around ten languages at the same time. The person is taking exams in each of the languages, albeit at the lower levels. I am wondering if I should do that. Or am I just being attracted by the idea of learning something new. I tend to multi-task, so I think this is just my personality. Do I do what I did with Japanese and go narrow and deep, or go shallow and wide? What do I want? A basic knowledge of a lot of languages, or a detailed knowledge of a few? Hmm….
I am also studying for a few licenses and exams in my specialist translation fields. These are all in Japanese. I plan to take six of them over the next year, so I’m already studying a lot.
Maybe I should stick with just Chinese and French at least until I have passed the intermediate levels on the tests. I’m still learning the basics, especially in French, so it’s an important time. I need to concentrate, but still…. 🙂
Back to daily study – vana12
I’ve had a break from regular study. I have needed to focus on my businesses, and studying languages has fallen down my list of priorities.
But I’m back! On Twitter in Japan, there is an initiative called hashtag vana12. This stands for “virtual summer holiday homework”. It is now in its 12th year. People who study languages decide what they are going to study over summer and post a daily update of their progress. I participated last year, and got quite a lot of study done.
I thought that no matter how busy I am, and however much my businesses need me, I can spare an hour a day (or find an hour a day) to do 30 minutes of French Duolingo and 30 minutes of Chinese HSK4 textbook reading.
I’m hoping this will develop into a routine which lasts even after the summer holiday has finished.
Change of plan
I started my language journey with an ambitious study plan. COVID-19 has forced me to alter my plans. I have to spend every spare minute I have on my businesses and studying for qualifications in my specialist translation fields, so….that leaves little time for language learning.
I hoped to take exams in French and Chinese this year, but it doesn’t look like that is going to happen. The ones I hoped to take have been cancelled anyway. So, I now plan to take HSK4 (one step higher than 3!) next April, and 3rd graded on the French exam next June.
The tests in my specialist fields are all in November and December, so I will devote most of my spare time in the rest of the year studying for these. They are all in Japanese, so at least I’ll maintain my Japanese skills.
I’m not giving up on Chinese and French or my 10 languages in 10 years study plan. I will study when I can, and try to make use of any spare moment I have to study languages.
Last night before I went to sleep, I did some extensive reading with my Easy French Reader. It had been a while since I studied French (a few weeks anyway), but I could understand most of what I read.
So, I’m not giving up, I just have a change of priorities!
New books
I got the official guide to the French exam for levels 5, 4 and 3. I am planning on taking level 3 this year, but looking at the practice tests that are in the book, I realise that I’m still level 5…. Got a long way to go! My test in June has been cancelled, so I have more time to study. I think the next one is in November.
I got two new Chinese books. I am studying for level 3 on the HSK test, but there is a high chance that it will be cancelled in June. So, I’m thinking about skipping level 3 and going for level 4. I bought three level 4 books – one is the official guide, one has practice tests in, and one is a workbook. I’ve studied the level 3 material multiple times now. Perhaps I will improve if I just keep pushing on and aiming higher.
New Chinese book
I bought a new “Ondoku” Chinese study book. “Ondoku” is Japanese, and means “read aloud”. I already have the French book in this series, so I bought the Chinese one. (I also bought the Korean one for when I study Korean.) Each unit is short, with a series of sentences to read aloud, and then there is some vocabulary practice. I haven’t started it yet, but am hoping to start soon. I need the listening practice!
New French books
I got two new French books – one is about pronouns and prepositions (I need so much more practice with these), and the other is for conversation. I’m going to start them when I’ve finished my main textbook as I need to know more words and expressions to complete some of the exercises.
These will become my main textbooks once I’m done with the grammar book, and the other books I bought recently (the “reading aloud” book and the numbers book) will become supplementary texts.
I should also make a start on the books for the test in June…so many books, so little time!
Heather's Language Journey 