Online Resources for Japanese Language Learning (Anki, Kanji Koohii)

I previously wrote on a technique to aid memorization of the Kanji used in everyday life in Japan. In this post, two applications will be discussed. First, a flashcard application to put Heisig learning into practice in the most efficient way possible (and indeed, any other Japanese learning you might decide to do too). Secondly, a web based application that will help take your learning from the useful, but abstract principles of Heisig into the more realistic realm of learning real words and vocabulary, again with scheduling algorithms that will help make your learning as efficient as possible.

Anki

Anki is a free to download piece of flashcard software. Based on the principles of SRSes or, Spaced Recognition Systems, Anki intelligently schedules flashcard repetitions based on your rate of success or failure of previous reviews, taking the work out of having to decide what to review, and when. Successfully complete consecutive reviews of a card, and the length of time between reviews will increase exponentially, the idea being that, as a card becomes more reinforced in your mind, you can remember the card for a longer time. Fail a review, and you’ll start at the beginning of the curve again, requiring a review after less than a day. This intelligent method of scheduling means that the data you put into the system will always be display just before, or just as you forget it, maximising learning efficiency. It should be added however that Anki needs to be used daily to really experience its full benefits. Take too many breaks away from it, and it messes with the intelligent scheduling effect.

Anki actually doesn’t care what data you put into it, you can use it to learn anything, school notes, cocktail names, capital cities. Many people use it for different things, though it seems the most popular use of it is for language learning. Within the software, you can download pre-prepared decks, including a large number of Japanese decks. The previously mentioned <Heisig method> is down-loadable as a deck, and works especially well with this software.

Anki, (and the other popular SRS reviewers Supermemo) are free to download. A web based SRS reviewer, SuruSuru, is also available.

Readthekanji.com

Readthekanji.com is a website for learning Japanese words. The site provides an incredibly clean and fast interface, as well as organizing its words in line with the current JLPT levels to help with learners attempting to tackle these exams. In this software, a word pops up in kanji, along with an example sentence, and you must then type the word in a box underneath. This software confers a number of benefits to the user:

- Like SRSes, this software provides some intelligent scheduling in order to both add cards to the current learning pile gradually, and to increase/decrease reviews depending on your success or failure rate.
- Each example sentence provided gives a realistic sample of Japanese, as well as a naturally translated English version to check it against. Being able to see the word in the context of a sentence really helps with cementing the meaning and nuance of the word in your head.
- Can be used to learn kanji of different JLPT levels, and even hirigana and katakana if you are a beginner.
- Provides beautiful statistics in order to measure your progress over time, over both the JLPT levels, and across a grid of all Joyo kanji.

This site really takes a lot of the effort out of learning kanji and is a pleasure to use. Unfortunately, it is no longer free (although accounts created prior to charging will be honoured as free), but it is really worth the $10 sign-up for a lifetime membership (and additionally, you can get the hirigana, katakana, and JLPT4 decks as part of a free trial).

In the next post, a couple of other killer applications to help with your learning, and the 10,000 sentences method of learning will b discussed. Until then, enjoy using Anki and readthekanji.com to improve your Japanese on a daily basis. Remember, if you know more than you knew yesterday, then you are improving. Good luck!