Learn Japanese your way with a TakeLessons expert

Every culture has its own set of social graces, and following rules and minding your manners can prevent awkward encounters. So whether you're taking Japanese lessons or you're just interested in other cultures, learn essential Japanese etiquette with Montgomery, TX teacher Emily G... It might be surprising to know, but Japan has a set of etiquette rules that govern how to act while staying as a guest in someone's home. In fact, there are even specific instructions on how to behave when tak

Whether you're planning a trip to Japan or you just want to stay up on the latest Japan news, there are a lot of sites to help you follow current events, trends, the latest in technology, and entertainment. Plus, if you're learning the language, you can boost your reading and speaking skills by reading the news in Japanese. Here are eight great sites to help you stay current on the latest Japan news. Japan Today Read Japan Today for up-to-date information on sports, tech, and natio

Want to learn more about Japanese culture as you take Japanese lessons? Then you should explore different types of Japanese cuisine and Japanese beverages (if you are of age). Sake is a popular Japanese beverage, and luckily, if you're unable to travel to Japan, you can enjoy certain types of sake in the United States...  So next time you head out to eat sushi, you'll be able to order and enjoy sake like a pro. Here's everything you need to know about Japanese sake. What is Sake? Altho

If you're studying Japanese, you may be preparing for an upcoming trip to Japan. Traveling to Japan is an unforgettable experience, but if you want to make the most of your trip, you have to prepare in advance. Here are 10 Japan travel blogs to help you plan ahead for your upcoming trip. 1. Only in Japan Only in Japan covers nearly every popular and traditional aspect of the country and culture. From manga to beaches to backpacking, you will be well prepared for your trip if you read t

If you are a beginner, one of the most important and easiest ways to get familiar with the Japanese language is to learn and practice the most frequently used phrases. In this article, we will learn the most useful phrases that will get you through different situations.  As a reminder, there are three different kinds of speech in Japanese. There is the informal, polite, and formal. In this blog, we will be introducing you to phrases in polite form so you can talk to everyone immediately.�

When learning Japanese you're introduced to several writing systems, including hiragana, katakana, kanji, and finally - romaji. What is Japanese writing called? Romaji simply means "Roman characters." You will typically use romaji when you type out Japanese sentences using a keyboard. "Romaji is the representation of Japanese sounds using the western, 26-letter alphabet," says Donald Ash, creator of TheJapanGuy.com. "Romaji puts Japanese into a format that most Westerners can read and

Ready to go back to school? As you and your family prepare for the upcoming school year, continue your Japanese lessons and learn back-to-school vocabulary with language teacher Carol Beth L...  As the school year starts, it's time brush up on your vocabulary to talk about school supplies! Here are some Japanese vocabulary words that may prove useful as you head back to class. 1) Empitsu - Pencil Hiragana: えんぴつ Kanji: 鉛筆 Because you'll definitely need a pencil when yo

Is it possible to teach yourself Japanese? While the best way to learn a language is always a private teacher or tutor, there are some things you can do at home to learn the basics. Here, language teacher Carol Beth L. weighs the pros and cons of Japanese lessons vs. teaching yourself. Can you teach yourself Japanese? The simple answer is, yes. Like many new skills, given the right tools, some people can teach themselves. I have known people who have taught themselves Japanese—or anoth

What Are Japanese Onomatopoeia? An onomatopoeia is a word where meaning is derived from a sound, or when a word sounds like how it looks. In English, we have onomatopoeias like "cock-a-doodle-doo" for the sound a rooster makes, or "crunch" for the act of crushing things. Onomatopoeias are quite common in many, if not all languages. We tend to notice them most in comics as sound effects: zippers "zip" and light switches "click." They're fun to say and they certainly aren't hard to learn.

When you're learning Japanese, reading Japanese manga comics may help you build your vocabulary and comprehension skills. Aside from that, though, you should read Japanese manga comics because they're fun and entertaining! Modern Japanese manga originated in Japan in the mid 1900s. The word manga literally refers to comics and cartoons. You can find manga in many genres like romance, sports, comedy, and science fiction. Manga can be sequential with many volumes in a series, or it