Japanese Language Learning - 3 Tips for Beginning Students of Japanese
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Learning a new language can be a daunting task. When that new language is as different from English as Japanese is, it can seem insurmountable. Unlike other European languages (such as Spanish, French & German) there is very little overlap between Japanese vocabulary and English. The few words that are shared between the two languages are usually recently borrowed words like "sushi" or "terebi" ("television") that don't give you a real feel for how the language works. Beyond that, the grammar is different, Japanese uses sounds that aren't used in English and it's written with a syllabary (3 syllabaries, actually!) instead of an alphabet. As a new Japanese language learner, it can be overwhelming. However, if you don't panic and follow the tips in this guide, you will be well on your way to speaking Japanese like a pro.
Tip 1 - Mentally Prepare Yourself for Studying Japanese
The major mistake that most new language learners make is not taking the time to prepare before beginning their studies. I recommend reading the Wikipedia page on the Japanese language to familiarize yourself with the structure of Japanese (basic grammar, sounds, etc).
In addition to this, I recommend that you get a notebook that will be devoted just to your Japanese studies. It's a very small thing, but, making a simple investment in your studies by acquiring a notebook can help cement in your mind that you are going to study regularly and not just "get around to it some day". Additionally, it will come in handy to have a place to write down any questions and observations you have about Japanese as you're learning.
Tip 2 - Start with a Good Oral Resource for Beginners
There are two good reasons for starting with an audio program when beginning to study Japanese. The first is that it will allow you to hear native speakers from the beginning of your studies. This will help you avoid learning incorrect pronunciations that you have to spend time unlearning later. The second reason is that the three Japanese syllabaries can be overwhelming to beginners. Often, beginning Japanese language learners will become frustrated with their inability to master Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji and they will give up on their studies. By focusing on the spoken language you will be able to familiarize yourself with Japanese without having to simultaneously learn the new syllabaries.
A good (though expensive) audio course to start with is Pimsleur's Comprehensive Japanese I. Make sure that it is the full comprehensive and not the basic or conversational courses. Many libraries have the Pimsleur audio courses available to be borrowed for free.
To get the most from the course, listen to each lesson more than once. Attempt to match the native speakers' pronunciation as closely as you can. Don't worry too much about the details. It's better to only get part of something but to keep moving forward than it is to get bogged down in an attempt to master one small detail until you get frustrated and give up.
Tip 3 - Practice, Practice, Practice
This one is not rocket science; however, "Practice a lot!" can mean different things to different people. In this case, I am recommending that you practice 30 to 60 minutes per day and at least 5 days per week when you are first learning Japanese.. It is much better to have smaller, more frequent study sessions in Japanese than it is to have a long 'master session' a couple times each week.
Find as many opportunities each day as you can to flex your new "Japanese language" muscles. Talk to a friend or coworker that knows Japanese. If you don't have an available Japanese speaker, look online for one. There are many sites that help people to connect with language practice partners. However, you don't have to have a native speaker handy to practice your Japanese. Start peppering your new Japanese vocabulary into your conversations. If you don't know the right word for the verb but you know the right ending to use, add the ending to the English word. Start writing your notes in Japanese as soon as you can (again, without worrying about your spelling). The more you use the Japanese you've learned the more it will stick in your mind.
If you follow these recommendations, after five to eight weeks you will be able to have a decent basic conversation in Japanese.
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