Read the article below and learn Japanese in five easy steps.
Are you excited about your next Asian trip? If you're traveling to the land of the rising sun, then it may be a big help to learn basic Japanese to make your travel a lot easier for a more unforgettable and enjoyable experience. You can learn how to introduce yourself, ask for tourist spot directions, and make some friendly requests in Japanese. While you might find speaking a new language quite challenging, there are effective ways to hasten the learning process. Read the article below and learn Japanese in five easy steps.
Enroll in a Japanese language school
One of the most straightforward ways to learn Japanese is by enrolling in a school that teaches the language. It's an excellent way to learn the language if you have enough time to prepare, or your trip will still be several months from now.
Japanese language schools have structured learning programs depending on the student's level, such as beginner, intermediate, or advanced. They employ native speakers as professional teachers to teach students basic Japanese grammar and daily conversations. You can learn the foundational language concepts with formal tutorial classes to establish strong linguistic skills.
Depending on your preference, you can learn Japanese online in private or through group classes. In a private class, you'll be typically assigned to a private trainer and receive one-on-one instruction. Alternatively, group classes are for small learners who will receive training together. Attending a group class may be advisable if you'll be traveling to Japan as a family or with friends.
Boost learning using printed media
If you prefer learning using books or other visual aids, you can buy a pocketbook Japanese-English dictionary, flashcards, or any Japanese language learning printed material. One of the advantages of learning a new language using printed media is you can write on them and underline or highlight important points to remember to boost retention.
With this medium, you can always check previous pages to remember something without straining your eyes, like what usually happens when you use your gadgets. Moreover, you can bring the pocket language book with you on your trip to Japan, which can come in handy when you need a quick reference.
Practice Japanese with family and friends
Once you have learned basic Japanese, you can practice speaking by doing it with family and friends. If you have Japanese classmates or neighbors, you can apply what you learned and try a good conversation using the language.
You can make your practice sessions more interesting by incorporating games, such as trivia questions about Japanese etiquette or famous landmarks, memory games, role-playing, and quizzes. The more exciting and engaging your practice activities are, the better. By doing so, you can learn faster and become more fluent in no time.
Daily application of all the Japanese lessons you’ve learned is a great way to hone your skills. For instance, you can teach your children basic Japanese words by pointing at an object or performing a task and telling them the Japanese term for it. Being a teacher to your family and friends can also broaden your knowledge and skills in the language.
Supplement learning using mobile apps
You can also supplement Japanese learning by using new technologies and mobile apps. This option may be ideal if your trip to Japan is in less than a month or you don't have time to take language classes.
Gamified language learning apps are available in app stores. You can learn Japanese at your own pace by taking on-demand language tutorials in slides, videos, or other interactive graphical formats. When choosing a language learning app, ensure to check customer reviews. In addition, you can also take advantage of their free trial versions to get a feel of how they work and if you find it easy to use for self-paced learning before subscribing.
Don’t forget to assess yourself
Lastly, assessing your performance is the only way to determine your improvement. To do this, you can record your Japanese conversations on your smartphone or any device. That way, you can quickly replay and check your grammar and pronunciation mistakes so you can learn from them.
Talking in front of a mirror or taking a video of yourself speaking in Japanese is another option to achieve the same results. You can also take online quizzes or challenges to gauge your Japanese language proficiency level. Don’t feel bad if you’re not fluent enough because practice makes perfect.
Conclusion
Prepare yourself for your Asian trip by learning Japanese through various steps, including attending a tutorial class, learning from your Japanese acquaintances, supplementing it using a language app, or through self-help options. That way, you’ll enjoy your trip taking selfies under cherry blossom trees, eating authentic Japanese food, exploring the cities, and mingling with locals more confidently by speaking the same language.
