Lots of people are interested in learning Japanese, but they quickly discover that Japanese is not a simple language. With hard work and the right study habits, learning the language can be fun and rewarding. Here are seven easy ways to study Japanese from language teacher Elaina R…
Learning a foreign language can seem like a daunting task, but with the right plan of attack you can be speaking Japanese in no time! We’ve outlined seven simple steps to make studying Japanese quick and easy.
From finding a study buddy to downloading apps that focus on the basics, we have you covered. So let’s get started!
What is the Easiest Way to Memorize Japanese?
The Japanese language can seem daunting at first, but with a few tools and tips, you can easily memorize the language:
- To begin, one of the easiest ways to memorize Japanese is to use repetition and practice. Either review some words you already know or create flashcards for yourself to revisit on a regular basis.
- Writing out your sentences can also help you remember different usages of a particular word or phrase.
- Something as simple as listening to your favorite Japanese music or podcast can help reinforce what you’ve been learning in an enjoyable way.
- Try utilizing online programs like Duolingo that have fun games and activities devoted to learning Japanese.
Utilizing these methods will certainly help you start feeling confident when speaking in the language.
Learning Japanese isn’t always easy, but you can progress by signing up for Japanese lessons with a tutor. You’ll learn everything you need to know about the language, like what you see in the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1CcPDOnVIs
What is the Best Way to Self Study Japanese?
When you’re learning a new language, it’s important to start small and slowly build on what you’re learning in your classes or lessons. Consistent study time and practice will help to reinforce both the written and spoken language, grammar rules, and pronunciation. Here are some simple and effective strategies to help you study Japanese.
1. Set Reasonable Goals
Learning a new language doesn’t happen instantaneously. Accept that it will take time and effort. Set small, manageable goals for yourself. For example, challenge yourself to learn five new words or characters every day. Small goals are much less daunting, and your accomplishments will add up over time.
2. Make a Schedule
After you’ve set some goals for yourself, make a schedule to study Japanese. It’s best to study a little bit every day, even if it’s just for 20 to 30 minutes. Set aside a specific time of day, whatever works best with your schedule, and stick to it.
3. Make Japanese Part of Your Day
Constant exposure to the language will increase your understanding and help you learn Japanese faster. In addition to your daily study time, find some creative ways to sneak more Japanese into your life. Try listening to Japanese podcasts, radio stations, and TV shows. Even if you don’t understand these programs at first, listening will help. Download some Japanese learning apps and games to play when you’re bored.
4. Get a Kana Workbook
The Japanese writing system consists of kana (simple characters) and kanji (Chinese-derived characters). Hiragana, one type of kana, is used for conjunctions, word endings, and other filler purposes. Katakana, the other type of kana, is used for foreign-derived words.
There are less than 100 kana characters, and if you learn these first, you will be better equipped to tackle kanji. Don’t just copy them off the internet; buy a kana workbook to teach you stroke order. Stroke order is very important in Japanese. Kana has fewer strokes than kanji, so start with kana and master these characters before you move on to kanji.
5. Read Japanese Books
Once you’ve mastered kana, you’re ready to start reading simple Japanese books. I recommend using basic children’s books to start. Look for books with three- to four-word sentences and a lot of pictures. Amazon has lots of free Kindle books to get you started. Also, find out if there is a Japanese bookstore in your area; many cities have at least one.
6. Learn About Formal and Informal Japanese
Formal and informal Japanese are very different. Though I learned informal Japanese from my mom, I never learned formal Japanese because I never went to school or worked in Japan. I still have to concentrate really hard to speak in keigo, or formal Japanese.
In school and most language learning programs, you will learn formal Japanese, which is used in business settings. If you watch anime or listen to native Japanese speakers, however, you will hear informal Japanese. Read about the differences, and pay attention to which style you hear in conversation.
7. The Best Ways to Study Japanese Using Notes
Systematic note-taking is one of the best strategies for studying Japanese. With a few simple steps, you can create an effective and easily accessible set of notes to help you learn the language more efficiently.
Start by organizing your notes into broad categories such as Kanji, Grammar or Vocabulary. When learning a new lesson, record any new words or concepts you’ve come across and try to explain them in your own words—this will be very helpful later on when you’re trying to recall information.
Using diagrams or brief examples can be valuable if you’re trying to better visualize relationships between words. And you may want to use memory cues such as mnemonic devices and visual aids to help retain what you have learned.
What is the Best Way to Study Japanese Vocabulary?
Learning a language can be daunting, especially when it comes to memorizing vocabulary. But never fear, there are some surprisingly easy ways to learn and remember new words in Japanese.
- Make Flashcards – Flashcards are great tools for memorizing new words quickly and easily. You can make them with paper or use an app like Quizlet. Writing down the word on one side of the card, along with its pronunciation, and then writing down the definition on the other side will help you commit it to memory faster.
- Listen and Repeat – Listening and repeating out loud is one of the most effective ways to study Japanese and learning a foreign language. Spend time listening to native speakers speaking in Japanese and repeat after them as if you were having a conversation with them. This will help you learn correct pronunciation while also reinforcing what you’ve already learned.
- Watch Japanese Movies – Watching Japanese movies is an excellent way to learn new words in context and practice your understanding of speech patterns in real life situations. Focus on watching movies that have subtitles so that you can follow along with what is being said while also reading it at the same time. This will give you a better idea of how each word is used in context which will help you remember it more easily.
- Play Games – Who said learning had to be boring? There are plenty of fun games online that can help you learn new words in Japanese quickly and easily, such as crosswords or word search puzzles. Additionally, there are also websites like Duolingo that offer interactive lessons for learning languages like Japanese so that studying vocabulary becomes more fun than ever before!
What is the Best Way to Study Japanese Grammar?
We have some tips and tricks to help make learning Japanese grammar fun and painless.
Start at the Beginning
One of the best ways to learn anything is by starting at the beginning and working your way up. This means you should start off with simple verbs and adjectives, then gradually increase in complexity as you progress through your studies. This will help lay a solid foundation for more advanced topics in the future.
Make Flashcards
Flashcards are an incredibly effective way to study, especially when it comes to language learning. You can create flashcards with new vocabulary words or even sentences that use certain grammar points you’re trying to learn. This will help reinforce what you’ve learned and make it easier to recall in the future.
Get Creative
Learning a language is about more than just memorizing conjugations and vocab words; it’s also about getting creative with how you go about studying them. Try writing short stories or dialogues using the grammar points you’ve learned, or make up silly rhymes or songs that utilize specific vocabulary words—anything to make your studies more enjoyable!
Is Self Studying Japanese Possible?
Self-studying Japanese is easier than ever before.
With countless resources available–from books to websites and apps–anyone can start learning the language without having to sign up for expensive classes or hiring a tutor (though there are definitely benefits to this approach, too, which we’ll cover below).
And with so much exposure to the language through entertainment, adults and children alike can get a jump start on their Japanese studies in their spare time.
The key is to have fun while learning, as it keeps motivation high and makes the learning process much more enjoyable. So if you’re pondering whether or not self studying Japanese is possible, the answer is yes!
One of the Best Ways to Study Japanese? Get a Tutor or Learning Buddy
There’s only so much you can learn on your own. A tutor can help you correct your pronunciation and improve your grammar. He or she can also develop a teaching plan that fits your specific needs. You can practice speaking Japanese with a friend or learning buddy, and apply the new concepts to real-life situations. If you don’t have any friends who are studying Japanese, you can search for a conversation group in your area.
Making the language part of your daily routine is a simple but effective way to study Japanese. What are some other creative ways to learn Japanese?
Elaina R. teaches singing in Ann Arbor, MI. She is acquainted with many languages and speaks English, Japanese, Italian, and German. As a singer, she pays particular attention to language and pronunciation. She earned a Bachelor of Music from the University of Southern California, and she is currently working on her Master of Music from the University of Michigan. Learn more about Elaina here!
Photo by chicageek
Maile Proctor