Long-time Kokoro Media readers know that I like to apply various frameworks to the process of studying Japanese. I especially enjoy importing concepts from the business world to do this, and in this article, I’ll explain how you can apply the SWOT framework to your Japanese studies. Read on to learn what a SWOT analysis…
Write to Your Doctor: How to Lower the Language Barrier When Visiting Clinics in Japan
As a wannabe athlete, my mind often has greater physical fitness ambitions than my body can handle. This means that I find myself visiting medical professionals in Japan more often than one might expect. Having to explain basic symptoms in Japanese usually isn’t an issue. However, more complex maladies, such as nebulous “overuse” injuries, require…
3 Video Games That Can Actually Help You Learn Japanese
Ever since I started studying Japanese over a decade ago, I often heard that playing video games in Japanese was an effective way to study the language. As appealing as that sounded, this advice rarely worked for me because: The language and narratives in the games I enjoyed were always too complicated for my Japanese…
How to Use the Eisenhower Matrix to Efficiently Study Japanese
Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th President of the United States, was a paragon of productivity. According to the Eisenhower Presidential Library, his two terms in office (1953 to 1961) were filled with accomplishments that shaped the U.S. and the world. Highlights include signing the 1957 Civil Rights Act, authorizing the development of the Interstate Highway…
How to Choose the Right Digital Flashcard App for Studying Japanese
Digital flashcard applications are a popular and effective way to study Japanese kanji and vocabulary. However, not all flashcard applications are created equal. Reviewing flashcards in a random or sequential order is not the most effective way to learn. You need an application that can leverage the power of spaced repetition to quiz you on…
2 Japanese Expressions to Help You Build Better Relationships in Your Community
In a previous article, I wrote about how, in Japan, it can be difficult to engage in small talk with those outside of your immediate social circles. However, if you’ve just moved to Japan, or to a new neighborhood in Japan, getting to know the people you see on a regular basis is a great…
Optimize Your Japanese Studies by Learning from the World around You
As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, Japanese textbooks can be a valuable resource when you’re starting out with the language. However, it’s important to remember that most textbooks are designed for an academic setting. If you have recently moved to Japan and are just starting to pick up the language, you’ll need to approach Japanese…
How to Carve Your Own Career Path in the Translation Industry: An Interview with Richard Berger
In the spring of 2021, I participated in a Laurasian Institution panel discussion on launching Japan-related careers. One of the most common follow-up questions I received after the discussion was, “How can I build a career in Japanese-English translation?” I did my best to answer these questions at the time. However, even though I speak…
3 Hacks to Better Keigo
Keigo—perhaps nothing strikes more fear in learners of Japanese than this intricate system of formality. It requires a mind shift to adjust to, but once you have the ropes, with enough practice, you too can become a keigo master. If you need a refresher, keigo is an honorific speech in Japanese. It can be divided…
The 3 Best Japanese Podcasts to Advance Your Translation Skills
Quick! How do you say…? Translation can make your head spin, especially when pairing two languages like English and Japanese that are from completely separate linguistic families. However, just because it takes effort doesn’t mean the art of translation can’t be fun! Podcasts are a fantastic resource for language learning, accessible to anyone with a…