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It is essential to talk to Japanese people if you are serious about learning Japanese. They probably won’t teach you how to learn Japanese, but they will give you some exposure to culture and the language. Being exposed to them will not make you fluent, but they will definitely help.
Ask them to speak to you like they would to another Japanese speaker so you will hear the language as it is spoken and not as a foreigner.
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There are many reasons to learn Japanese beside anime and manga despite the fact that it is the most common reason. Here are the top 5 reasons why people want to know how to learn Japanese to learn Japanese.
1. To Read Manga and Watch Anime
The truth is that a lot of people learn Japanese just so they can read manga and watch anime in the raw. Yes, there are lots of TV shows, movies, and manga available with subtitles so it is not necessary to do it unless you really want to, but the thing is that you will never really know what they are saying if you rely on subtitles. Understanding the language will give you a unique interpretation of the story and see it from a different perspective.
2. To Live and Work in Japan
Many people learn Japanese if they are planning on living and working in Japan. Most foreigners in Japan are not fluent in Japanese, but most of them will at least know some key words and phrases to get by. Very few Japanese people understand English, so it is really lonely for people that do not speak Japanese. Furthermore, most jobs outside of teaching English do require people to have an extensive knowledge of Japanese.
3. To Communicate With Family
Some people have family members that are Japanese or they may happen to marry a Japanese spouse. Learning Japanese will help them communicate with their family and possibly grow closer and build stronger relationships.
4. For Business Opportunities
A lot of people still do business in Japan as it is one of the world’s leading economies. Learning Japanese is a great way to develop strategic partnerships and open new doors.
5. To Be Different
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Although eating does not have much to do with learning Japanese, using chopsticks when you eat can actually make you feel more a part of Japanese culture.
Using chopsticks can be tricky for Westerners in the beginning, but it does get easier over time.
Here is a video that explains how to use chopsticks properly.
How to Use Chopsticks Correctly
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Japan has taken a lot of hits in more recent years with the tsunami and numerous economic problems. Despite all of the issues, Japan is still a great place to visit. Here are the top 5 reasons to visit Japan.
1. Shopping and Nightlife
A lot of people visit Japan just to enjoy the shopping and nightlife. There are oodles malls, stores, and shops that sell electronics, video games, clothing, and unique Japanese gifts that cannot be found anywhere else. Japan is also known for its nightlife because there are tons of bars, restaurants and nightclubs all over the major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto that offer unique entertainment whether it is food, karaoke, or maybe even something more exotic.
2. Anime, video games, and Manga Galore
Japan is literally like heaven for anyone that is fan of anime, video games, or manga because that is where most of comes from. Although the Chinese and Koreans have started getting into animation, there is still nothing like authentic Japanese anime and manga. There are dozens of anime and manga cafes that have almost every title ever made and there are arcades that have some of coolest video games around.
Obviously, a lot of people visit Japan just because it is the only place to learn real Japanese. Yes, people do study Japanese in colleges and universities around the world, but it is not the same as actually being in the country or interacting with native speakers on a daily basis. Japan is pretty much the only place that speaks the language, so why not go right to the source to learn it the right way.
4. Shrines and Temples
Japan has dozens of beautiful shrines and temples all over the place. They are fun to visit even if you are not going for religious reasons because they are just gorgeous in person. Honestly, pictures do not do them justice.
5. Martial Arts
Japan is internationally known for martial arts and many serious practitioners visit Japan at some point to improve their skills. Japan is home of Judo, Karate, and Aikido and it is the place to be if you are serious about becoming one of the best martial artists.
Japan is still one of the best countries in the world to visit due to its vibrant culture and natural beauty.
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If you are learning how to read and write the Japanese characters, it is best that you actually write them every day so you will not forget them.
You can buy a notebook or journal that you can use to write daily entries in Japanese. It could be a couple of sentences about your day, a new phrase, or even a haiku. It does not matter what you write, but it must be in Japanese.
Even if you already know most the characters, writing in a journal is a great way to jog your memory.
Japanese City
- The Advantages of Japanese Lessons
Japanese lessons have a lot of benefits if they are done correctly. The main advantage of getting lessons is to have access to a real native speaker of Japanese so they can show how the language is meant to be used. You cannot talk back to the television, a book, or anything else, but the tutor will respond to you and provide live feedback about your progress. A tutor can also explain more aspects of the culture and give you a more thorough understanding of certain subjects.
– Access to a real native speaker
– You can get your questions answered
– Additional insight into the culture
- The Disadvantages of Japanese Lessons
Japanese lessons can be waste of money if they are not executed properly. You should think very carefully about who your private tutor will be because they will determine whether or not you will learn from the experience. The tutor should not be entirely responsible for your progress with the language, but they should help push you to the next level. Obviously, Japanese lessons are not that cheap, so cost is a factor as well.
– Can be expensive
– You can become dependent on the tutor
– Potential for poorly planned lessons
What You Should Do If You Want to Take Japanese Lessons.
You should take a very proactive role in the process and you should tell your tutor exactly what you want to learn and how you want to go about the process. Here are some suggestions as to what you should focus on during your lessons.
- Avoid studying kanji characters during lessons
- The lessons should be entirely in Japanese
- Focus on real Japanese
- The Verdict
Japanese lessons do work. The only caveat is that you absolutely must guide your learning and work with the tutor to structure the lessons to fit your needs. You do not need to have them to learn the language, but they can be quite helpful in some cases. The choice is yours.
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The AJATT method is currently one of the most popular methods to learn the Japanese language. It is not anything taught in school and it does not require you to purchase a books or software to do it.
AJATT For the Uninitiated
For those that are unfamiliar with the AJATT method, it stands for All Japanese All The Time. It is the title of a popular website and blog of the same name and it basically chronicles the personal journey of Khatzumoto about how he came to learn Japanese as well as well as some of the other Asian languages that has continues to study like Mandarin Chinese and Cantonese.
The website has become extremely popular, especially among those that are trying to learn Japanese because he has revolutionary approach, which is to learn Japanese through immersion even if you are outside of Japan.
What he tells readers to do is figure out ways to surround yourself with Japanese all the time even if you do not understand it at first. You are told to watch Japanese movies and televisions shows, listen to Japanese music and podcasts, and read Japanese manga and books. He recommends that you use the Heisig method to learn all of the hiragana, katakana, and kanji characters. Throughout your immersion, you will memorize all of the characters, key phrases, and sentences using an SRS system like Anki or his version called Surusu.
He tells you not to focus on input rather than speaking in the beginning. He does not recommend Japanese classes because they use inefficient methods and they tend not work for most people.
In short, he encourages you to find your own way through the Japanese labyrinth because he knows it is possible since he did it himself.
The Controversy
His method is pretty plain and simple and although he does sell products on his website, he explains that you are under no obligation to buy them because you can do all of this on your own. The thing is that his website has not only drawn a lot of praise, but a lot of criticism as well. The criticism often comes from a lot of different forums online about learning languages and some bloggers have also disagreed with his methods. Here are some of the primary reasons why some people have issues with his website.
- Too many products for sale
A lot of people complain about the fact that he has a number of products for sale on his website. In all fairness, he tells you upfront that you are not required to buy any of his products to use his method. They are just there to ease you through the process, and in all honesty, his products are pretty good for the most part.
- They did not see results
Some people have said that they did not see any results when they tried his method, but most of those people probably did not follow it properly.
- They think he made it up
Khatzumoto has been pretty open with people and he has numerous pictures and videos on website. It is unlikely that someone would go that far to fake something like that.
- They do not like his writing style
His writing style is very unique and although some people claim that they do not like it, most of his readers seem to enjoy it. You do not have to read all of his posts to get something out of his website. He even has a section on his website that outlines each post you should read depending on what stage you are on.
Now Tell Me, Does It Really Work?
The answer is yes. Yes, AJATT does work. It is based on the principles of natural language acquisition and it basically means that you will inevitably learn the language if you are exposed to it like a native speaker.
The issue is that a lot of people have trouble mustering up the discipline that it requires for it to work.
It is not easy to sit down and memorize roughly 2000 characters even if you are using the Heisig method. SRS programs work, but they are quite tedious because you have to go through them every day and add cards and what not. Even if you like anime, it can be tiresome to constantly surround yourself with Japanese movies and televisions shows that you do not understand. It is rough in the beginning and there is just no way around it because you have to continue to expose yourself to it or you will begin to forget the things that you already know.
The bottom line is that you will not see the results if you do not immerse yourself in the language. You cannot just listen to it for an hour day. You will have to make a sustained effort to show up for the language and each and every day for about 18 months.
On many occasions, it will feel like you are not making any progress and you may even feel like giving up. You will also feel like taking shortcuts that will end up hurting your progress in the long run, like relying romaji to learn the language. It is for those reasons that people struggle so much with the method. Even people that have relocated to Japan struggle for these same reasons and to top it off, they are also dealing with elements of culture shock.
Find Your Own Way
Instead of people debating about whether the AJATT method works, they should just get started and blend all of the principles and techniques from various sources into something that works for them. They can complain after they know what really works after they become fluent.
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Learning Japanese is one of the most difficult things you will ever do. For Westerners, Japanese is supposed to be one of the most difficult languages to learn next Chinese and Korean.
Since the language is so different from English, you will have to work really hard to stay focused and really grasp a solid understanding of the language. You can still learn the language no matter what age you are, so don’t give up. As you progress on this journey, here are couple of ways you can learn the language.
1 College or High School Courses
College and high school courses can be taken to get a fundamental understanding of the language and writing system. Due to their structure, it is unlikely that you will come out of the classes completely fluent, but you will have a decent starting point. The only downside to this method is that they can be quite costly depending on the school and some classes are not as good as others.
2 Study Abroad/ Exchange Program
Study abroad and exchange programs can be good to help you learn the language and experience the culture at the same time. Since they usually last for 6-12 months, it will allow you to adjust and take everything in without feeling homesick for too long. Just research the program thoroughly before you apply and try to talk to other people who have participated in the past. The only downside is that they tend to costly and sometimes they can alter your college schedule significantly.
3 Self-Study
Self-study is one of the best ways to learn a language if you are self-motivated and short on cash. If you go to a library, you can get dozens of Japanese textbooks, cds, and guides absolutely for free. There tons of Japanese podcasts on Itunes and dozens of websites that will help teach you the basics. This can be more effective than classes depending on how motivated you are. This is by far the cheapest method, but the only thing is that there is no one there to explain things or make sure you are on track.
4 Private Tutoring
Private tutoring is a good way to go because you get personalized instruction from a native speaker. It is one on one contact and interaction on a continuing basis. This method is usually pretty effective, but just remember that all tutors are not created equal. Selecting the right tutor is the most difficult part because it depends on your learning style and preferences. If a tutor is not working, then you really need to move on to a new one before you waste any more of your money.
5 Immersion
Immersion is the most natural way to learn a language. This usually means moving to Japan and becoming totally immersed in the language and culture for an extended period of time. This is only recommended if you actually have other business to tend to in Japan because it is very expensive to live there. Many people go to Japan to work as English teachers and attempt to learn the language at the same time. This can be very effective in learning Japanese and it works very quickly, however, it will only work if you are truly immersed. Some Westerners will live and work in Japan, but they will continue to surround themselves with English language media, music, and food and primarily associate with other Westerners. If you create an English bubble around yourself, then it is unlikely that you will become fluent in Japanese. This is also dependent on the level of commitment, dedication, and motivation you have. This is expensive, but it is highly effective.
Whatever method you use to learn Japanese, just stay focused and you will eventually become fluent.
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Preparing for a life abroad is challenging, yet very rewarding. First, be thankful that you have the opportunity and then begin to mentally prepare yourself for the task at hand. Here are tips to help you do just that:
- Realize that you are voluntarily going to Japan
Remember that you are making a choice to go to Japan on your own. No one is forcing you to do this. Understand that it is a different culture, language, and lifestyle. Since you decided to move there, then it is your job to adjust accordingly. Other people do not need to change, it is you who needs to change.
- Immerse yourself in the Japanese language and culture
If you want to be productive in Japan start learning about the language and culture as soon as possible. If you are planning to live in the country for a significant period of time, then you need to take measures to become completely fluent in the language. Learn about the culture and customs to make friends more easily as well.
- Stay Active in the Community
Stay active in your new community and attend events, join clubs, and make friends. Being active will make you feel connected and boost your morale as you make the transition to life abroad.
- Find a Job or Start a Business
If you are accompanying your spouse or partner abroad it is just as important for you to find a source of employment as well. Look into how to start a business or find a job. Just make sure to have the correct visa status to join the workforce.
- Take Time to Get to Know the Country and City
Really take time every so often to explore the city you live in as well as the rest of the country. Learn about the neighborhoods, the stores, and the restaurants. It is to your advantage to become knowledgeable about the your surroundings to improve your quality of life.
- Start a Journal
Life will become challenging at some point while living abroad and you will become frustrated with certain aspects of the culture. It is all normal and a part of culture shock. Writing in a journal will help you express your feelings and track your progress over time.
Moving abroad can be one of the best decisions you ever make. Following the tips listed above will help you make an easier transition and improve your chances of being satisfied with your new life.
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Going to Japan is an incredible experience whether you are relocating for an extended period or just visiting. There are tons of things to do and see, but here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Plan your trip far in advance
It is usually cheaper and easier to book flights and accommodations well in advance. If you wait until the last minute, prices will skyrocket.
- Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months
Many countries will not allow visitors to enter if you their passports do not have at least 6 months. Ideally, some passport issues can be resolved at an embassy in Japan, but it is not the best option. The best thing to do is resolve any passport issues before you leave.
- Make copies of important documents
Before you leave for Japan make copies of your passport, id, and etc and bring them with you. If possible, you could scan copies of these documents and email them to yourself just in case as well. This is just a precaution in case anything is lost or stolen in Japan. Copies are not sufficient substitutes, but they may help you in an emergency.
- Learn at least a few survival phrases
You do not have to know Japanese to enjoy your trip to Japan, but having some knowledge of the language will make it easier. It would be good to purchase a small book of phrases along with you during your trip.
- Get Travel Insurance
Though Japan is a safe and stable country, travel insurance is necessary in cases of lost or stolen items.
- Do your homework before you leave
Research everything thoroughly before you get on the plane. This could mean jobs, visas, hotels, apartments, and etc. Get the full story before you leave, so you can have a smooth trip without surprises. Plan the entire trip from beginning to end.
- Gather all addresses and phone numbers of pertinent locations
Have addresses and phone numbers to hotels, embassies, and etc. on hand when you arrive so you know where you are going. If you have any issues in transit, you can show the address to your cab driver.
- Get foreign currency from your bank before you leave
Before you leave for Japan, you can go to your local bank and get some of your currency exchanged. It is cheaper and easier to do in before you leave. You can get your currency exchanged at the airport when you arrive, but they are usually more expensive.
