Listening Comprehension

[kyubisharingan]

Im am studying Japanese solo(using GENKI 1) and im doing pretty good. GENKI is a great book for solo learners. But anyway, this problem of mine most likely will go away as i studying more, but my "big" problem is Listening Comprehension. lol, since Japanese people talk so fast, i catch probably a few words. For any of u self taught learners, or anyone, is there any tips i can use to "sharpen: my listening skills?

[kameron]

You could look into a technique called "shadowing" which is basically listening and repeating.

The website below sells some shadowing books but I cannot recommend them as I've never used them before. I have to admit my listening skills are my weakest point when it comes to Japanese.

http://www.whiterabbitpress.com

edit: come to think of it, my listening skills have recently been increasing rapidly from always talking to and corresponding with Japanese friends. Once you've got a bit more Japanese knowledge in your head try to find someone to do language exchange with.

[Anatoli]

You just have to continue doing what you're doing. Are you sure you will understand the same and quickly enough what you hear if it were written? It's not just listening comprehension - it's vocab, grammar, patterns, etc. Spoken Japanese may be different from written.

You can use Genki or any other book with audio for shadowing. Listen with the book and listen without the book. Try listening without first reading. How much can you catch?

Some fairy-tales with the accompanying text.
http://hukumusume.com/douwa/

NHK has Japanese news with audio.
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/2008/02/01/k20080201000019.html

NHK Online lessons (with transcripts):
http://www.nhk.or.jp/lesson/english/index.html

[Ryuk]

If you watch anime, try to work out what the characters are saying, even for simple things like oishii desu ne, etc. This will help train your ears to hear japanese sounds (which are quite different to western sounds). I know it's hard to listen to anime and not watch all the awesome stuff going on, but I've found it has helped me :)

[kameron]

If you watch anime, try to work out what the characters are saying, even for simple things like oishii desu ne, etc. This will help train your ears to hear japanese sounds (which are quite different to western sounds). I know it's hard to listen to anime and not watch all the awesome stuff going on, but I've found it has helped me :)
Japanese music will do the same trick, if you've got the lyrics handy then that'd be a good thing.

I usually listen to Puffy's songs on the bus while singing along in my head to the lyrics. It's a good way to learn the pronunciation of kanji too.

I love puffy, they're the best.

[magevampjoe]

Listen listen listen.

I try turning an Anime on and not looking at the screen. It works for me.

Listen to the news etc.
Also, go on windows media player, look for the radio tuner, type in Japan and you get some japanese news stations and other radio stations. That way you can help shapen your sense to the Japanese spoken language.