Learning any new language takes time and patience. More importantly, it requires the right tools and resources so that you can have a fun and seamless learning experience.

Hence, this article seeks to furnish you with all the essentials you need in order to learn the Japanese language.

Choose your medium

When it comes to learning Japanese, both online and traditional mediums have their pros and cons.

While there are many free online resources available such as websites and YouTube, some of them may not offer the best of quality; always use reviews and the comment sections to find the right one.

If you are looking for a beginner-level online resource to learn from, then Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese will help you just nicely. Some other supplementary resources that can help are Imabi (grammar), Memrise(Kanji), Wanikani(Kanji) and Japanese in Mangaland.

Traditional textbooks, on the other hand, provide better standards of learning materials and allow for an easier transition into higher-level courses in the future. This is because most textbooks are comprehensive in terms of topics. However, textbooks can be expensive.

One textbook option is Genki 1: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese. The book is designed to help people learn how to speak, listen, read and write with additional segments that offer cultural context.

Kana

The Japanese language revolves around Kana. Thus, it is important to memorise Kana, the system of syllabic writing used in the Japanese language, which has two forms – hiragana and katakana.

A simple way to learn, memorise and practice hiragana and katakana is to download and install Anki, a free SRS-based flashcard programme.

Another great resource is RealKana, a flashcard-based website where you can key in the corresponding romaji (Roman alphabets) for Japanese characters.

To learn and write Kana, the best approach is to practice on grid paper, which in turn, will allow you to perfect the correct stroke order.

Here are a few resources to help get you started with your Kana grid paper practice:

• Hiragana Practice Sheets
• Hiragana Chart
• Katakana Practice Sheets
• Katakana Chart

Further Studies

Once you have completed the basics and are looking to advance further to become an intermediate learner, there are multiple routes that you can follow.

You can choose a more defined study plan or focus your time on expanding your vocabulary and knowledge through non-traditional routes. For example, you could even opt to work on translating Japanese content into English.

As an alternative, you could also sign up for an online Japanese course or study group. This will help you learn the dynamics of conversing in Japanese with other peers of a similar level.

Even so, learning Japanese is a fun endeavour and what’s more, it is a valuable language to master, one that can increase your career prospects abroad. Hopefully these resources and tips can help you along your learning journey.

This article first appeared in jobstore.com

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