akamonkai_online One of the main reasons people pass on learning a new language is not knowing where to start. Even if you are passionate about the language and culture in question, it can be difficult to find the right course for you.
Every course is different, and depending on your situation, the ideal course for you will depend on a lot of factors.
However!
There are some qualities that are shared by all of the best online Japanese courses. That is exactly what we will be going over. You want your online Japanese course to be informative, fun, and flexible.
For that reason, let’s go over some of the values you should be looking for in your online Japanese course:
1. Qualified Instructors
In order for you to succeed in your learning journey, it is essential that your instructors are qualified. The best online Japanese courses have instructors who speak the Japanese language on a native level.
Mentors who are knowledgeable will give you a first-hand understanding of the Japanese language, in a way that cannot be experienced through classwork alone. Being able to get real-world examples for what you learn, quick and accessible information, as well as cultural context on the Japanese language is invaluable. The years of experience are what separates a good instructor from a great one, and a great instructor will facilitate a great course.
2. Reading/Writing Curriculum
Writing lessons are an extremely important aspect of your online Japanese language course. Written Japanese is complex, as it consists of three different writing systems: hiragana, katakana and kanji. The best online Japanese courses will introduce you to each writing system in an order that makes them digestible.
Usually, you will start with hiragana(the first syllabary that is taught in schools), then katakana(the syllabary for slang and loan words). You will also learn to read and write kanji, through understanding its patterns and recognizing meaning across different words. Too much information at once can be counterproductive, and the best online Japanese courses will ensure you progressively get better at reading and writing.
3. Speaking/Listening Practice
The best online Japanese courses will consistently have you practice your speaking skills. Speaking is something that many people are hesitant to try, due to fear of failure or their accent.
A high-level online course is one where you, as the student, can safely practice your speaking skills with a growth mindset and improve your skill as time goes on. Listening may be enough to understand a word of phrase, but through speaking, you will internalize what you learn.
Remember, similar to reading, writing and listening, speaking is a skill. Going out of your comfort zone by practicing will help you get better at it. If you really do not want to speak in front of others right away, practice speaking on your own time, as that will boost your confidence when speaking in front of others.
4. Interactive Content
For a student to be engaged in a Japanese language course, the material has to be engaging. This does not mean that learning should be compromised for the sake of having fun, but it does mean that combining the two will make for the best student experience.
For example, quizzes, role-play dialogue, visual learning through imagery and videos etc. The more interesting the lesson itself, the better your understanding of its content will be. Given that people perceive information differently, engaging lessons will be in line with your different learning methods and your knowledge will develop in more ways than one.
5. Cultural Insights
Learning about the culture of Japan is, for many people, the most enjoyable part of taking Japanese lessons. Although it is possible to learn about culture outside of courses, being educated by a native speaker will give you insights to local customs and stories that are not easily found in textbooks.
Whether your primary focus is the language or culture, the best online Japanese courses will not only teach you both; they will also teach you how they are connected to each-other. In the Japanese language especially, culture and social norms have a big impact on the vocabulary and the way the language is spoken, and its nuances.
6. Real-World Practice
Real-world practice is the way to fully register what you learn. This can be done in different ways. It could be a conversation with a native Japanese speaker, such as your instructor. It could also be reading a Japanese newspaper.
You could be reading street signs, or books written in the Japanese language. The closer your practice can be to everyday use of the language, the higher your proficiency will be. There is a massive difference between practicing the Japanese language in a course and practicing it in real life. The best online Japanese schools understand that, and give you plenty of real-world exercise to practice with.
7. Feedback and Assessment
The best way to improve at a skill is through feedback. The best online Japanese language schools will give you consistent feedback on your success, as well as areas for improvement. This can be done through assignments, quizzes, tests and on-the-spot exercise. Do not be intimidated, however.
Feedback is meant to help you improve. The idea that those who are good at something receive positive feedback only is a misconception. People who are good at a skill, or a language, need feedback equally as much as those who are struggling, as it is the gateway to further improvement. It is available to everybody equally, regardless of skill level and experience, so use it to your advantage.
8. User-Friendly Platform
Although different courses use different programs, a user-friendly platform is a feature shared by all the best online Japanese courses. After all, the student’s energy and attention should be focused on learning, not figuring out the buttons on the website.
If the platform is easy to operate and navigate, you are going to learn much faster than you would with a messy, cluttered application. The Duolingo app, for example, is a great way to supplement what you learn in your online Japanese course. Its greatest advantage is its ease of use.
From the home page to the lessons themselves, the program you use to learn the Japanese language should be the simple part of your learning experience.
9. Community Support
A good community is what separates the best online Japanese courses from the good ones. Learning with other people is much more interactive than doing it solo. This means it is more fun, you get to practice more, and you can learn from feedback given to others. If you feel like “everything is up to you” in your online Japanese course, consider joining a group lesson.
If you prefer one-on-one lessons, join a study group outside of your course for extra practice. Your instructors are part of your community as well, so join a course where they will ensure you feel supported.
10. Updated Materials
During an era of globalization, languages are constantly growing. New loan words are being introduced to the Japanese language, and new slang arises with trends as well. The best online Japanese courses stay up-to-date with information that is relevant and applicable to current grammar rules and everyday communication. Naturally, you will also learn historical and cultural facts, even if they are not related to the current everyday language.
For example, there are about 50,000 kanji characters in existence, but only around 2000-3000 are present in everyday use. The best online Japanese courses will teach you how to distinguish between the historical and the current.
11. Accessibility
Are the best online Japanese courses available on desktop? Or is it mobile? What if you don’t always have Wi-Fii?
The best online Japanese courses are available across different devices. Not only should you be able to access your material regardless of whether you’re on your phone, laptop or tablet; you should have the option to download certain files and access them offline as well.
The best online Japanese courses will not restrict you to a certain time or location, so it only makes sense that they won’t restrict you to a certain device type either. It is much easier to maintain progress in your online Japanese course, if you have easy access to it.
12. Flexible Learning Options
The reason many people decide to take their Japanese courses online is due to the time convenience of online learning. Depending on your education, career, family life, and especially time zone, you may not have many options with your schedule. This is why it is important to pick a language course that does.
The best online Japanese courses will give you different options and work loads, depending on your schedule. Whether you go self-paced, or want to attend a class at a unique time during the day/week, it is good to have flexibility with your time. You will be much more motivated and willing to start learning Japanese if you can find a schedule that works for you!
13. Cost-Effectiveness
Pricing is important when signing up for an online Japanese course. You do not want to be in a course that takes a lot of investment, if you are not learning as much as you’d like. The best online Japanese courses are not necessarily super-cheap or super-expensive.
It could be either. What is important is that you get the right value in exchange for how much money you spend. You want to be wise with your hard-earned income, and you definitely want to be satisfied with your progress in education, so evaluate your options carefully.
14. Helpful Staff
Having easy access to the staff of your Japanese language school is a sign that you’re in the right place. The best online Japanese courses have a strong commitment to student support. This could be offering additional guidance in case you are struggling, responsiveness with technical issues etc.
Another thing that is very important is answering questions. Getting clarity on what you are signing up for is important when signing up for an online course. If the staff in your course is responsive, honest and supportive, that is a very strong sign of a great Japanese language course.
Conclusion
There are a lot of online Japanese courses out there. The web is endless, after all.
It is important to distinguish, not only between the bad and the good, but the good and the great.
For the most enjoyable learning experience and the best results, looking for the right qualities in a course will take you to the right place.
And it looks like you’re already here! If you’re looking for the best Online Japanese course, check out Akamonkai Japanese Language School for an optimal learning experience.