Guys, guess what! Somehow last month, I received the opportunity to interview the incredibly multi-talented Youtuber known as Kemushichan; Loretta Scott!Loretta's videos are fun, educational, and encourage us Japanese learners to challenge ourselves more within our studies. Her videos include Japanese lessons, study tips and tricks, and also interesting cultural facts about Japan and Japanese culture. With more than 10,000 subscribers (and growing) Loretta is considered an "Education Guru" on Youtube and has even been featured on a segment of NBC Nightly News for the way she uses Youtube as an outlet to educate others. But wait, there's more!
I think it's safe to say that all of us, here at Gaiwa, aspire to successfully learn this wacky language that we all know and love, and find a way to somehow incorporate Japanese into our careers someday. With that said, I really wanted to interview Loretta for you guys, so that she could serve as an inspiration and role model for all of us Japanese learners and aspiring Japanese/English entrepreneurs.
Hi! My name is Loretta Scott, or “KemushiChan” on YouTube and other forums. Both online and offline I work as a Japanese/English “edupreneur” by creating new resources to help people advance themselves in the US-Japan sphere.
How did you first get into Japanese, and how long have you been studying?
Formally, I took up Japanese as a freshman in High School. Now, 11 years later, I still use Japanese for work and in my daily life.
Your YouTube videos are so informative, and very entertaining to watch! In the beginning, what inspired you to make YouTube videos?
I started before “YouTube JAPAN” and the boom of J-vloggers. There were a few learning-themed Japanese vloggers, like Koichi from Tofugu and Applemilk1988, who gave language lessons through video, but the viewers were still asking how to really study from these lessons. That’s why I wanted to introduce meta-learning methods; the idea of teaching students to learn HOW to learn, which is an essential process for many self-taught speakers.
How has your Japanese audience reacted to your videos?
The response is great! I noticed that many viewers were sticking around over the years. That kind of support from a stranger across the world is really uplifting for your own studies.
Was it fun working with Mr. Trombley and Yes Japan? Do you have any stories about George or your collaborations with YJ?
George is fantastic! He really knows his stuff and some of his videos are just hilarious. I definitely recommend.
In your opinion, what's the most effective technique in learning Japanese?
My favorite is out-loud, repetitive speech-training. It’s important to realize that your tongue is a trainable muscle that also establishes muscle memory. I’m a poor “memorizer” but I know that if I repeat a phrase or sentence into an audio diary or back at a friend enough times it will internalize and eventually become easy to say without thinking.
I read that you make your own study materials. What makes your materials a good alternative to the other textbooks out there?
Yes! My study materials are personalized. So if I were a student, the textbook’s not about Takeshi and Susie going to a coffee shop, it’s a textbook about Loretta and how to do the things she likes in Japanese. I do this individually for my students but soon I’ll be releasing a special “public” set for everyone on my website www.KemushiChan.com. That way, students can sort of “choose their own adventure” with Japanese, and start speaking more quickly.
George is fantastic! He really knows his stuff and some of his videos are just hilarious. I definitely recommend.
Do you do anything musically other than producing audio tracks for your videos?
At the moment, no. But writing music has always been a part of my life since my father owns a music studio. I always try to reincorporate what I’ve learned where I can.
At the moment, no. But writing music has always been a part of my life since my father owns a music studio. I always try to reincorporate what I’ve learned where I can.
In your opinion, what's the most effective technique in learning Japanese?
My favorite is out-loud, repetitive speech-training. It’s important to realize that your tongue is a trainable muscle that also establishes muscle memory. I’m a poor “memorizer” but I know that if I repeat a phrase or sentence into an audio diary or back at a friend enough times it will internalize and eventually become easy to say without thinking.
What are some common mistakes you see in beginner Japanese language students that might set them back on the long road to fluency?
It’s really easy to be overwhelmed or frustrated when you realize just how much language there is to learn. That’s why it’s important to remember: language is for communicating, so start by finding a way to enjoy the social aspect of it. Every time you sit down to study something, make sure you also do something social with it (a tweet to practice the word? A comment in a language forum?). Language comes alive when it’s social.
What do you think Japanese learners struggle with the most? How do you overcome it?
Many students have trouble figuring out WHAT to study. But once you’ve got the basics down it’s not about memorizing everything, but about taking on conversational skills you find personally useful. If you focus on learning themes (“This week I want to learn how to talk about cooking in Japanese”) instead of grammar (“I want to learn grammar point XYZ”), then its easier to find and imitate real examples of the kind of talk you’re trying to achieve.
It’s really easy to be overwhelmed or frustrated when you realize just how much language there is to learn. That’s why it’s important to remember: language is for communicating, so start by finding a way to enjoy the social aspect of it. Every time you sit down to study something, make sure you also do something social with it (a tweet to practice the word? A comment in a language forum?). Language comes alive when it’s social.
What do you think Japanese learners struggle with the most? How do you overcome it?
Many students have trouble figuring out WHAT to study. But once you’ve got the basics down it’s not about memorizing everything, but about taking on conversational skills you find personally useful. If you focus on learning themes (“This week I want to learn how to talk about cooking in Japanese”) instead of grammar (“I want to learn grammar point XYZ”), then its easier to find and imitate real examples of the kind of talk you’re trying to achieve.
I read that you make your own study materials. What makes your materials a good alternative to the other textbooks out there?
Yes! My study materials are personalized. So if I were a student, the textbook’s not about Takeshi and Susie going to a coffee shop, it’s a textbook about Loretta and how to do the things she likes in Japanese. I do this individually for my students but soon I’ll be releasing a special “public” set for everyone on my website www.KemushiChan.com. That way, students can sort of “choose their own adventure” with Japanese, and start speaking more quickly.
As a professional interpreter, what difficulties do you face when interpreting? (For example: hearing unknown vocabulary, etc.)
With interpreting jobs you have to do your homework before hand. I used to give tours and interpret presentations a lot. In that case, it’s your job to also research what content will come up and make sure you are prepared to understand it.
Are you working on anything personally, or professionally, for the future that you would like to share?
2014 is going to be a big year for me, with a lot of new developments and announcements. For now, all I can say is please stay tuned!
Along with being an interpreter, I hear that you also do translation jobs! Have you had any interesting/funny things happen as a translator?
Well, there are always those things you just can’t (or maybe shouldn’t) translate…
If I am interested in becoming a translator, what direction would you give me?
Either get in with a reputable firm, or start by building on a network of friends and colleagues. Translation can be very hard to price (by time? By word?) but because of the work involved you have to be sure to take care of yourself!
Well, there are always those things you just can’t (or maybe shouldn’t) translate…
If I am interested in becoming a translator, what direction would you give me?
Either get in with a reputable firm, or start by building on a network of friends and colleagues. Translation can be very hard to price (by time? By word?) but because of the work involved you have to be sure to take care of yourself!
You seem to be somewhat of a renaissance woman. Besides being a musician, video producer, language teacher, entrepreneur, is there anything else you are passionate about that you would share with us?
I also love design work. Graphic design, website coding, etc. I love being creative and finding outlets where I can use all of these skills.
I also love design work. Graphic design, website coding, etc. I love being creative and finding outlets where I can use all of these skills.
There's been a lot of talk about your website, JapanScholar.com. Can you elaborate a little bit more about how it works to match people with available scholarships? (Is this for highschool students only?)
I created JAPANScholar to cut down on the amount of time students spend sifting through the internet for scholarships. It’s frustrating to think you’ve found something, only to realize you don’t qualify for some reason. With JAPANScholar, you select your background/academic profile and then it will provide you with the scholarships options you qualify for.
I created JAPANScholar to cut down on the amount of time students spend sifting through the internet for scholarships. It’s frustrating to think you’ve found something, only to realize you don’t qualify for some reason. With JAPANScholar, you select your background/academic profile and then it will provide you with the scholarships options you qualify for.
So, how do you "get to Japan"?
I recommend that everyone interested in Japanese should study abroad and do a homestay, even if just for a few weeks. If you keep up with the friends and family you meet there, you’ll always have someone to go back to and, more often than not, a free place to stay!
I recommend that everyone interested in Japanese should study abroad and do a homestay, even if just for a few weeks. If you keep up with the friends and family you meet there, you’ll always have someone to go back to and, more often than not, a free place to stay!
Are you working on anything personally, or professionally, for the future that you would like to share?
2014 is going to be a big year for me, with a lot of new developments and announcements. For now, all I can say is please stay tuned!
You can follow Loretta on Facebook and Twitter. Don't forget to stop by her Youtube channel, and say hello!
And if you liked this special, exclusive interview, please let us know in the comments section below, so that we can conduct more interviews for you guys. Feel free to suggest the names of those who you would like to see interviewed, and we'll try to make it happen!
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