Archive for October, 2009

Japanese Language Software

20 Oct 2009

No Comment  japanese language program, japanese language software, japanese software, teach yourself japanese

 

So you want to learn Japanese? Whether you are planning a fun holiday to Japan, looking to do business in of the world’s biggest economies, or simply looking to expand your mind, learning Japanese can be a fun and rewarding experience. So, where to start?

When learning a new language, as with any other task in life, its good to go in with a plan. This ensures you will get things done quickest and most effectively. So, you might ask, what is the best ‘plan’ for learning Japanese?

Anyone that has successfully learnt a language will tell you that effective language learning generally requires two things. Eventually, it requires being able to speak in regular conversations with fluent Japanese speakers. However, especially when starting out, learning Japanese first requires the discipline and commitment to study the language yourself, at home.

To get good at Japanese you will need to do home study. Particularly for Westerners, the language is so different from what we are used to a lot of home study will be required early on to learn the language. However, don’t think that you can truly master the language through self-study alone. Rather, think of using Japanese language software or books as your weekly training; actually conversing with fluent Japanese speakers or heading to Japan is game day.

So, which Japanese language software is best?

There are several factors to consider when choosing a learn at home kit, be it a book, a software package, or a mix of the two.

Make sure that whatever package you choose allows you to try before you buy; or has reviews you can trust. Try to find the best tradeoff between cost, and quality. Generally the better programs cost more, sometimes above $500. Also carefully look at the structure of the program and what it offers you. Different people learn in different ways and at different speeds, look around to see what is right for you.

My number #1 recommendation is Rocket Japanese Language Software. It is a great all around software tool designed to make learning both fun and efficient. You can pick up the full package for a very affordable $99.95, or click on the link on the right and try a six day trial absolutely FREE!

In future articles I will compare several other books and software, along with providing many tips and tricks to make learning Japanese a breeze. Together, we will get you to where you want to be!

 

How important is it for a Japanese beginner to learn written Japanese?

25 Oct 2009

No Comment  japanese language program, japanese language software, japanese software, teach yourself japanese

 

People often ask should they be spending their time focussing on learning written Japanese, or should they focus on getting fluent in the spoken language? The simple answer is, it depends.

Here is the thing. Learning Japanese characters is difficult, particularly if you have no experience with anything other than the Western alphabet. There are three completely different writing systems, Kanji, Hiragana and Katakana (not to mention that the Latin alphabet is also often used for things like Pepsi or NATO). In particular Kanji is thought to be the most difficult aspect of Japanese to learn. There is no way to sugarcoat the amount of time needed to be able to become proficient. It’s a big involvement.

However, for many people, learning Japanese characters, particularly Kanji, can be both rewarding and enjoyable. There can be a sense of amazement when learning such an intricate system that is so different from what they are used to. And there is a great feeling to understand the written language behind the spoken word.

I hear you ask, how is this relevant to you?

Well it depends on what you want out of your Japanese study.

If you are going on a short holiday to Japan, the basic spoken word should suffice; most important signs will have an English translation anyway. In fact it has been often said that you can get by in Japan on short trips with just English and a phrasebook.

If you are going for a bit longer, or want to gain more of an understanding of the Japanese language, then finding some balance is probably appropriate. At least learning how to read Hiragana and Katakana, as well as basic Kanji would probably suit your purposes. Most Japanese language software packages try to find that balance to ensure you will be able to speak and communicate, but also know the basics of the written word.

That said, if you really want to gain a full understanding and appreciation of the Japanese language, and have the time to learn it, it is likely you will find studying Japanese characters an engaging and rewarding experience.

At the end of the day, its all about looking at your own motivations and deciding what is best for you, good luck!