Learning Japanese at the outset, it can be confusing trying to work out how much to spend on Japanese language software, courses and books. Let’s not beat around the bush, we are in tough economic times right now and affordability is an issue for most of us. And when you are starting out, all the spending on Japanese grammar and writing books, language courses and Japanese language software can add up. Plus we are swamped with choices, particularly online and we don’t want to purchase something, have it be useless, and then need to buy something else. We are faced with the problem: How can we affordably and satisfactorily learn Japanese?
The Solution: Make your decisions before you start.
The first step is to work out your motivation and what you want out of your learning. If you intend to do serious business in Japan or with Japanese firms then consider how important your fluency is. Remember that the Japanese economy is the second largest in the world, and that money spent now on premium language learning programs may pay themselves back tenfold in the future. Think of your payment now as an investment in your future. On the other hand, if you have planned a simple trip to Japan for a couple of months, and don’t mind just getting away with the basics, you may be wasting money buying books and expensive software you will never even use. Everyone will fall somewhere on this spectrum, so think about where you are at and what is reasonable for you.
Now that you know what you want, think about what you will need to achieve your goals. Are you going to need grammar books? Do you want face to face practise in a course? How long do you have to attain the level of fluency you want? Answering these questions will give you a good idea.
For Japanese language software, you can get several very good Japanese software packages for around $100 (such as Rocket Japanese); however premium packages can cost a lot more. With regards to Japanese learning books, you can pick many up for $30-$50, however you may need to purchase several. In an upcoming post, I will aim to review the best books with a price guide so check back soon.
Live language courses can vary hugely with location, too much to include in this post. The cost at a good school is often several thousand dollars; however some small workshop style classes can even as low as $20-$30 a class. Research whets available in your local area and make sure you understand the commitment required for it, adding together course hours and home study hours.
And to really reduce costs, wherever possible: Try before you buy!
I can’t stress this enough. Learning needs can vary a lot so what is right for one person may not be right for another. If you are going to purchase a book online, then check it out in a library or bookshop and take a look through it first. If you are going to buy Japanese language software, then try to find one with a free trial to actually test it for yourself. And when it comes to a Japanese course, ask if you can sit in on or briefly observe a lesson first. Also, try to get a hold of their curriculum to see exactly what they teach and at what speed.
As always, best of luck in your Japanese learning endeavors,
Sayonara!
