Lacking the focus to learn Japanese? Doodling may help!

In my previous article, "Do we really need to learn to write in Japanese?", I spoke about how learning to write in Japanese is still important even if you won't use it much. It's the practice of doing it that helps you learn.

At times I am very easily distracted or lack the motivation to do the writing. When going through my kanji lists I can be tempted to skip writing it down. I get it done quicker, right? Well I am only fooling myself and delaying my studies by doing that.

A recent article by the BBC explains how doodling may help with memory recall. Let's face it, writing out kanji over and over or listening to the same audio lessons can get dull, but it doesn't have to be that way.

Experts said doodling stopped people from daydreaming, which was a more taxing diversion, and so was good at helping people focus on mundane tasks.

So when I find myself getting distracted whilst listening to audio or watching dramas I've taken to doodling as well as writing out the kanji/kana. It keeps me focused on the task of learning, rather than just lazily watching/listening, and helps with my writing skill too.

When studying the kanji, if I'm unmotivated to write them out, I make sure I still have a pen in my hand and paper in front of me and I doodle. I sometimes draw a more stylized version of the kanji, such as a graffiti version. Other times I will draw what I'm learning about, for example if I'm learning the kanji for forest I will draw a forest (like a 4 year old). I might not do it for every kanji, but at least it's better than not writing at all.

Doodling an image of what the kanji is about is similar to assigning a story to a kanji to help with memorization. If you have a regular doodle you do for forest, maybe with a fun twist to it you will find it a lot more easier to remember. I know from experience that the kanji I remember the best are the ones with strong images or memories attached to them. Even just remembering a silly sketch is helpful.

I still recommend writing the kanji out normally, but for times when you're tired from work, unmotivated or just feeling lazy then doodling is better than not writing at all.

Photo by schoschie

ikari7789 said on Thu 2009/03/05 16:16 JST:

HAHA... I really like the picture you choose for this article. He's asking him so politely, how could the little one refuse?

Tavon said on Sun 2009/03/15 15:26 JST:

I can't really say I "doodle" but I do do something "similar" I suppose. I'm trying to study Japanese while I'm in college, where I'm also in the choir. While learning music in choir, I frequently -- and I do mean FREQUENTLY -- write corresponding Japanese all over my music: I'll try to write the composers' name in katakana; translate the title or a section of lyrics in Japanese that I know; or I'll incorporate Kanji in my learning-music process. For instance, when we originally read through a song and sight read, if I happen to go to high, I'll write 下 around that section and the next time around, I know not to go as high as I originally thought. :) I do the same with 上. It helps with instantly knowing what a kanji means without having to think; I'm trying to find more kanji to incorporate: once I learn the kanji for おなじ, I'll add that, too. Just thought I'd share.

... And that picture is HILARIOUS!!

Chris Gaunt said on Mon 2009/04/06 11:51 JST:

That's a great way to learn. It's all about replacing daily actions with Japanese. The brain loves that stuff and holds on to it for longer. I've just started replacing my computer programs with Japanese versions, since I aim to work in IT in Japan and currently spend a lot of time in front of the computer it's the best way for me.

Stacy said on Sat 2009/05/02 04:38 JST:

would you not say 死ぬ 【しぬ】下さい　－　instead of しんで? Please let me know! :)

Cindy said on Tue 2009/05/05 14:46 JST:

You gotta love the spider, ne?