掲示板 Forums - What does your stats look like?

I'm curious about how you all are studying Japanese on renshuu :3
More specifically, the kanji and words stat since they tell quite a lot about your specific way to study.
For example, mine look like that:

Don't mind the recent stat, I've been focusing on speaking and listening recently except for a few word as well as slowy studying a few kanji.
And it's taking quite a while since it's almost like... physical training xD. My mouth "muscles" still struggle to move like a native :v. And also, I still think too much when I try to speak...

But other than that, I'm 言葉派 ("words faction"～). My words to kanji ratio is 10:1 roughly and if I could, I would go for more but if I do, I will lose my mind

Some people may wonder why my meaning vector is so low but it's just because, at some point, I stop studying the meaning vector anymore to avoid thinking in english. For words, I just look at the kanji and for the kanji, I look at the JP def or the reading (since the kunyomi often give the meaning). And when I really need to remember as specific meaning, I use sentences with the basic question instead. Like, it's my equivalent of the "meaning vector".

I also studying only until mastery 4 or 5 with the "drop mastery to 0%" setting when I make a mistake (except for kanji which I study even beyond level 9). To avoid review overload mainly and also just, immersion "replace" the higher level. Like, if can't remember/recognize a word, I re-add them to schedule and set their mastery to 0. And if don't encounter a specific word while consuming Japanese content, then it's whatever. Might as well forget it. Like immersion help me to decide which word I should put more effort studying or not. Because I'm not living in Japan and there are a few everyday common words that I just forgot simply because I never encounter them anywhere. On the other hand, even if don't use them, when I finally study the kanji of those common words, they are way easier to remember.

Anyway, that's roughly how I use renshuu after adjusting it over the years :D
I'm curious about other people now. I know some people never change the basic vectors for (Kanji -> Kana, Kanji -> Meaning and Meaning -> Kanji) while some just use 2 vector (Kanji -> Kana and Kanji -> Meaning). Some people also only study the meaning vector for the kanji (the opposite of me xD). Etc.
I also wonder if there are people that have strange/uncommon ways to use renshuu :3

PS: For beginners, I also used renshuu without touching any of the setting at the beginning. It's just that I found my method over the years after experimenting with renshuu (even the "drop mastery to 0%" setting is recent, I started to use it last year only). So it's not necessary to change the base setting but it can be fun and worth it in the long term.

Here's mine!

My order is "Made schedule > Words > Kanji > Sometimes Grammar (Quizzes)" Because right now im focusing on N4 grammar.
For Kanjis, I do mainly on' and kun'. I think I would (in the future) also use the vector of drawing kanji.

@ギョルギ九十三

"PS: My focus is almost entirely on improving my reading ability. It's absolutely abysmal compared to my listening comprehension and vocabulary breadth..."

Really? I though you were more like from the "reading type". Especially while looking at your kanji stat (since you've studied more kanji than me). But I guess, I kinda assume most people on renshuu are from the "reading faction". Now that I think about, you kinda said multiple time x)

In my case, I'm more balanced, I guess? When I know the kanji, I'm able to guess the reading/meaning most of the time. And that's why I'm sticking to my 10:1 words to kanji ratio. But that's only true for the one I've studied. And I'm kinda frustrated by my pace. Because it's costly to maintain that ratio
But at least, past that, I'm feel like I'm "done". I'm still studying even the basic kanji with a all in one schedule and occasionaly lowering the mastery of some kanji from to time to time tho (for some uncommon reading for example). And restudying them for more advanced reading too.

@セージ

"My order is "Made schedule > Words > Kanji > Sometimes Grammar (Quizzes)" Because right now im focusing on N4 grammar."

さすが、「Core Japanese」の管理者 è_é

"For Kanjis, I do mainly on' and kun'. I think I would (in the future) also use the vector of drawing kanji."
Oh, really? But I guess you did focus for a while on the meaning based on your stat and now, you're focusing the reading?
As for the drawing part, yeah, take your time xD
It's nice but costly x)

@GD_V

"This wasn't a very good decision, because they accumulated like crazy and I'm still going through those reviews"
Yeah x)
That what make most beginners gave up usually. It's called "review overload" and if you're not careful, it hit hard.
That's also why, apparently (?), quite a lot of member study only until mastery 5. マイコー wrote an article about that somewhere

"I started learning kanji about two months in and right away decided that readings are not for me. I focused on recognizing the meaning of a kanji on sight and discover readings as I proceed with vocab."

Good part of that is that learning new word and remembering their meaning will be easier sooner :D (And it doesn't force you to be slow like me ).

"About six months ago I also added a sentence schedule to my routine (I study daily, each morning). These are very useful and help me contextualize words and phrases!"
Yeah sentences are the best. After a while, when I was able to understand the structure of sentences, I just switched to the basic questions because it takes less time and the structure was not really useful anymore. It really helped to save a lot of time and since I only use that vector :3

"My quiz % is relatively low, because I hide all words, kanji, and sentences that I feel somewhat confident about, so I'm left only with those I struggle with."

I do something similar by removing all the terms past a certain level. Because sometimes, I encounter a word or a sentences that I forgot and re-add to a schedule. I also re-add list of word to schedule from time to time. And it can be a hassle to un-hide them each time (Well, I could just use the advanced tool of renshuu, but just not hiding the words anymore give less trouble xD)

"Hope this helps!"
Yeah, it was very interesting, thank you! :D

なるほどね

So, basically, you learned more like a native first (or how anyone their first language xD)
Ironically, I think it's the best method, more precisely order, to learn a language. I met a lot of people that just don't study neither kanji nor grammar or even hiragana and just go an language community to try to speak to natives from day 1 (and learn from them). They usually are able to reach minimal speaking and listening fluency in a year or two. But ironically, that kinda make "lazy" too. Like they are able to somewhat communicate even with one word or some broken japanese or basic expression from day 1. And they kinda become addicted to that and just repeat the process for while until they can handle basic conversation. BUT, after that, they slow down. And the only things that could help them go beyond that level would be to study formally with a textbook or app. But they struggle to motivate themselves since, well, they are already able to enjoy themselves even with their broken pieces of knowledge. And some also reach quite a decent level. Like I though some were already at "native level" (whatever that means). But it more like they are "expert" at some specific conversation to the point they sounds almost identical to a native (For greetings and small talk for example). But they are also happy with their half-native level, so whatever xD

The one that manage to motivate themselves tho, and start or continue to study more "formaly", do progress faster than most people.
Also, reading is just the hard part of japanese, so yeah x)

漢字の勉強は無限だからさ ("You can study kanji for the rest of your life" if a beginner is reading)
Like, I was curious about what 自ら really meant the other, because I don't see it that often, and at the same time, I wondered what 自 really meant as well as what each of its specific readings meant too. Well, guess what? In 自ら, there is から like in 自ずから too. Another reading of 自 is also より, which we talked about the other day, and is often compared to から. And 自ら is often used to mean "oneself, personally, on one’s own initiative, by one’s own action". So just 自分で/自分から basically x).
Never though that some god damn "not taught at school" reading, that I swore I would never study, would enlight me on the meaning of a common word x)
So, yeah, written japanese is hard.

PS: If a beginner read this, I "like" kanji and that why, I know that kind of stuff. But otherwise, it absolutely not required to know that kind of stuff and even natives don't usually think about that to that degree. Just in case, someone imagine that any of that is needed in order to learn japanese. Just no. But if you want AND if you like kanji, yeah, it can be that complicated :3 (and fun too :D)

Interesting, quite a lot of people have a lower ratio of word to kanji than I though.
But I guess, at the same time, it doesn't mean you learned all your vocab on renshuu too.
Also, past the first thousand kanji, kanji tend to have less vocab too.

Oh and at almost 3000 kanji, I mean, it's good enough to have "only" 80% of correct answer xD.
I'm not even sure that I will study until 3000 kanji on renshuu. I will probably continue to learn kanji but maybe not "study" them.
Except if I try the kanji kentei Pre-1級. Definitly won't study the one past 3000 tho. Well, I say that but I still ended up studying some "Not taught at school" reading, so who knows? x)

And yeah, it was useful, thanks :D

"Just finished N5 words/N4 kanji so I'm happy and taking a break from learning new things to solidify those. I went on kind of a sprint and have a lot of reviews in words at least."

Best way to learn in my opinion =p
Just let them sink. And if you struggle with some, just block them for now or try to study to study them in context with a sentence for example. Studying problematic words at the same time can prevent you to remember the easy one. It's fine to ignore them until you regain some "mental energy" and motivation. One of the best of renshuu is that it will remember those words for you anyway (every single one).
Alternatively, you could studying them in sentences but since you're motivation is slipping, I don't recommend that. + It's also just your brain telling you "Let me finish digesting that PLEASE, otherwise, I'm gonna throw a tanthrum at some point".

As for grammar, well, it's fine to... force yourself to learn grammar WHEN you are motivated. But right now, you have the right to enjoy your achievement too. Because it is achievement that did cost you a lot of effort =p
Ah and just a trick, if you want to try, but grammar is easier to learn when you need it (compared to when you think you should study it). And an easy way to trigger is to study simple sentences until you encouter one that you can't understand at all.

"I'm worried to start speaking because I do not have a good handle on pronunciations of words at all and I feel like I might form bad habits."
Hum, simplest way to prevent is just to go a language exchange communities (like discord or VRChat). It's free and full of fellow language learners =p
Everyone know what it is to learn a language. And native speakers will glady help on that as well as providing the best feedback possible which is: "Sorry, I didn't understand, can you repeat that?"
That will immediately help to get rid of the "real" bad habits. Not all of them but the ones you should be concerned about at least.
Otherwise, lot of immersion and shadowing can prevent most real bad habits. As for the others, up to you if you want to correct them.
But you don't need to at least. Some people may even like those leftovers. Like a fun or cute... quirk? Is that the correct word here? Even have some people told me to not get rid of those in a very serious tone (Or saw other people being told the same things)

Anyway, most important is just "Congratz! And take your time to appreciate your achievement" =p

PS: Another moderatly low ratio of words to kanji... most people do end up studying like that

​Not really doing focus review (actually in my case, never)

It's just a matter of being consistent, the words end up getting in your head quite easily after a while. The more words you know, the easier. It's like doing a puzzle of 500 pieces, at first it's the most challenging part because you have 500 puzzle pieces waiting to be put where they belong. With some time and effort though you will be able to piece the puzzle together and it should get easier and easier towards the end because most puzzle pieces should already be put together, so finding missing pieces become relatively easier. Same thing with getting better accurarcy within renshuu.

When I was a beginner, I reduced the amount of new words and blocked problematic words (either indefinitly or studying them only once I'm done with the schedule or list).

At intermediate level, learning new terms just became easier (because of kanji, relationship between terms, overall better japanese level, more cultural knowledge about japanese, etc). It's really a different world. Like learning a new word with kanji that you've already "mastered" is incredibly more easier. There are pattern that you will internalize and will make new word easier to remember.

As for the focus review, you can do it if you want. I used that technique for a while. But the problem is that it double the amount of review and also make me review words I don't need to review. And it didn't go well with my setup.

Also, it's just general stat. I have some schedules where my percentage can drop a lot more. Especially when I learn a bunch of new words or new kanji at the same time. Like that day for a kanji schedule =p

But overall, I found a "setup" that make me learn more easily over time. And my overall japanese knowledge help a lot too. But at the beginning, you don't need any "trick". You just need to be consistent and not too greedy (relatively to your level).

Shamugan (06月30日, 9:48)

When I was a beginner, I reduced the amount of new words and blocked problematic words (either indefinitly or studying them only once I'm done with the schedule or list).

At intermediate level, learning new terms just became easier (because of kanji, relationship between terms, overall better japanese level, more cultural knowledge about japanese, etc). It's really a different world. Like learning a new word with kanji that you've already "mastered" is incredibly more easier. There are pattern that you will internalize and will make new word easier to remember.

As for the focus review, you can do it if you want. I used that technique for a while. But the problem is that it double the amount of review and also make me review words I don't need to review. And it didn't go well with my setup.

Also, it's just general stat. I have some schedules where my percentage can drop a lot more. Especially when I learn a bunch of new words or new kanji at the same time. Like that day for a kanji schedule =p

But overall, I found a "setup" that make me learn more easily over time. And my overall japanese knowledge help a lot too. But at the beginning, you don't need any "trick". You just need to be consistent and not too greedy (relatively to your level).

​I appreciate the insight. This is very clarifying to know that it should get easier once I accumulate a larger library of prior knowledge.

I actually came to Renshuu after maxing out the free tier on WaniKani, so there's been a bit of an adjustment period getting used to the features and SRS differences. WaniKani's SRS is more frequent, at least initially, which made it easier for me to maintain a high score, while Renshuu's appears to be more drawn out. I'm eager to get past the beginner stage now :)