Ondoku - Learn Japanese by Reading

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Per Kevin

Learning Japanese can be a big challenge, especially for those who are not familiar with the structure of the language and its three writing systems: hiragana, katakana, and kanji. However, modern methods have transformed the study experience, and Ondoku [音読] is one of them. This tool combines reading and listening, helping students improve their language skills in a practical and immersive way.

Through Ondoku, it is possible to read texts in Japanese while listening to the correct pronunciation, which facilitates vocabulary assimilation and improves listening comprehension. Unlike traditional study methods, the focus here is the combination of visual and auditory, which makes learning more engaging and natural. Next, we explore how Ondoku can be used to boost your studies.

What is Ondoku?

Ondoku is a tool that uses text-to-speech (TTS) to convert text into audio. Specifically designed for those who wish to learn Japanese, it allows users to input any text in Japanese and receive an automatic reading of the content. This way, the student can follow along with the text while listening to the correct pronunciation of the words, correcting reading mistakes and learning typical intonations of the Japanese language.

This approach is especially useful for those who have difficulty understanding Japanese phonetics, as many kanjis have varied readings. In addition, constant contact with the natural sound of the language helps improve fluency and develop auditory memory, essential skills for communicating in Japanese.

Key benefits of Ondoku:

  • Pronunciation correction: The audios permitem that the student listens to show how the words should be pronounced.
  • Simultaneous reading and listening training: Reading accompanied by audio reinforces learning.
  • Flexibility: It is possible to use texts of different levels, from simple dialogues to advanced articles.
Ondoku - learn Japanese by reading

How Ondoku Facilitates Japanese Learning

The differential of Ondoku is its emphasis on the combination of reading and listening, a study strategy that has proven effective for learning any language. In the case of Japanese, this practice is especially important due to the complexity of the kanjis and the differences between written and spoken Japanese.

1. Improvement of Listening Comprehension

Frequent contact with the correct pronunciation is essential to develop good listening comprehension. Many students who learn Japanese in a traditional way have difficulty keeping up with spoken dialogues because the rhythm is faster or due to the nuances of everyday language. Ondoku allows you to practice with different types of texts, from news to literature, and adjust the reading speed to match your pace.

2. Vocabulary Expansion

In addition to improving hearing, Ondoku helps in the assimilation of new words in a contextualized manner. Instead of memorizing words in isolation, you learn them in the context of real sentences and texts, which facilitates retention. For example, by reading a news article or short story with audio, you assimilate both the written and the sound forms of the words, memorizing them more easily.

3. Motivation to Practice Daily

Another advantage of Ondoku is that it facilitates constant practice. As it allows the insertion of any type of text, the student can choose materials of their interest, such as manga, blogs, or news, making learning more enjoyable. The possibility of listening to texts while reading creates a healthy study habit, integrating learning into daily life without the need to dedicate hours to a grammar book.

Ondoku - learn Japanese by reading

How to Use Ondoku Efficiently

To get the most out of Ondoku, it is important to establish a study routine that combines different forms of learning. Here are some usage suggestions:

1. Practice with Simple Texts and Gradually Increase the Difficulty

If you are at the beginner level, start with texts in hiragana and katakana to familiarize yourself with the pronunciation of basic syllables. Gradually, include texts with kanji and more advanced vocabulary to expand your repertoire.

2. Use Authentic Material

Try inserting authentic texts, such as news articles, short stories, or transcriptions of everyday dialogues. This will allow you to learn not only formal words but also common expressions in spoken Japanese.

3. Adjust the Audio Speed

The Ondoku allows you to adjust the speaking speed. Start with a slower reading, especially if you are learning new kanjis, and gradually increase as you feel more comfortable. This will improve both your comprehension and your fluency when speaking.

Sites to Study with Ondoku

There are several platforms that offer support for learning Japanese using simultaneous reading and listening, complementing the use of Ondoku. Combining these sites with Ondoku enhances studies, as each resource contributes differently to language practice. Below, we list some platforms that can be integrated into your study with Ondoku.

1. NHK Easy Japanese News

The site "NHK Easy Japanese News" is an excellent source of news in simplified Japanese. It uses short sentences, basic vocabulary, and kanjis with furigana (small reading annotations), making it easier for students to understand. By combining these news articles in Ondoku, you can input the text and hear the correct pronunciation while reinforcing kanji reading and information interpretation in the language.

  • Why use?
    • Updated and relevant texts.
    • Furigana to facilitate the reading of kanji.
    • Practice with vocabulary on current topics.

2. Tadoku (Leitura de leitores graduados em japonês)

Tadoku offers graded reading books, organized into different levels of difficulty. The platform's philosophy is "read a lot without worrying about every word," encouraging continuous and natural practice. Integrating Tadoku with Ondoku allows you to listen to the reading of the texts and absorb the correct pronunciation while following the material visually.

  • Why use?
    • Books with various themes and adapted for different levels.
    • Stimulus for fluid reading, without interruptions.
    • Resources that encourage the pleasure of reading in the language.

3. Satori Reader

The Satori Reader is ideal for students who want to improve both reading and listening skills. It offers texts accompanied by professional audio recorded by native speakers, as well as detailed explanations about grammar and vocabulary. If you prefer a more personalized practice, you can copy excerpts from the texts and insert them into Ondoku to hear the automatic pronunciation.

  • Why use?
    • Engaging texts with high-quality audio.
    • Tools for grammatical analysis and vocabulary.
    • Difficulty adjustment based on your learning level.

How to Integrate These Features into Ondoku

By combining Ondoku with sites like NHK, Tadoku, and Satori Reader, you turn your learning into a richer and more dynamic experience. The idea is always to vary the texts and themes so that the practice of reading and listening remains interesting.

Try to create a routine with morning news from NHK, weekly readings from Tadoku, and in-depth studies with Satori Reader. This way, you will always be in contact with the language in different ways, reinforcing each aspect of Japanese in a balanced manner.

Conclusion

Ondoku is a powerful tool for those who want to learn Japanese by reading and listening at the same time. By providing a more dynamic and natural study experience, it becomes an excellent alternative to traditional teaching methods. Integrating reading and listening into daily life is essential for gaining fluency and confidence in the language, and Ondoku offers precisely that opportunity.

With it, learning Japanese stops being a monotonous task and transforms into an interactive and enjoyable process. Therefore, if you are looking for an efficient and motivating way to study Japanese, trying Ondoku may be the missing step to enhance your skills.

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