Learning japanese advices
Three years ago, one my friends moved to Tokyo to learn to become a Japanese food chef. However, English language is not so utile in such an environment. I used to speak to her at least three times a week. Not only that we were good friends but also I was curious about her bold move. It is never easy to move to a city that nobody knows you, nobody speaks your language and you are ought to communicate for your purpose of visit and other factors.
After the first month, she was changing her mind to give it all up and come back. But she had come across the book on how to self study Japanese and decided to give it a longer while. The results were a phenomenon. After only three months, she was well aware of all the basic use of the language. And six months after she already had started, she was speaking like a pro. When I ask how she did it, she said that she used an effective schema to self study Japanese language. I have gathered this information who are willing to learn Japanese language on their own. In fact, this method is beneficial for other languages as well. Here is a 4-step guide to learn Japanese at the comfort of your home;
1. Start with the basics
Every language has basic elements for its forms of expression. These sounds are known as alphabets. You can get a hold of a guide about how each alphabet is written, how it sounds and how correctly is pronounced. You can find amazing guidelines nowadays on the internet along with a vocal recording to show the sounds and pronunciations. Some mobile apps also permits you to repeat the sound for the program so this way it lets you know if you are doing it correctly or not.
You can get yourself a booklet to practice hand writing of Japanese language from the foundation; its alphabet. Just to add more information, Japanese alphabet is called Hiragana and Katakana.
You will be required to learn hiragana before katakana. After you are done with learning these two, you can to kanji. Kanji help you to differentiate between similar spellings of the words.
2. Speaking and hearing abilities
The next step is to get yourself into the murky waters of speaking and listening. For every language learner, this is the most intimidating part of learning a language. However, this is the ultimate goal in learning a language all over. As a self-learner, your best resource is internet. You can find YouTube videos that are meant for basic Japanese learning. You could also use mobile or tablet language apps; so many of these apps are absolutely free of cost. You can re-listen to a single phrase as much as you master it and then go to the next step.
If you are living an area where you have Japanese-speaking people to interact with, choose your chance of getting into real practice field. It may be a little difficult at first. But eventually you get better and making mistakes may seem like awards for your learning process.
3. Reading
There is nothing like academics to learn something profoundly. You must read in order to be able to learn the academic rules of a language. Grammar, writing, reading, vocabulary and many more.
4. Getting help from other sources
As a new language learner, you must be constantly on the verge of adding to your already existing knowledge. While you have reached a point that you think you know the basics enough, get help from supplement books. You would require to cover to main subjects; grammar and kanji. The best sources to learn such matters are grammar books meant for elementary and middle school. You can start from any of them but read them all. Do not leave any area uncovered.
Factors affecting your self study Japanese program
There are many factors affecting your learning process. These factors are common in the learning process of almost anything. Although, Japanese language is one of the difficult dragons to slay; but once you are familiar with the essence of the language, you would enjoy limitless joy from this sweet and delicate art of speaking. Here is a list of things that you must pay attention to while learning a language;
- Interest: nobody can teach you anything if you are not interested in it. Interest is beyond only wanting to do something; it activates the brain intuition and curiosity which heightens the effects of problem solving. You would say you can learn in magical ways if you are passionate about anything; in this case Japanese language.
- Consistency: language is known as a passive knowledge, in case if it is not your mother tongue. Being inconsistence in your learning process towards the Japanese language can hamper your way of learning and even lose what you have already gained with your effort. Don forget that consistency is the key.
- Practice: practice is your one and only tool to move ahead with. Learning a language is never an overnight process. It takes time and patience; without making mistakes, it is not possible to learn something new. Do not be afraid to make mistakes. Go out there and use what you have already learned.
Test yourself: if you are studying Japanese on your own, you are your own teacher. Keep a notebook to record your process. You can do online tests and write down your marks. It is important to reward yourself for every step you move ahead.
Conclusion
Japanese language self study is possible by teaching yourself the basics of the language effectively. From the basics, you can move up towards a fluent speaking and hearing skill by practice and consistency.