Starting fresh with V3

I'm quite interested in learning Japanese too, as well as using chinesepod for.. welll Chinese :) THis is obviously the best place for learning Mandarin... but just out of interest what have you found best for Japanese?

The first thing I would like to say is that I look at language learning quite differently now compared to when I started studying Japanese. When I began doing that I focused on memorizing vocabulary lists and grammar points from textbooks but I've realized that while that method actually worked for a while it wasn't nearly as effective as focusing on dialogs and interactions and allowing vocabulary and grammar to be acquired rather than studied. So, with that approach to language learning (which I suppose you also adhere to, being here on CPod!) I would suggest the following tools: JapanesePod101.com - Similar to CPod and a great way to get started. Skype - Find someone to talk to as soon as possible. It's scary and embarrassing in the beginning but I found so many helpful people willing to talk to me and you can gauge your progress very easily by the length of the conversations you can have. Remembering the Kanji - This book really worked for me as a complement to other methods since it made remembering the meanings and forms of kanji so much easier. It doesn't teach you how to use kanji but I loved it. Here is an Amazon link: http://tinyurl.com/229tqg Textbook - I still think you should get a textbook as well but try not to be bogged down by vocab lists or grammar. I definitely recommend the Genki-series which works great for self-study. Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/yvnbhp I've saved the best things until last: Friends, movies, games, manga, books etc. When studying becomes boring, just immerse yourself in the language, have fun, enjoy yourself and the desire to understand everything without dictionaries all the time will come back. And trust me, it can be achieved in quite a short time. I have lots more to say on this subject but this should get you started. Good luck, or as I should say がんばって！

David, Great to hear from you. I actually majored in Japanese, and lived there for my second year of study. I only ever got to JLPT level 2, because level 1 wasn't a requirement for my program (the program wasn't the greatest), and after I graduated I came to China. I've hardly practiced my Japanese in 6 years, but I really want to get back into it. I need to start using Skype!

Good luck with getting back into Japanese! I love the language and now mostly read novels and talk to friends to keep it fresh. I really think that knowing both can have some nice synergies as well, especially concerning the characters. I really look forward to be able to read novels in Chinese since I felt that gave me a lot of insights when studying Japanese both regarding the language and the culture. Finally, thanks again for the amazing work with V3.