* If you can afford to take a year off and go to Japan, many universities such as Sophia University in Tokyo and Doshisha University in Kyoto both offer intensive one-year programs in Japanese which will bring you to near-fluency in a short period of time. However, if your goal is to become fluent, you will get the most out of learning language in Japan if you study for a year or more prior to your visit. Ideally you don't want to waste your first several months studying Kana and basic vocabulary when you could have learned it beforehand. Even so, there's nothing wrong with jumping in if that's your style.
* If you plan to learn Japanese abroad at a language school, look for one that is accredited by an International Association to make sure it is of an excellent standard.
* Working in Japan is a great way to learn, but teaching English or working in a foreign company will usually give you very little hands-on experience with the language. Since your Japanese co-workers will probably speak English fluently, you're better off in a Japanese company where the lingua franca is not English.
* Romaji is the "Romanization" of Japanese language. In other words, how to write Japanese using English letters. For example "Hoteru e ikimasu", I am going to the hotel. If you ask a Japanese person who can't speak English to write what they are saying in Romaji they will know what you mean.
* Learn the culture of Japan. It will go a long way to understanding your new Japanese friends and provide plenty of things to talk about using your new language skills.
* Host a Japanese exchange student or become an exchange student yourself and experience living with a Japanese family. There are many programs that offer three months to year long "home stays" in Japan. Even more flexible lengths of time may be available through some institutions such as a weekend or you may be able to find a host family through friends. If you do not go through an institution, be prepared to remunerate your host, either in cash or in kindness or by offering to host them when they visit your home country. But make sure what you are committing to up front before you book any flights and that both you and the family you are visiting are 100% clear on the details. Avoid long stays that are not associated with an educational institution or well-known program as these tend to treat your stay more as a hostel/room-and-board scenario as opposed to a cultural exchange in which you benefit from spending time with family members of the home you will live in.
* Movies and TV shows are often difficult to understand, because it's impossible to ask the actors to explain what they've just said. However, variety shows tend to have a lot of subtitling, which makes them much easier to understand and learn from if you have a basic command of the written language. In general Japanese TV is very entertaining with slapstick skit based comedy and evening dramas/soaps that are easy to follow.
* If you are seeking the most inexpensive way to learn, find free help for learning Japanese online. There are free audio lessons, writing lessons, and tons of other resources. Some websites are listed at the bottom of this page.
* There are even software programs that can teach you the language. But remember there is no substitute for hard study time and the dynamic environment of speaking with real people.
* Learn from context. If the person next to you is bowing or replies to a set greeting in a particular way, follow their example the next chance you get. The best people to observe are those of your own age group and gender. What is appropriate for an older man is likely not correct for a younger woman.
* Language is not everything. If you have been welcomed to someone's home and offers you an appetizing dish, you don't need to understand all that was said. You're recieving kindness. Say Domo Arigato Gozaimasu (thank you very much). Enjoy the simple things.
* Study some material for about 30 minutes a day. This totals up to about more than 180 hours a year. 30 hours more than being exposed to Japanese in a college class!
For learning
Japanese | Category
Uncategorized | Level
Unspecified |
Second language
English | Created
Jan 18, 2010 14:01 | Views
1424 |
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