subject: Four Tips Will Help You Learn Japanese [print this page] Intimidating? PerhapsIntimidating? Perhaps. Exciting? For sure! Those are the emotions you might experience as you undertake learning Japanese as a second language - just like grade school or middle school. While teaching my students to speak Japanese, I came up with these four tips that will help you learn the language quite easily.
1. Make Mistakes. That's right, the more errors you make, the more you know what you don't know. And that's the larger part of learning. Making mistakes will help you learn more easily than you dreamed possible. Fail often! That's the rule! Failures are success waiting to happen!
2. Learn Katakana. Every language ends up borrowing words from other languages, Katakana is a writing system the Japanese use to express those borrowed words, most of them English. Once you learn to read Katakana, you will be pleasantly surprised that you will be making the sounds of words that are very familiar to you, only they will be written in Japanese. Learning Katakana as you start your Japanese lessons can be a real help to your self-confidence.
3. Take Chances. Speaking in any language, even your own, can sometimes be risky business. Take the risk. The worse that can happen is that you will learn what NOT to do. Really, where would we be as human beings if we didn't chances? Japanese folks will never sneer at you if you attempt to communicate with them in their own language, they may laugh little but they will appreciate your efforts in the kindest way - they'll help you. When you visit Japan, now matter how much you've done to prepare to respect the customs and use the language, you are a tourist and you will make some mistakes. Don't be timid because of it, go ahead and take some chances, the native folks will help you.
4. Repeat, Repeat, Repeat. The more you drill, the easier customs and language can become second nature. Hone your skills, especially regarding the language, so you can easily call them up when necessary.
If it happens to rain on the day you were going to the beach or go shopping, use the time to read up on culture or news and practice your phrases or language lessons. Do you know how to make your commute time pass quickly? Listen to CD's in your car as you head to work. Put lessons on your iPod so you can listen as you walk, or take the bus or train, to get to work.
A delightful language, learning Japanese could give you a career boost, help you make overseas friends, or help you have fun on an already exciting tour of the land.
