Four Tips For Learning Japanese
Remember your first few days in middle school or high school when you were signed up to take Spanish or French as a second language?Well, learning Japanese can generate the same sort of excitement and anticipation. While teaching my students to speak Japanese, I came up with these four tips that will help you learn the language quite easily.
1. Make Mistakes. Yep! That’s what I said. And it’s true – just like walking, the more you stumble, the better you know how to deal with the path set before you. You or others may laugh when you fail, but you’re learning to win! So, at first, don’t be afraid of failing a lot!
2. Learn Katakana. Every language ends up borrowing words from other languages, Katakana is a writing system the Japanese use to express those borrowed words, most of them English. Learning Katakana will help you sound out words that are very familiar to you, only they will be written in Japanese. There’s a confidence-booster for you from the get-go.
3. Take Chances. Inevitably you’re going to flub when attempting to communicate in another language. But you’ve got to take that risk so you’ll learn. Really, where would we be as human beings if we didn’t chances? You may be a stranger in a strange land when you visit Japan. You will become less of a stranger if you attempt to use the language; even if you flub a lot your hosts will appreciate your effort. When you visit Japan, now matter how much you’ve done to prepare to respect the customs and use the language, you are a tourist and you will make some mistakes. Don’t be timid because of it, go ahead and take some chances, the native folks will help you.
4. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat. The more you drill, the easier customs and language can become second nature. Hone your skills, especially regarding the language, so you can easily call them up when necessary.
If it happens to rain on the day you were going to the beach or go shopping, use the time to read up on culture or news and practice your phrases or language lessons. Commuting time shouldn’t be wasted time. Listen to audio CD’s in your car. Or down load lessons onto your iPod and listen to them as you walk, or take the train or bus, to get to work.
Japanese is an intriguing language to learn, being well-spoken in it can advance your career, earn yourself foreign friends, or ease your travels in the Land of the Rising Sun.
If you enjoyed this article and you’re itching to start learning Japanese, check out basic Japanese phrases on my website, where I teach you learn simple Japanese.