How to learn Japanese Language by yourself in just 5 Steps

 

How to learn Japanese Language by yourself in just 5 Steps

Not everyone who learned to speak fluent Japanese studied in a classroom. With all the resources available online these days, it’s easier than ever to learn Japanese on your own.


Step 1: Learn Japanese pronunciation, core vocabulary first

First, start learning the most basic Japanese alphabets: Hiragana and Katakana. There are many free materials on the Internet. I highly recommend some videos on Youtube. It only takes you 1 week, even some hours to learn and memorize all Hiragana and Katakana (Kana) characters.

Next, build your core vocabulary and Kanji in Japanese. Many people hate learning Kanji because there are more than 2000+ Kanji to learn and each has some strokes, meanings and readings.


Step 2: Learn the Japanese that’s important to you.

One huge benefit of learning a language on your own is relevance—you only need to learn what you want to learn. You might be looking to learn how to speak Japanese for business or for travel. That means you can focus on certain phrases and vocabulary.


Step 3: Get some traditional textbooks

Of course, while apps allow you to set your own pace and schedule, there’s nothing wrong with more traditional language learning methods.

If you’re more serious about studying Japanese and ready to set aside a good portion of your time, then “Minna no Nihongo” is the book for you. It’s extremely thorough and teaches you how to apply the lessons in different scenarios.


Step 4: Familiar with basic grammar patterns

Of course, languages aren’t just vocabulary and common phrases. Spend time familiarizing yourself with basic Japanese grammar and sentence structure.


Step 5: Narrate your life in Japanese.

Authentic content is essential for learning real Japanese. Real-world conversations are full of slang and colloquialisms that you will only find when consuming native materials. A good place to start is to watch Japanese movies with subtitles.

You’ll learn how to piece together what you know and make sense of what you don’t. Think of it like a puzzle that you’ll get better at solving over time. While you can always split movies into smaller segments, a full-length Japanese feature may still be too intimidating.