Opinion on freeflow immersion without subtitles?

[rigid fiber]

Hi Hi, I'm still at around 2A level and I got some advice that I should look into doing immersion without subtitles. I can see the benefit of doing it, since you're listening skills would increase a lot more, but I'm still kind of curious if its much better to just watch something with japanese subtitles. Since then, you could look up words and mine sentences. Nofi was talking about it in the general chat earlier and they say they learned from watching without subs but I'm curious if anyone else has tried this out?

[boreal aspen]

It will improve your listening, but it's not the most efficient way to learn. If you feel like you understands nearly every sentence, then sure, but until then I think you would benefit from subtitles more. If you read on the side as well as watch sub less, then that would also work.

[mortal glade]

I’ll add that your level of interest in developing listening skill versus comprehension helps out. I get a dopamine hit from understanding japanese (even now if the speech was complex/fast/etc), and when I first turned off subs in early 2B it was extraordinarily tough BUT I once that skill built up it made me incredibly happy to understand things with audio alone and that helped me learn faster. If that’s not something you think you’ll experience, you’re much more likely to learn quicker and make it to 2C sooner if you have subs. Either way, you’re looking at maybe a 2-4 week adjustment period depending on how strong your reading skill is so don’t be discouraged by the drop in comprehension whenever you make the switch. On the topic of mining, yes, it is harder, but I’ve found I still learn lots of words just by free flowing. This will become more frequent as your vocab increases.

[runic parrot]

Without subs 100%

[rigid fiber]

I'm still at around 700 words mature, and 1300 words in learning. Would it be a good idea to transition into no subs, or should I just stay with subs till a certain point?

[runic parrot]

If your priority is learning words watch with subs but if your priority is listening watch without subs.

You really are very unlikely to pick up words without subs but your listening will skyrocket.

You could also go for low hanging fruit and if you hear a sentence you're like

1. "I recognize that word they said/it sounds familiar"
2. "I mostly understand that sentence but I'm missing just once piece of it"

Then you can pause look at the subs and mine a card even.

[runic parrot]

Also side note, I used to use Migaku too, but I suggest switching over to using Yomichan plus ASB player as asbplayer now works with Netflix and YouTube and stuff. And you can even use a Japanese streaming site like DMM and drag and drop subtitles from Kitsune and asbplayer will automatically load them up so you can mine. And you can quickly add screenshots and Audio just like in Migaku.

If you're interested in doing a free option let me know and I can help. It's way easier than you might think.

[vagrant barn]

Sorry to bud in, but how does asbplayer work with youtube? Do I still need to drop in subs for a yt video to mine?

[runic parrot]

No it can auto find YouTube subtitles

I think it also does Disney and Hulu

[vagrant barn]

Ah I see, thank you

Sorry for the messy sentence earlier lol i was in a rush

[warm mesa]

Watched a show without subs yesterday, about 3 episodes in a row, "Welcome to the ballroom" anime. Then, out of curiosity, I went back and quickly read the English subs on these episodes. Some key things I got completely wrong. I mean, I invented my own plot in a way. Should I be concerned about this?

[boreal aspen]

No, if you had followed everything you'd be a stage 3. Plus at least it shows you were thinking and trying to figure the plot out instead of just letting it go past you. Also, the pure japanese != eng subs. So you're fine, just keep studying vocab and grammar while immersing and your comp will surpass translations.