はじめまして！

Blogging Project:

Welcome to the Blogging Project! For this class I would like you to keep a blog because it provides a place:

1) To share/express your happiness, surprise, excitement, and/or frustration, as well as any questions you might have, while learning the Japanese language (or any other topics).

While studying new grammar and words is very important when learning a language, it is equally important to actually use the language in a real life context. You must not wait to express yourself only when you think you have mastered the language because language learning is basically an ongoing process. In the beginning you may use English or any languages to express yourself, but I recommend that you gradually switch to Japanese whenever you feel comfortable enough to express yourself in Japanese.

2) To communicate with your classmates and other people outside of class.

Language learning is not limited to what you do for the course but also includes what you do and experience outside the class. For this project I will ask you to form a group with two or three students. The purpose of the group is to encourage and monitor each other (e.g., leaving a comment on each other’s blog and making sure everyone is following the schedule). I will ask you to change groups once or twice during the semester.

I will also create links to your classmates' blogs as well as blogs by students in other sections, other levels, and other schools, so you can see what other people think and feel about Japanese language learning (as well as other topics). You are also encouraged to leave comments on these blogs.

3) To reflect (or evaluate) what you have done so far.

Sometimes it is challenging to see our own progress or growth. Blogs help you to look back and see how you have changed through the course of your Japanese language learning.

(How to Open a Blog Account)
In order to open a new blog account, please follow the instructions. If you have any technical questions (how to open a blog, how to type in Japanese, etc.), please send an e-mail to ss903@columbia.com

1) Go to http://www.blogger.com to create your blog.
* In order to receive comments from as many people as possible, please select "Settings," then "Comments," and choose "Anyone" under the "Who can comment" section.
*If you want to know how to type Japanese, please click the link listed on the right side.

2) Send your blog address to the instructor (ss903@columbia.edu).
*If you have trouble opening a new account, please let me know.
*If you already have a blog and you can use Japanese on it, you do not have to open a new account.

3) Post a blog entry once a week.
* If you have no idea about what to write, please see the following suggested topics.

I can read Japanese!
In speaking Japanese!
Reasons I am studying Japanese
My dream
My Japanese friends
Japanese grammar vs. English grammar
Speaking vs. Writing
Listening vs. Reading
My daily schedule
I have no time to study!
I spent so much time studying, but..
My hobbies
My classmates
What I like/dislike about Japan or Japanese
Daily news
Japanese writing system
Kanji
Japanese vocabulary
Favorite lab exercise
Voc quiz
My favorite Japanese TV show, movie, or anime

You can also use pictures!

(Evaluation)
In the end of the semester your blog will be evaluated by the instructor, your classmates as well as yourself. We will discuss the criteria of evaluation in the middle of the semester.