ようこそ。
Same here about using an English textbook. I’m from Denmark but I found nothing in Danish that seemed like something I could actually use for something. Anyway learning in another language can only make you strengthen in the language, so I think it actually is a good thing.

You have no idea how difficult it was for me to write a smiley and a heart. Normally I never type such things.

ようこそ。
TextFugu makes things much easier indeed. Koichi (the author of TextFugu) will greatly arm you and prepare you to your adventure of Japanese studies.

I like Justins suggestion about reading subtitles for a show.

The wonderful ting about Koichis vocab deck is that all the words is recorded for you. Another little thing which I think might help, is just close your eye (or just don’t look at the screen) before you continue to the next card in the deck. Then press space (the same as showing answer), and you’ll hear the word pronounced (if you have turned sound on), then try to recall the word from hearing it instead of reading it.
The way I practice this is by switching between hearing and reading the vocab every time I get a card correctly.

I would also suggest you to use mnemonics if you don’t already do. And instead of just imagining the mnemonics, try to imagine them happening at a place you know. Perhaps in your room, or living room, or somewhere at the school you went to as child, or anywhere else. It’ll help you to recall them much easier.

I think the best pace is the pace where you don’t get frustrated but you can see you do progress. I think the second best is when you get just a little frustrated but not stressed.

ようこそ。
I think you are the first I’ve “met” who likes Japan because of films without mentioning anime. I actually no nothing about Japanese films from between the 50′ies and 70′ies. Any specific movies you think is particular interesting?

About learning Japanese in the short term, perhaps this article would be interesting to you.
http://www.tofugu.com/2013/09/25/what-i-learned-about-learning-japanese-from-spending-3-weeks-in-taiwan/

It is my personal favorite tofugu-article and I’ve mentioned it several times in the forum here but I think it is worth reading to give you a little extra kick in the beginning if you want it.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by  Cimmik.

When you use は between a noun and a verb, は tells you who or what is doing the thing. When you use the particle を instead then it tells to what (or who) the verb is done.
Please not that when を is used as an particle (as in this case) it is pronounced like an お.

So
「ゆうめいな　いしゃ　は　みました」= “The famous doctor saw.”
Because the は particle tells you who is doing the action.

「ゆうめいな　いしゃ　を　みました」= “I saw the famous doctor”
Because the を particle tells you what the action was done to.

If it isn’t obvious who is doing the action you can use は to tell it was you.
「わたし　は　ゆうめいな　いしゃ　を　みました」= “I saw the famous doctor.”

Japanese prefer not to tell who is doing things if it is obvious from context.

Another example of the difference between は and を.
「すし　を　たべます」= “I will eat sushi”
「すし　は　たべます」= “Sushi will eat” This don’t make sense because sushi can’t eat.

Any questions?

ようこそ!
It sounds like you already got a nice foundation for learning Japanese. I’m curious. Do your close family speak Japanese?
You said Japanese video games have helped you. Which have you played?

Good luck from me too.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by  Cimmik.