Speach help

[raitsuki]

i've been studying for over a year now and I can read all of the 4th level kanji and some of the 3rd level but I can hardly know the readings for the 4th level kanji
and I need help! also I have serious trouble speaking japanese!
I can write good but I speak it not so good... how can I overcome this?

[saraLynne]

Without an environment to practice in regularly, I'm afraid there's no easy solution to this problem. Speaking is often the most troublesome obstacle to the self-study student. Classroom students benefit from having a ready-made group to practice with, guided by someone who knows what they're doing.

You may look to joining a class. If that's not possible, then I suppose you might look into some various audio courses. Maybe try to find Pimsleur at your local library (it is expensive to buy).

Further failing that, watching japanese dramas and trying to mimic them may help, but that's really a long shot. Whatever you do, don't try to imitate anime. Often, characters in Anime are uncharacteristically brash or rude, and would not be good examples to follow.

You could also look into getting a chat program like Skype and finding some japanese people to talk with.

Skype
The Mixxer
Japanese Drama lists/reviews

[TsukimiyaAyu]

I really don't like pimsleur. Also a good place to practice is with a mic on yahoojp chat. =3

[AJBryant]

Quick point:

You speak. You give a speech. You speak a speech.

Tony

[Yudan Taiteki]

One thing you need is a place not only where you can speak, but where you can get correction as well. Pretty much only a class or well-trained tutor will do that.

[Infidel]

If I weren't always being corrected here, I'd be so stupifyingly wrong. It boggles my mind.

[izokon]

If you are having trouble due to lack of vocabulary, I think it would be a good idea to concentrate on learning more words first. And I also think that the most important thing for improving your speaking ability is to get a lot of listening practice, and hear how native speakers talk.

[tatore]

If your having trouble speaking, maybe you should take some time off from writing
and practice more on speach.



P.S. I know how you feel im not so good at speach myself.

[clay]

speech

[Yudan Taiteki]

izokon wrote:
And I also think that the most important thing for improving your speaking ability is to get a lot of listening practice, and hear how native speakers talk.

Practice and correction is more important than passive listening, but they're all important.