The Japanese language, having its completely unique alphabet and complicated sentence structures, is definitely a challenge for Westerners to master. Like all learning endeavors, though, you can make the task easier and more efficient by doing a little planning before you jump in. In this article I will explain three things you need to do to make your Japanese language learning experience a fantastic, valuable and rewarding one.
Understand Your own Learning Strengths
Current research based on Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences shows that there are 7 defined types of learning styles: visual-spatial, bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrapersonal, linguistic, and logical-mathematical. Before you get into the Japanese language do yourself a tremendous favour and find out what kind of learner you are. To learn if you are a linguistic or a logical-mathematical learner, simply take one of the many 100 % free assessments on the Internet. To do so, simply drop by Google and enter "Theory of Multiple Intelligences free test," and you'll find one.
Examine a few and choose the one that offers the most questions; you will get the most complete results this way. While carrying this out, remember that you won't be just one single type of learner. You will have a lot more strength in certain areas, though. Uncover your own strengths and then develop a Japanese language learning strategy that is most effective for you.
Get Friendly With the Katakana Alphabet
You might not know this, but the Japanese writing system has more than one alphabet. One is called Katakana. It's the most basic alphabet, and it's used to write out foreign words and phrases, to dictate the names of plants, animals, and minerals, and also to type out technical and scientific terminology.
Additionally, it is widely used to post the names of food items, which makes it beneficial for you to comprehend. In addition, it is a phonetic alphabet, so it is fairly easy to understand. If you apply yourself, you can master the sounds of the 48 characters in the system in an evening or two. So, before you go out and attempting to tackle Kanji, the much more complex system of characters that comprise the principle written form of the Japanese language, get acquainted with Katakana. This will ease you into success, one step at a time.
Talk With a Native Speaker From the Start
If learning a foreign language that utilizes the same alphabet as your own, for instance, if you are a native English speaker mastering Spanish, you're able to learn quite a lot by simply changing your own pronunciation. When learning Japanese, though, you will find yourself creating sounds that are totally and completely different when compared with anything you are used to. Because of this, it's crucial that you start using a native Japanese speaker from day one.
Fortunately, doing this is as convenient as ever. You have a variety of opportunities. The initial one is to find a local Japanese speaker and work with him or her one on one. This is a great solution, but it is usually by far the most pricey. The next solution is to use language learning software or online instruction. Most of these packages, in the early days, were not very good. Today, however, you'll find high-quality, totally interactive language learning software programs taped by native speakers for less than one hundred bucks. This is a good deal less costly than getting a personal Japanese instructor, and you can complete exercises repeatedly until you are convinced that you've learned them.
Last but not least, if you need a no cost alternative, you can do a language exchange over the Internet. You simply go to a language learning community forum and search for a native Japanese person who's willing to teach you Japanese the Japanese language in return for you teaching him or her your own first language, whatever it is.
It doesn't necessarily make a difference which solution you decided on. Just be certain that you are conversing with a native Japanese speaker from the start; it really is substantially tougher to correct bad Japanese pronunciation than it is to simply learn it properly from the get go.
Summary
Mastering the Japanese language is usually difficult for Westerners, however, with a spot of preparation, you can have a superb learning experience. To make certain this happens, find out what particular style of learner you are, study the Katakana alphabet, and study with a native Japanese person from the get go.
Author Resource:
Take a look at my In-depth Rocket Japanese Review now! I walk you through the actual program displaying screenshots as I work.
Also be sure to read my latest article that compares English and Japanese .
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