Thursday, May 6, 2010

5 Easy Ways To Learn Japanese

If you would like to get started learning Japanese, you might be wondering what is the best way to study it. There are strategies to learn aside from taking a class or reading a textbook. Keep reading to discover some interesting ways you can start studying the Japanese language.

The first thing to do would be to check out some Japanese cartoons called "Manga". These kinds of Japanese cartoons are made for kids but also adults too. You'll see businessmen read their favorite manga on their way to work. You might see some businessman get their copy of their favorite Manga on the subway and read them on the way to work. Manga could make your casual Japanese better and it is full of casual Japanese and slang that you probably won’t find in many textbooks.

The second thing to try and do is to visit restaurants that serve Japanese food. This will let you practice your communicating and reading skills when you go to a Japanese restaurant. The menu might be written in Japanese and you can test yourself if you are able to read the words in Japanese. Impress your waiter by ordering in Japanese. If you can't order in Japanese, you can practice simple words like "Thank-You" (arigatou).

Third, read some local Japanese newspapers. In many large cities around the world where there is a Japanese community, you will find free Japanese newspapers or magazines. They are directed to the local Japanese community. Even if you only know a few characters in hiragana, katakana, or kanji you might be able to understand some advertisements and articles. If you can understand a few words and symbols to see them used in real situations, it will feel great!

The fourth activity is to learn Japanese with a computer program. Having a computer is great because it could help you learn the language and pronunciation. You can find games or other methods to help you learn or you can buy Japanese language software. Programs on the iPod or iPhone are also popular for understanding and learning Japanese.

Lastly, an effective way to experience Japanese language and culture firsthand is to go to Japan. You will be astonished at how quickly you can master the language once you are in the actual country. One of the great way to meet people and push yourself to speak Japanese is in a homestay program.

You'll be able to learn Japanese with these five unorthodox tips. I think you can find ways to continue learning Japanese in a fun way.