akamonkai_online Learning a new language might seem intimidating at firms, and that is because it’s no easy feat. It takes patience, active listening & note taking, on top of having to practice with other speakers. The Japanese language has become particularly popular over recent decades, and that is for many reasons. Uniqueness being a major one. Some people may be intimidated by this, though.
Learning is a process – You CAN do it!
Did you know that Japanese combines three different writing systems? Hiragana, katakana and kanji. There is a common belief that learning new languages is difficult. Now, when the language in question has three distinct systems making up its writing system alone, that belief becomes stronger.
The unique nature of the Japanese vocabulary and letter may discourage some people, but it does not have to be that way. Learning Japanese might seem to some like a goal too difficult for most, but similar to all other languages, it is a process. Today, we’re going over how to ace your Japanese language class online and we will do so by focusing on 10 main tips.
1. Define your goals
The very first thing you need to do when learning a new language is ask yourself; why do you want to learn it?
Studying the Japanese language for knowledge
Your motivations will determine the approach you take when studying the Japanese language. If you want to be proficient enough to hold a conversation, it will not take as long as you might think. This can be achieved in a few months. For tourists, learning the basics for greeting and asking directions will take even less(a few weeks).
Studying the Japanese language for work
On the other hand, you might be someone who wants to work with a Japanese corporation. Japan is a major player in the motor-vehicle, steel and electronics markets and people who are looking to get leverage in these industries by learning the language will have to get much more specific while taking their Japanese language class online. In that case, you will likely need over a year if you’re starting from scratch, although it will boost your business and networking potential by a lot. If you want to speak on a native level, it will take several years, along with being in the presence of other native speakers. Determining the amount of time it takes to learn a language is not as simple as it looks. Your learning program and schedule can speed up the process by a lot.
2. Set your schedule
After setting your goals, it is time to decide on your learning schedule. How many days a week will you study Japanese? How many hours will you invest each day? Aside from how often you study, it’s also important to determine which days of the week you dedicate to your Japanese language class online. If your work schedule is irregular, or if you have children and an unpredictable daily life, it is possible to take your Japanese language class online in the form of pre-recorded lessons. This way you’ll be able to study on your own time.
Why it’s best to schedule your Japanese language class online
Although taking lessons asynchronously seems ideal, it is best to schedule your classes whenever possible. It is much easier to stay motivated and disciplined when an activity is scheduled and has a level of priority in your routine. Taking asynchronous Japanese language classes is better than nothing, and a viable option for those who have too much going on to schedule classes. Planning your study time is still ideal, however. According to UPenn, efficiently managing your time will improve your focus, quality of output and mental clarity while studying.
3. Dictionary
Oftentimes during your online Japanese lessons, you may run into words you don’t recognize. It also happens that people forget a word they learned earlier in the course, and have to use it in a new context. This is why it’s good to have a dictionary with you whenever you’re taking your Japanese language class online. It will save you the trouble of constantly interrupting your instruction mid-lesson, and it will also help you figure out the words you’re struggling with while still following the lesson in hand.
How a pure Japanese dictionary will help you in your Japanese language class online
If you want to take it a step further, get yourself a dictionary that is fully in Japanese. Yes, Japanese words, explained in Japanese terms. This will reinforce what you’ve learned, as well as your familiarity with the Japanese language. Japanese will sound more natural to you, and you will be able to make better connections between different words and concepts. You can get your dictionary as a physical book or in digital form. Regardless of format, it will be a great supplement to taking your Japanese language class online.
4. Write & Read in Japanese
When non-Japanese people say they know some Japanese, they usually mean speech. Even people who know enough to hold a basic conversation are limited only to speaking Japanese. Speaking is only half of the mastery you have over a language, however. The other half is reading & writing. And it’s not just kanji. The Japanese language has three different types of script.
Kanji, Hiragana & Katakana – What’s the difference?
You may already be familiar with kanji, which is the system that shows the meaning of words. Then we have hiragana, which shows grammatical function within the sentence. Katakana is used for foreign words, emphasis or Japanese slang. Japanese script can also be written both horizontally and vertically! For those curious, Glossika does a great job at explaining why the language works this way.
The Japanese language is very intricate, and that is why it is considered difficult to learn. The uniqueness of the letter is another thing to consider, on top of its complexity. It is a unique language system, which also makes it extremely fascinating. If you’re trying to learn Japanese to the fullest, reading and writing will make you fall in love with the language all over again.
5. Involve yourself in your Japanese language class online!
Being active in your Japanese language class online is easier said than done. Simply taking the class and reading your lessons is not enough to internalize what you learn. In addition to solving a lot of exercises, you can excel in your studies by:
Communicating with mentor & peers
If you’re in an online class setting, communicating with other students and practicing your skills in real-time will solidify your progress. If you’re learning one-on-one, make sure you ask your mentor as many questions as possible. Try to speak to them in Japanese as much as you can, as well. Even if it feels a bit cheesy, explain to your instructor that small talk in Japanese is helpful for your conversational skills. Do not limit your practice to dialogue exercises. It helps to speak the language you’re learning in real interactions to.
How to participate in your asynchronous Japanese language class online
If you take asynchronous Japanese language classes, it can be more difficult to actively participate. You often think to yourself, “as long as I finish my reading and tasks, I’ll be productive”, but many times you can’t recall any of it by the next day. If your lessons are prerecorded, put extra time into exercise. Write more, take the quizzes multiple times until you get an ideal grade, and reread any modules you struggle with. Make sure you take notes while listening to videos too(on paper is better), as writing is what makes the kanji stick with you.
6. Get a study buddy
Your friends
Let your friends know about your passion for learning the Japanese language. People love hearing about each–other’s hobbies and interests, so this will be a great point of conversation. Upon hearing you share what you love about the language, one of your friends might be interested in joining you. If not, they will be curious enough to ask you to show them what you’ve learned. According to Princeton University, teaching someone else is an effective way to internalize what you learn.
Find a study partner online
Another good option, if you want someone to study and make progress with, you can always find study friends in online forums. If you take the same Japanese language class online, you’ll be on the same page. If not, you can show each-other new things.
7. Talk to native speakers
Talking to Japanese people is also going to help you improve your Japanese skills. If you’re a beginner, this will improve your speaking and listening skills. Conversation will come to you much more naturally, the more you immerse yourself in the Japanese language. If you’re past the beginner level, this might be the practice you need to really become fluent.
Now, you don’t have to go to Japan for this. You have access to countless people online, so get on some language learning forums and search for someone to help you practice! It could be the start of a new friendship.
8. Have a mentor
Is it possible to take a Japanese language class online without an instructor? Yes. But having one will boost your progress by a lot. As backed by the University of Wisconsin Press, a mentor will understand your specific problems, and their job is to help you overcome them. Mentors tailor the lesson to the student’s needs, which takes a lot of pressure and confusion off you. This way, you can be focused on learning, rather than figuring out how to learn. Another big advantage of having a mentor is that they speak both Japanese and your bridge language(usually English). You can be fully comfortable while learning, as the communication aspect of it will be seamless.
9. Japanese media
Consuming Japanese media is undoubtedly one of the best ways to learn the language. Whether it be Japanese film, music, TV shows, manga(in kanji), or even following Japanese-speaking influencers. Make the Japanese language a part of your everyday life. You will refresh what you already know while learning new things, and the best part? It doesn’t even feel like learning. It is entertainment. Media is an incredibly underrated way of learning Japanese, as it won’t interfere with either your study or your fun time, but it will supplement both. By following Japanese media(which is some of the best out there), your reading and listening skills will improve by a lot. This will also give you a lot of topics to talk about with Japanese speakers, which will only further improve your conversation skills.
10. Be patient
Remember, learning a new language is a long-term process. You will see success implementing just one of these ideas, if you stay with it for a few weeks. You can also implement all of them and see no progress, if you quit after a few days. Patience is an important virtue, but if you struggle with it, that is not the be-all and end-all. Patience is a skill, which you can improve simultaneously with your Japanese. Keep on studying with the goal of learning, and trust in the long-term for the results.
The next step to take in your Japanese language class online
You can start by implementing any of the tips mentioned above. One at a time is perfectly fine. As long as you remain consistent, you will make progress in your Japanese language class online. Feel free to experiment and see which of these practices helps you the most. What matters is that you exit each lesson looking forward to the next one. These tips are meant to make that happen by optimizing how you study, so you can enjoy learning as you make good progress.
Join us at Akamonkai Online Japanese Language School for an interactive learning experience!