“How do I learn Japanese?”
Without being literally in Japan, how do we learn Japanese?
Putting yourself in a circumstances where you’re (preferably with fun) forced to understand, listen to and speak the language you’re learning – is the key. At least that’s how I have learned English without living in English-speaking countries for more than a few weeks.
Making native speaker friends or partners for conversations, plus learning grammar and vocabulary on your own, at schools or courses etc., right?
I have been a Japanese teacher for many years both in Japan and Denmark, but it’s interesting that it’s not always the teachers (or native speakers) who have the best answer, it’s always in you, learners, when it comes to what method or what kind of way of learning is the best for you.
A couch “bringing the answer you have in you” is what I have been, more than only a teacher “giving knowledges and skills I have.” I respect your way of learning and if you’re in need, I’ll be there for you to assist you to the point where you want to get to, at Okaeri SCHOOL or if you’re around, FOF Aalborg.
You must have been looking around finding Japanese friends, good (free or charged) materials or courses, on or offline.
And I believe learners’ choice makes as much sense as teacher’s choice, so here I have put practical info all together by my students’ and clients’ recommendations as well as my own – hope it’ll help you and you’re welcome to share yours to others here by contacting us 😉
Textbooks:
GENKI 1 and 2 (latest: 3rd Edition)
http://genki.japantimes.co.jp/index_en
MARUGOTO https://www.marugoto.org/en/
Popular Online Dictionary:
Popular Apps:
- Anki (vocabulary)
- Kana town
- Japanese Kanji Study
- Duolingo
- LingoDeer
- Memrise
https://www.memrise.com
“besides their own language courses, there are also flashcards made by other users on various Japanese textbooks” (by my PeraPera student) - HelloTalk (language exchange, find free language partners)
- JAccent (for better Japanese accent)
- Kanji Memory Hint 1, 2, 3
- Challenge with Erin (I’d recommend this for beginner. Fun School Style! Create an account and get started it’s free):
https://www.apperin.jpf.go.jp/en/index.html
Popular Websites:
https://www.japanesepod101.com
Anime-Manga Japanese:
https://anime-manga.jp/en/
I’d personally recommend the “School Expressions by Scene” and try “Quiz: Sound Fx”
https://anime-manga.jp/en/expressions-by-scene/school
Quizlet for vocabulary training:
https://quizlet.com/subject/Genki-II/
Portal for Learning Japanese Nihongo eな
https://nihongo-e-na.com/eng/
Encyclopedia of Japan:
https://doyouknowjapan.com
Learning Hiragana in fun way:
https://www.tofugu.com/japanese/learn-hiragana/
“Learn Japanese to Survive”
https://store.steampowered.com/app/438270/Learn_Japanese_To_Survive_Hiragana_Battle/
Effective Kanji Learning:
Many of my studens use this and they are becoming Kanji masters actually:D First month free trial, I heard.
https://www.wanikani.com/
Another advanced student recommends (this is for free):
https://kanjialive.com
Kanji with jokes:
http://www.kanjidamage.com
For example: http://www.kanjidamage.com/kanji/31-white-白
Japan Foundation’s Learning Materials:
https://www.jpf.go.jp/e/project/japanese/education/resource/index.html
Pronunciation-Practice Links (Japan Foundation’s Recommendation):
https://www.japanese-pronunciation.com/
https://enunciate.arts.ubc.ca/japanese/introduction/
http://www.gavo.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp/ojad/jpn/pages/home
https://accent.u-biq.org/si.html
Reading:
“TADOKU (Lot of reading)” for simple Japanese:)
https://tadoku.org/japanese/en/
https://nihongo-e-na.com/eng/hint/id874_1.html
NHK Web Easy (News):
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/easy/
Grammar:
Grammar Guide for Beginners:
https://staging-japanistry.kinsta.cloud/japanese-grammar-guide/
Conjugation (verbs, adjectives, present/past tense, plain/polite forms everything) Check/Challenge!
https://baileysnyder.com/jconj/?utm_source=Tofugu
Conjugation (verbs) Check! (have to type all in Hiragana though)
https://steven-kraft.com/projects/japanese/randomize/
Subscription Movie/Anime/Drama Platforms:
Netflix (Ghibli film and many Japanese movies and dramas):
https://www.netflix.com
Cruncyroll (Anime series):
https://www.crunchyroll.com
