The Heisig method

Use mnemonics to learn kanji.

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Pro’s

Easily recognise and differentiate kanji.Give each kanji a simple, “general” meaning.Heisig claims it’s possible to learn the general

meanings of over 2,000 kanji in under two months.

Primitives

• Fundamental strokes by which kanji are made up—Heisig’s way of breaking down kanji.

• Each primitive serves as an image for our imagination

• Primitives can also be kanji

• 十 口

An old mouth with only ten teeth

•古

Lake

湖

Faith

•信

•神

Downsides

• Do not learn pronunciation• No grammar learnt• It’s not easy—it takes time and a lot of effort

to finish

Kanji in Context

• Context is key• Works very well for those who have finished

Heisig. • Learn pronunciation of kanji, learn words and

how to use them effectively.

あなたは神を信じますか。

TV and reading

• Use your knowledge from Heisig to expand your vocabulary by reading short books

• Put interesting phrases and sentences into Anki

• Use the phrases in real life

You’re in Japan—make the most of it

• Join a club• Talk to the office staff• Read the adverts on trains• Talk to your TV• Use every opportunity to speak Japanese• Say the phrases you learnt in Anki in real life

situations