Let’s start the Blog Project! For this class we would like you to keep a blog because it provides a place:
1. To share/express your happiness, surprise, excitement, and/or frustration, as well as any questions you might have, while learning the Japanese language (or any other topics).
- While studying new grammar and words is very important when learning a language, it is equally important to actually use the language in a real life context. You must not wait to express yourself only when you think you have mastered the language because language learning is basically an ongoing process. In the beginning you may use English or any languages to express yourself, but we recommend that you gradually switch to Japanese whenever you feel comfortable enough to express yourself in Japanese.
2. To communicate with your classmates and other people outside of class.
- Language learning is not limited to what you do for the course but also includes what you do and experience outside the class. We will create links to your classmates' blogs so you can see what other people think and feel about Japanese language learning (as well as other topics). Be encouraged to leave comments on your classmates' blog posts, too!
- We know that your Japanese language skills are limited, but you can convey your intended meaning more effectively by utilizing other resources such as pictures and videos. Remember that people utilize not only language but also other resources such as tone of your voice, music, body language, picture, color, font style and size for communication.
3. To reflect (or evaluate) what you have achieved as you learn the language.
- Sometimes it is challenging to see our own progress or growth. Blogs help you to look back and see how you have changed through the course of your Japanese language learning.
