Japanese Language Software

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!

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!