Learning Japanese: The Best Resources and Learning Tips!
Hello, everyone!
So, this year I will pursuing Japanese even further since I'm going to study it at university, so I thought I'd share a few ways I learn or stay motivated.
Now this can apply to learning any language, but if you force yourself to memorize and learn it, you might end up with the opposite effect. That's why you should find the enjoyment of it
Memrise
Memrise is a site I use that focuses on retention of words in your short and long term memory, it's like electronic flashcards in various formats.
You can use existing courses (which sometimes include picture or memes that'll help you remember particular words) or you can make your own course!
Flashcards
I find flashcards very helpful for recognizing words and memorizing their meaning. If you print out all your kanji, cut them out and then write the meaning/pronunciation on the back, and use them for practise, it helps a lot!
Flashcards
I find flashcards very helpful for recognizing words and memorizing their meaning. If you print out all your kanji, cut them out and then write the meaning/pronunciation on the back, and use them for practise, it helps a lot!
Flash cards are also great to take with you when you are travelling or something as you can whip them out and practise in your spare time.
If you want a website/program that focuses purely on flashcards, then try out Anki!
Write out your kanji/words!
I remember things well when I write them out - of course, that might not work well with everyone, but you're basically killing two words with one stone. You're learning to write it out as well as learning the word. I find that when I used to do this on paper, it would use up a lot of pages, even when I fill up the whole page, so I came up with the idea of using a small whiteboard to do this - it saves paper and you can write and erase the word over and over.
Textbooks
Textbooks provide a great start on your learning journey and plenty of ways to practise and learn your grammar and vocabulary!
Music
If you enjoy what you learn, you'll have fun and most likely stay motivated! So, if you were to have fun listening to a song in the language you wish to learn - you'll be getting used to the pronunciation of it, learn new vocabulary and spike an interest in trying to understand what they're singing, right?
TV Shows/Videos
Watching dramas, shows, cartoons or anime where the language you want to learn is spoken with English subtitles, really helps! It helped me pick up a lot of phrases that are commonly used in conversation and also helps you get used to pronunciation and tone.
Youtuber Melodee Morita suggested recently that something that really helps is to find a show you really like, and watch it so many times you have it pretty much memorized it, then watch it without subtitles and see if you can pick up on the language and understand it.
Chat with real people
That probably sounds really dorky, what is a "real person", haha. I mean that normally interacting with people fluent in that language can help you and pick up on your mistakes. It's practise your conversation skills and coming up with sentences on the spot.
Apps
One app that I have yet to try out is HelloTalk - it's kind of the virtual version of the previous tip. It's kind of a language exchange - you talk with people who want to learn your language and you want to learn theirs, and through the chat box you can correct their sentences and everything.
Enjoy life!
Write out your kanji/words!
I remember things well when I write them out - of course, that might not work well with everyone, but you're basically killing two words with one stone. You're learning to write it out as well as learning the word. I find that when I used to do this on paper, it would use up a lot of pages, even when I fill up the whole page, so I came up with the idea of using a small whiteboard to do this - it saves paper and you can write and erase the word over and over.
Textbooks
Textbooks provide a great start on your learning journey and plenty of ways to practise and learn your grammar and vocabulary!
Music
If you enjoy what you learn, you'll have fun and most likely stay motivated! So, if you were to have fun listening to a song in the language you wish to learn - you'll be getting used to the pronunciation of it, learn new vocabulary and spike an interest in trying to understand what they're singing, right?
TV Shows/Videos
Watching dramas, shows, cartoons or anime where the language you want to learn is spoken with English subtitles, really helps! It helped me pick up a lot of phrases that are commonly used in conversation and also helps you get used to pronunciation and tone.
Youtuber Melodee Morita suggested recently that something that really helps is to find a show you really like, and watch it so many times you have it pretty much memorized it, then watch it without subtitles and see if you can pick up on the language and understand it.
Chat with real people
That probably sounds really dorky, what is a "real person", haha. I mean that normally interacting with people fluent in that language can help you and pick up on your mistakes. It's practise your conversation skills and coming up with sentences on the spot.
Apps
One app that I have yet to try out is HelloTalk - it's kind of the virtual version of the previous tip. It's kind of a language exchange - you talk with people who want to learn your language and you want to learn theirs, and through the chat box you can correct their sentences and everything.
Hopefully those tips help a bit! Have you ever wanted to learn a new language? Do you have any tips? Let me know!
Enjoy life!
Nina
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