Movies are an excellent way to immerse yourself in a foreign language and culture. They provide you with authentic and diverse language input, offer insights into cultural nuances, and most importantly, they make learning fun. If you’re learning Japanese, incorporating movies into your study routine can be greatly beneficial. This blog post will introduce you to some recommended resources to get started with learning Japanese through movies.
Why Movies for Learning Japanese?
Movies offer a range of language inputs including various accents, speech rates, and vocabulary, which can enhance your listening comprehension skills. They also present language in context, helping you understand how to use different phrases and expressions appropriately. Additionally, the visual and auditory elements of movies aid memory and recall.
Top Resources for Learning Japanese with Movies
Here are some top resources to facilitate your Japanese language learning journey through movies:
- Japanesepod101
Japanesepod101 is a comprehensive language learning platform that provides a variety of resources, including podcast-style lessons, video content, and supplementary study materials.
In an in-depth review by JLPT Tutor, it’s noted that Japanesepod101 offers “Japanese in 3 Minutes” videos that explain grammar, vocabulary, and cultural points in short, digestible segments. Additionally, they have content based on Japanese films, providing useful language lessons contextualized in movie scenes. - FluentU
FluentU is an online language learning platform that uses real-world videos like movie trailers, music videos, and inspirational talks. The platform provides interactive subtitles in Japanese and English, which can enhance comprehension and vocabulary acquisition. - Netflix
Yes, Netflix! Netflix Japan has an extensive library of Japanese films and TV series. It’s a great resource, particularly when used with the Language Learning with Netflix (LLN) Chrome extension, which allows interactive subtitles, slow playback, and dictionary lookup.
Recommended Japanese Movies for Language Learners
Here are some Japanese movies that are popular and beneficial for language learners:
- “Spirited Away” (Sen to Chihiro no Kamikakushi)
This Oscar-winning animation by Studio Ghibli is a beautiful film with clear, relatively slow dialogues. It’s a wonderful introduction to Japanese animation and language. - “My Love Story!!” (Ore Monogatari!!)
This is a romantic comedy based on a popular manga series. The language used is modern and conversational, providing excellent exposure to everyday Japanese. - “Shall We Dance?” (Shall we Dansu?)
This charming film about a businessman learning ballroom dance is filled with dialogues that are great for intermediate learners.
Conclusion
Learning Japanese through movies not only enhances your listening skills but also makes your language learning journey enjoyable and culturally enriching. Whether you’re using comprehensive language platforms like Japanesepod101 and FluentU or streaming services like Netflix, movies can be a fantastic addition to your Japanese learning resources.
Remember, learning a language is about immersion and consistent practice. Make language learning a part of your daily life and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Ganbatte kudasai (Do your best)!