Learn Japanese in 7 Steps: A Self-Study Guide for Students
March 6, 2023
It is not necessary to take expensive courses or hire tutors to learn Japanese. Be your own teacher. You can start your language journey by yourself and study at your own pace. There are numerous resources online to support your progress.
We're not going to lie. Japanese is a difficult language. Mastering its writing systems and grammar takes a lot of time.
Are you ready to become fluent in Japanese? Here are seven steps to approach language learning in an efficient and practical way.
Written Japanese language uses three different alphabets. Here we see an example of katakana.
1. Start with Basic Expressions
Before you dive into complex writing systems and grammar, learn a few basic expressions. These are useful Japanese words and phrases that can serve you in everyday communication. You should know how to greet people, introduce yourself, and ask for directions.
Knowing the basics is the shortest way to start speaking the language as soon as possible. It will allow you to connect with native speakers and build your language confidence early in the process.
2. Immerse Yourself in Japanese Culture
Language and culture are closely intertwined. The best way to learn Japanese is to immerse yourself in the culture of the country, which will fascinate you. Japan has unique social norms, customs, and art. By immersing yourself in them, you will gain a much deeper understanding of different aspects of the language.
3. Learn the Writing Systems
Japanese has three writing systems: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. Each script has its own specific purpose and function.
- Hiragana is a starting point for beginners. It includes 46 characters that will help you spell out Japanese words based on the phonetical principle. Hiragana will help you understand why words sound the way they do and help you with pronunciation.
- Katakana is a script used for words adopted into Japanese from other languages. Learn Katakana after you've mastered Hiragana.
- The third and most challenging system is Kanji. It includes thousands of characters. Luckily, only a set of 2136 characters was named the Kanji for everyday use.
4. Get a Comprehensive Grammar Guide to Practice
Since Japanese and English are so different, learning Japanese grammar seems scary for a lot of beginners. Yet, the good news is that it is far more logical and straightforward compared to English.
A popular textbook for learning grammar and other fundamentals for beginners is the Genki series. You can also get all your grammar-related questions answered by Tae Kim's Grammar Guide. This free and comprehensive resource is a go-to place for all Japanese language learners.
5. Join Online Language Learning Communities
If you're learning a language by yourself, it's crucial to add a social component. Luckily, you can join various Japanese learning forums, clubs, and communities.
Connecting with other learners gives you language practice and motivation to keep going. Learning communities are also great for exchanging experiences and resources that can enrich your learning.
6. Practice Speaking Right Away
Yes, we know. It's intimidating. However, research has shown that speaking the language is the most effective way to learn it. Students who had regular weekly conversations with native speakers via video chat had higher achievements in language fluency, comprehension, and lexicogrammatical skills compared to the group with traditional language instruction. Use these findings as motivation to test your language skills out loud.
7. Are You Into Manga and Anime?
Japan has a strong manga and anime culture, which is a real treasure for language learners. Treat them as your learning resources.
Manga and anime can help you expand your vocabulary and improve pronunciation and comprehension. By immersing yourself in these art forms, you can also gain a more profound cultural understanding. It might be the most fun and engaging way to learn Japanese.
To Conclude
There are tons of Japanese learning materials online, which leaves you no excuse why you can't learn the language by yourself. With motivation and commitment, you'll easily build your study routine and earn your first results in no time.
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