UMUC class any good?

[Blues]

I looked up the textbook for the Jap111 class, "Japanese for Busy People (romanized)" which has me concerned because A) The title of the book doesnt sound thorough B) I prefer NOT to use romanization because it reinforces bad habits of relying on english and some wacky pronunciations.

Anyone been to the class or seen the book? Any recommended structured classes on base?

[uriel]

it also has hiragana and katakana in it i believe. if i were you and i could go back in time, i'd do the homework in nothing but hiragana and katakana. i learned it in 2 weekends and i'm not stephen hawking or anything. i enjoyed the classes on foster 113 and 114. the teacher was helpful, there was a lot of interaction, and, well, she was an all around good teacher. i just wish i learned the kana earlier. i didn't start until a couple weeks into 113.

[dk]

I think MCCS has a free or extremely cheap class if you just want to learn Japanese...

But if this is as an elective for a degree, crap or not, why not?

[Blues]

so the material, knowledge, and experience worth signing up for?

I plan on learning more than whats required in the class for my personal goal.

[Blues]

I'm not really interested in Survivors Japanese or the VERY BASIC stuff like I got from some of the free classes I've been to in the past in other places.

[Crazysix]

so the material, knowledge, and experience worth signing up for?

I plan on learning more than whats required in the class for my personal goal.

its good for the basics but you are already a leg up on what you will be taught........for credit i would take it but for actual learning.....take it and real life conversation and interaction, both of which, you do now.

[dk]

I'm not really interested in Survivors Japanese or the VERY BASIC stuff like I got from some of the free classes I've been to in the past in other places.

Cool. If you take the UMUC one, let me know how it goes. I've thought about making an attempt to get my Japanese up to speed..... but I'll probably just wait four more years before making an attempt. :thumbup:

[Blues]

i would be mainly taking it to expand my vocabulary and learn some beginner grammar so I can get past the usual conversational one liners and form sentences on my own. I was hoping maybe an instructor could point me in the right direction.

Most of what i know is from online sources (about.com) and watching TV. I'd like to get some structure because I'm terrible at keeping discipline when the material gets dry and boring.

[uriel]

i went 111 to 114 through UMUC, and having no college experience previously, in my opinion, uh, it was better than high school. wow. yeah, only been to UMUC. oh well, better than nothing, right?

[Blues]

one bad thing is that UMUC wont let you skip any classes, you have to start at 111 no matter what level your proficiency is.

[dk]

one bad thing is that UMUC wont let you skip any classes, you have to start at 111 no matter what level your proficiency is.

Are you serious??? That's way lame......... In that case, just use some off base group or something.....

Better yet, get a mistress!

They'll at least teach you one word! IKU! IKU! AAAAAA IKU!!!! :D

[Blues]

Kimochiiiiiiiiiiiii is all I hear.

Where would I look to find an off base group? Okinawa Yellow pages?

[uriel]

you're not allowed to clep out?

[DoctorP]

You will learn hiragana and katakana in 111. It is worthwhile.

[P_chan]

I took that class, it wasn't all that bad. I forgot everything when I got married:D

[uriel]

You will learn hiragana and katakana in 111. It is worthwhile.

depends on the teacher. mine gave no importance to hiragana and katakana. although my teacher was about 100 y/o and this was about 8 years ago in iwakuni...

[dk]

Ok, at least two phrases! Okiii! Three! Wow, hell, do that! :D

[Blues]

you're not allowed to clep out?

I didnt think to ask, but if I tested for it I'd prolly fail. better to take an easy 111 class for free and do extra credit. :cool:

[DoctorP]

If you get Mieko Toma as your teacher, you will learn hiragana and katakana. She is very good. I had her for 111, and 112.

[dk]

I didnt think to ask, but if I tested for it I'd prolly fail. better to take an easy 111 class for free and do extra credit. :cool:

Hey, it's an easy A! :D

[Blues]

I took Korean last year, so I figure how long it would take to learn kana. But then Korean only took a weekend to figure out.

My favorite joke from my instructor, "Korean is a very scientific language only 24 characters, English has 104, and Japanese has over 100, Korean is very simple!" :D

[uriel]

I didnt think to ask, but if I tested for it I'd prolly fail. better to take an easy 111 class for free and do extra credit. :cool:

if you're military i don't believe you pay if you fail. you just can't take it again for a set period of time.

[dk]

I took Korean last year, so I figure how long it would take to learn kana. But then Korean only took a weekend to figure out.

My favorite joke from my instructor, "Korean is a very scientific language only 24 characters, English has 104, and Japanese has over 100, Korean is very simple!" :D

How do you say IKU!!!! in Korean?

[Blues]

if you're military i don't believe you pay if you fail. you just can't take it again for a set period of time.

True, but I just personally dont like failures on any report card for anything.
Plus I might meet some other students who would be willing to practice AB conversations.

[commando]

If it is based on the textbook series Japanese for Busy People (http://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Busy-People-I-Text/dp/4770018827), it should be pretty good. You can learn the kana on your own quickly and easily with the Remembering the Kana (http://www.amazon.com/Remembering-Kana-Hiragana-James-Heisig/dp/4889960724/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241617503&sr=1-2) book. Covers both hiragana and katakana, and should take a max of three hours each. Did it years back (was two separate books then), and it was very simple, yet effective. Should be able to pick one up at Tuttle Books, or one of the new big bookstores in Naha. Amazon.jp will have them, too.

[uriel]

failing a clep doesn't show up on any records as far as i know.

[Blues]

it will be recorded in my memories though. lol.

I hate failing grades for anything. I like to at least get passing if I tried my best.

[gtlm2000]

Oh....I want to teach japanese for you guys.....
I'm sad that's I'm in mainland now.

[Blues]

you can always teach ecchi nihongo, speaking of which, my new thread soon.

I said it here first! Dont steal my thready LOL

[gtlm2000]

you can always teach ecchi nihongo, speaking of which, my new thread soon.

I said it here first! Dont steal my thready LOL

hehehe :D I like to teach ecchi nihongo.

[dk]

How do you say IKU!!!! in Korean, goddammit?! :D

[Blues]

기분 총 아 is all i heard.

Is Iku = Go?

[TheLastDon]

기분 총 아 is all i heard.

Is Iku = Go?

Ah coming!:D

[gtlm2000]

I have hard funny story. One of Japanese girl had sex with American, and she said "Iku". American guy ask her where do you go? :D

[Blues]

나 온 다 = for men

오를 거 같 ㅇㅐ = for women

[gtlm2000]

If you can speak Japanese basic daily conversation, it will be OK.
I study English basic daily conversation first, and it took about 1 year.

[DJ Tak]

I'm taking the class currently (final is next week). Mieko Toma is the teacher. If you don't take anything else away from JAP111, I guarantee you that you will know how to read and write hiragana and you will understand the usage of all your particles (the real ass kicker).

[dk]

I could write hiragana and katakana in elementary school. There is nothing complicated about that part of the language at all...... It's just memorization.

[gtlm2000]

I can teach you all Japanese for free!! :thumbup: