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Should I Watch with Subtitles?

Many people feel uncomfortable with watching their favorite movies or TV shows without subtitles, afraid that they won't understand what's going on. However, they're also afraid that they won't be practicing listening if the subtitles are on. So, when you're learning Japanese, do you or don't you watch with the subtitles on.

My answer might not be very popular on this one, but I think it's okay to go ahead and watch with subtitles if you're really not far into the language. Now, once you're getting better, I'd rather you watch with the Japanese closed captions if you can find them, or at least try watching a bit without subtitles.

Here's how I first did it when I decided to wean myself off of subs:

a.) Watch an episode of Tenchi Universe (I already knew the whole series inside and out, so following it wasn't a problem) and try to understand it.

b.) Find scenes I had trouble with and turn the subs on.

c.) Rewatch episode with subs if it really threw me for a loop.

It's an easy process and shouldn't discourage you from giving it a go. It can actually really jump-start things, too, depending on the kind of show you're watching. For example, you might get more out of an episode of Azumanga Daioh than an episode from any of the Tenchi series, but oh well.

Leave a comment and let me know what you think of this.

Oh, and I got a new review up, but on my other blog. I might consider adding it to this blog, though, since it involves Japanese stuff. Basically, I found a way to mod the Wii for relatively cheap, without risking your system, and without that pesky mod chip.
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