Are you one of those people who think you could never learn Japanese? I know, I know - the characters don't look anything like our alphabet (because they're not), and the words themselves sound much different than English (because they are). But just because the language is different doesn't mean it's impossible; 130 million Japanese speak it every day. If you want to know how to learn Japanese, read on! First, though, you need to identify the reason you need to learn the language. While your motive may not be so important in beginning the study of other languages, it's a critical factor in determining how to learn Japanese. Why? Well, if you're just going over to Japan for a very short time and will be spending most of your time with people who know English, all you probably need is a brief introductory course that teaches you a few essential phrases like hello, excuse me, I'm sorry, and the like. However if you need to speak and understand conversational Japanese from basic to intermediate level, then you need to learn more than just a few basic Japanese phrases. If you fit into that category, you may want to try either a formal Japanese course at a school, college, or university. Or you may prefer to learn using CDs, DVDs, or a computer-based format. Regardless of your choice of how to learn Japanese, make sure you select an audio-based method. You need to hear the language spoken by a native speaker. Books alone will not do. A good Japanese audio-based program is an example of an extremely natural learning method. It attempts to replicate the way Japanese children actually learn their language in the first place. How does this work? Well, first children learn what their native language sounds like as their parents speak to them. They learn through careful listening. As this takes place, the children are picking up vocabulary words they'll be able to use themselves as they learn to talk. Have you ever noticed that if you ask a toddler to "bring me the ball," he will comply long before he's able to form the words himself? He's acquired a passive vocabulary, but not yet an active one. You'll find, as you find out how to learn Japanese, that you'll follow the same progression recognizing words first, then understanding them, and finally being able to use them correctly. What about writing? You may ask. How will I ever learn to write Japanese if I can't even read those strange looking Japanese symbols? Well, it's up to you to decide whether you need to learn them or not. If you are just planning to visit Japan for a short holiday, then you possibly may not need to learn to read Japanese to begin with. However if you want to become fluent in Japanese then it is a good idea to learn to read the Japanese language as well. If you decide that for you, reading is an essential step in how to learn Japanese, study the kanas, hiragana and katakana, two basic components of the very complex Japanese writing system. And make flash cards! The most important aspect of any language, though, is not reading or writing it's speaking. You will have a huge advantage over other people traveling to Japan who do not speak the language, if you can manage to learn conversational Japanese even if it is just at a beginner level. So regardless of your decision on how to learn Japanese, concentrate on learning to speak it well, and enjoy your immersion in another culture!
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