Are you interested in learning Japanese? Learning Japanese can seem daunting if you’re an English speaker.
If you want to learn Japanese faster, you may also be interested in this article.
I have never regretted learning Japanese. Learning Japanese has developed a greater appreciation and passion for Japanese culture. As a result of understanding the language, I have explored the culture in a way I would not have otherwise been able to.
I would like to tell you what is happening right now in the world. As one of the most challenging languages to learn, Japanese is undoubtedly one of the most difficult. This is a language written differently from English, which has an entirely different language structure and is interpreted differently due to its cultural context.
The following steps will help you learn the Japanese language – including context clues. Those who are serious about learning Japanese right now should do this.
Step 1: Set goals to improve your Japanese
People who want to improve their Japanese will usually set goals.
I want to be able to use Japanese at work!”
“I want to Pass JLPT N5 This year.
“I want to improve my Japanese and become an Interpreter !
It’s not wrong to set these goals, but the purpose of “using Japanese at work” isn’t fun, so many people don’t continue learning Japanese with this kind of goal setting.
You can improve your Japanese proficiency test by learning Japanese for a while, but if you continue not to use Japanese at work or in an environment that does not require much Japanese, your Japanese level will drop.
After improving their Japanese proficiency at work, many business people stopped using Japanese and could barely speak it. I think that’s a very wasteful thing to do.
Therefore goal-setting, in Japanese, should be something like the following.
- Make Japanese a part of your life.
If you can make Japanese a part of your life, politely be able to improve your Japanese, and there will be no waste such as “study Japanese temporarily and then stop studying” .
To make Japanese a part of your life, you should make it part of your culture by “enjoying Japanese.”
Step2: Enjoying Japanese
It’s easy to learn Japanese if you enjoy it. Let’s take music as an example.
As a result of listening to music, I became familiar with the music. Most people do not listen to music after studying it extensively and becoming familiar with it.
As with this example, speaking Japanese is the best way to improve your Japanese.
It is much more fun to communicate in Japanese with foreigners, and it is much more fun to speak Japanese with foreigners. It is advantageous for me to speak Japanese first, understand my intentions, and communicate with the other person.
Nevertheless, how can I communicate with a foreigner in Japanese when I cannot speak the language properly now? I will explain next.
Step3：Confidence in your ability to speak Japanese
Speaking to foreigners takes courage, even if you suddenly speak Japanese. I don’t know what to do, then. Japanese is assumed to be a native language.
What might be causing your anxiety?
You’ll be fooled if you don’t speak correct Japanese.
What if I can’t speak Japanese?
Doesn’t anxiety cause this?
How would you feel if you were in the opposite position? You should have experienced speaking Japanese with a foreigner.
Was it unpleasant for you? In my opinion, things are different. Speak Japanese well and do your best!” should have been a positive impression on you.
If you don’t understand it, you’ll want to support it by saying, “Let’s understand what this foreigner is trying to say!”
A foreigner who speaks Japanese is in the same boat. You don’t have to talk to Japanese properly to be an excellent Japanese speaker.
Step4：Give your reasons for learning Japanese
Starting to learn Japanese also requires some motivation, and it is essential to create your learning environment if you want to succeed at learning Japanese on the way. The importance of learning Japanese must be raised, requiring a kick start.
Therefore, it is very effective to make the following reason.
Why Japanese?
✓ Learn Japanese through a short-term study abroad program
✓ Decide to work for a foreign company instead of your current company
✓ Challenge overseas branch offices by speaking with Human Resources
✓ Company recruits Japanese language trainers
This is a beautiful opportunity.
“I don’t know why you’re doing that!”
Some people think that, but many people who want to improve their Japanese will surely have a chance. Then again,
“I’m not able to.”
There seem to be many difficulties if you don’t speak Japanese.
There have been many people who have given up from the beginning.
You shouldn’t miss such an opportunity if you have one. Improving your Japanese is a good reason to do so.
Step5：Identify your weaknesses
After three months of learning online Japanese conversation, you will become clearer about what you lack in Japanese.
Here are some examples:
The Japanese language isn’t my strong suit.
It’s hard for me to make phone calls in Japanese!
Before the meeting, I would like to be able to handle short stories in Japanese.
Studying Japanese you lack on your own when such a task arises is necessary. In order to meet the various needs and demands of learners, online Japanese conversation services need to provide a variety of courses.
Step6：Immerse yourself in Japanese
One-on-one lessons using online technology will become increasingly popular after a year of learning Japanese. Many people cannot really feel their improvement in Japanese and enter a stagnation period.
The steps up to this point will not make you feel that your Japanese has improved, but your ability will certainly increase.
The goal here is to move beyond the idea of “studying Japanese” and to come into contact with Japanese as often as possible in addition to lessons.
Try replacing a part of your daily life with Japanese.
You can replace part of your life with Japanese culture.
- Watch Japanese news
- Get acquainted with Japanese literature and articles by reading them
- Listen to Japanese dramas and listen to Japanese music
- Participate in Japanese projects at work
Using Japanese in this way allows you to expand your language usage range. Your learning is active at this point, and you can improve your Japanese in a very short time since the period up to this point is about one year.
Step 7: Take a Japanese class or online Lesson
Congratulations, you’ve finally arrived at the point where you’ve taught yourself as much as possible! If you’re ready to go further in your Japanese language studies, you will have to invest in a language learning tool.
If you struggled with the writing systems, this workbook will help you with grammar while reinforcing hiragana and katakana. This book was created by both an English and Japanese writer to bring you the best learning tools whether you’re studying at home or with other people. The practice sheets will help you test your knowledge as well, which will help keep you on track with your goals.
- A Guide: A Japanese Approach to Learning Japanese
This guide is meant to help you learn Japanese as it is spoken in Japan—this is going to be a bit different than a lot of other guides out there. You’ve heard of slang in your own language; it exists in every language, and this guide is going to teach you how to learn Japanese with slang. If you’re looking to sound like a native speaker as possible, or you’re learning Japanese for pop culture purposes, then this is a great resource.
- Japanese Hiragana & Katakana for Beginners: First Steps to Mastering the Japanese Writing System
This is another great resource for anyone who’s looking to reinforce their knowledge of hiragana and katakana while learning Japanese grammar. This guide will make sure you’re learning correctly with plenty of visuals and mnemonics; if you found yourself struggling in the earlier steps, then this is a great option for you.
- Basic Japanese: Learn to Speak Everyday Japanese in 10 Carefully Structured Lessons
If you’re an auditory learner, then this is a great resource for you. The book includes downloadable audio to help you learn Japanese grammar through listening and responses; it’s one of the most user-friendly guides on the market. With 10 lessons, you’ll be able to follow along and keep yourself on track as well.
- A dictionary of basic Japanese grammar
While we’ve discussed how important it is to have as much vocabulary memorized as possible, it’s a process that is going to take you months, if not years, to do. Having a dictionary by your side is better than googling every character, and this specific dictionary will have everything you need.
Finally, I would like to say
What did you think? The purpose of today’s presentation was to introduce Active Learner as a method of improving Japanese, as well as to discuss all the methods for improving Japanese.
To improve your Japanese, you need only follow one trick. “Make communication enjoyable”. The first step is to create an environment where you can speak Japanese with foreigners.
Rather than studying Japanese, you should make it part of your life. Experiential learning is more practical and hard to forget than studying.
It is always possible to communicate with foreigners online if there are no foreigners nearby.