Why is the Stackz system optimal for learning Japanese?
When learning Japanese, two big phases can be distinguished:
- The initial effort for beginners is considerable for the Japanese language. Several hundreds of kanji must be mastered before they can be used in context. Very likely, this initial phase is causing big feelings of frustration.
- Stackz increases the feeling of success in this initial phase with the proficiency representation using colors. It is simple and motivating to move the cards towards the right side, and keep them at a bright color. Details...
- The PocketPC version of Stackz increases the motivation further by allowing short learning sessions at any place. Details...
- For advanced students, the amount of mastered kanji becomes considerable, and kanji that are rarely encountered tend to be forgotten. Without effort, the kanji proficiency is quickly lost.
- Stackz allows to minimize the time invested to retain the proficiency. This is important when an intensive learning phase is over, e.g. after a university course or after returning from Japan to one's home country. Details...
- With the PocketPC version of Stackz, unused moments of one's daily life can be turned into wisely spent time to refresh the Japanese proficiency. Details...
How dows Stackz support learning of the Japanese language?
- Display Japanese text on western Windows
Stackz allows to display the Japanese text on all western Windows (Win 95 or later). For that purpose, a Japanese TTF font is required. There are many Japanese TTF fonts available on the net. Links to Japanese TTF fonts...
- Enter Japanese characters with the Microsoft IME
If the Microsoft IME is installed ony your system, it can be used to enter Japanese characters in numerous places in the Stackz software. More details...
- Enter Hiragana and Katakana with the Stackz Kana input mode
If the Microsoft IME is not installed on your system, Stackz offers to enter Hiragana and Katakana with its own Kana input mode. More details...
- Dictionary Integration
There are many Japanese EDICT formatted dictionaries available. Stackz allows to add multiple EDICT dictionaries (with or without index file). The dictionary resources can be used conveniently a reference during learning, or to copy/paste words into a new wordlist.
The dictionary interface allows to automatically extract all words from Japanese text. This feature can be used to speed up text comprehension on the web or to create a text related study wordlist.
- Kanji reference
The kanji reference is seamlessly integrated in the Stackz dictionary system. There are two tools making use of the kanji reference: The Kanji of a Japanese word in the study list or retrieved by the dictionary tool can be quickly looked up in the KanjiInfo dialog, and the KanjiSelect tool allows to find Japanese characters.
- Extensive Wordlist archive
There are more than houndred Japanese wordlists in the online archive. Visit the archive to find a list which caters to your needs and start learning with the Stackz flashcard organizer immediately!
Submissions of new wordlists are honored with a 50% discount on the purchase of a Stackz license. Details are here.
The Stackz System
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