What is the best method to learn Japanese?

Question

I'm hoping to live in Japan once I finish school. I bought myself a "Tech Yourself Japanese" set with book and audio CDs. Is it best for me to stick with this method of learning japanese first or will it be best for me to start teaching myself their written language right now? not romanji. I know for a fact I won't be in a city or college setting for me to practice japanese with others for 2 years. I'm not as passionate as I used to be about the language. Sometimes I think of giving up and just switching back to spanish which I have come a ways in because I know how to relate new vocabulary back to something I've known for years but with japanese everything is new. Everything. All is welcome.

I know that if I could take up a Japanese class then I wouldn't have this problem. I learn better in a classroom setting, by just listening. I will be going to a community college in January which offers no Japanese class, of course.

Thank you everyone for taking the time to answer!

Answer 1

Visit Japan and take lessons

Answer 2

SInce you've already started with one method, you might as well stick with it and see how it goes.

As for learning the written language, that's probably a good idea. For a language that doesn't use the Roman alphabet, one big hurdle is just figuring out what sounds the symbols make. It can only help! But don't feel bad if you find it's easier to stick with romanji when you're just starting out.

Do you already know Spanish? If yes, that's another reason to stick with learning Japanese? The **sounds** of Japanese and Spanish are actually quite similar. Obviously, the vocabulary is not, but if you already have good Spanish pronunciation, you're at a good starting point.

Finally, keep your eyes open for chances to practice what you're learning. Don't assume that you'll have no chance for two years, you never know what might happen.

Answer 3

I also think “Japanese for busy people” is a good book for English speakers because the grammar points are written in English, so you don’t need to buy many books. Actually there are 3 books of JBP (you can study the basics with the book 3) and alls of them will be revised soon. The book 1 (for beginners) was already published. The book 2 will be printed in next month, Jan. 2007 and the book 3 will be printed in late 2007. The best thing of the new edition book 1 is comes with free CD, and another good point is there are lots of space to write for exercises. I think it must be good for self-study students, it looks like a “work-book”. Some people say “ Genki “ is a good book too. ( I don’t know about this book personaly.)

Answer 4

I took four courses of Japanese in college. It's rough, even with a teacher. I like the textbooks "Japanese for Busy People" They are easy to understand and quite informative. You need to go ahead and start learning Hiragana and Katakana because the better textbooks teach in those languages. Sometimes you can find a tutor online or a penpal from Japan, and they can help as well.

Answer 5

If spoken is your first priority, grammar books won't do 100% of a good job. I mean, it would be good to know how to compose words, but some grammar books use expressions that are too polite or rarely used in casual conversation. I have a friend from Mexico who studies right now here in Japan, and he complained about Japanese textbooks being too formal and hard to apply to casual everyday conversations. And it's quite true. Of course, it would be best to know the basics of course! If you want to read simple things, first learn to read and write Hiragana, then Katakana and save the hardest for last, which is I think you know is Kanji. What I did to learn these stuff was just write them down, until I can finally remember them. Then write simple sentences using the characters I've memorized/learned. When I studied Japanese, I first knew how to listen and then responding came next. It took me a year to be able to understand what they're saying and another year to be able to respond and make casual conversations. It was really tough for me since the only learning program I took was Japanese lessons once a week for 6 months. It did help, but I think I learned fast because I was exposed to Japanese language everyday. They teach you basics like counting, saying your age, and stuff, but the real stuff I got on tv or my friends. I mean, you wouldn't really use '-desu/-masu' when talking to your peers, only to teachers and adults. There are loads of free sources on youtube if you want to learn Japanese. Also try watching Japanese shows, that might helped. It did for me :/ lol Well, yeah pretty much, being decent is considered to be the MO. But, you should say thanks! I got used to denying compliments you know, but turns out, if it's your friends, you can just joke around. I think Japanese culture is kinda changing. If it's an adult that told you that, you could deny and say thank you. If it's a friend, I think it's okay: I know right?! They might think it as a good sense of humor. Once I heard my friends talking that when someone says to them 'kawaii' they just say : 'yeah I know', or something like that. Turns out blushing and denying it could be awkward, haha.

Answer 6

Try Rosetta Stone - Japanese
http://www.rosettastone.com/en/offer/googlepage/jpn

Answer 7

Have someone from Japan teach you.