I NEED to learn Japanese!!!?

Question

I need to learn Japanese?
I really need to learn Japanese because my family is planing on going there for and extended period of time because my Mother is going to teach English.(Or something like that.) I really need to learn it because my Mother says that we can't go to Japan until we are at least somewhat flent in Japanese.
What is the fastest, most effective, and, if possible, easist, way to learn Japanese? Also, if there is anything that is something I need to know about Japanese culture, could you include that in your answer please? Any help is appreciated! Please, serious answers only!
Thank You!
(BTW, I already know a little bit of Japanese, and quite a bit about the culture.)

Answer 1

I don't think that there is an "easy" way to learn a language, just different way to learn.

If you are more concerned about being able to communicate with other people than your writing, then I suggest a good friend who is fluent in Japanese. Ask him/her to explain phrases that commonly appear every day and talk back and forth on the meaning of some words and sentences. Sometimes just talking can be a better teacher than books. If you don't have one than you can always ask around for a teacher and ask that teacher to focus mainly on listening and speaking skills in Japanese.

However, if you just want to be able to read signposts and notices, then get a proper teacher. This would take a long time because there are three alphabets and grammar and all sorts of stuff. If you ask me, since you're going to live in Japan, concentrate on your communication - you'll be able to actually understand the meaning and words.

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

Take a night class at a local college (or a school at a city near where you live) - that's the best way. The next best thing is to go to your local library and borrow some language CDs or tapes. They usually come with a book.
Then practice practice practice.
Go online and see if you can get some old issues of Mangajin. It's a great magazine that teaches Japanese culture and language by using the Manga comics and stories. It's a beautiful magazine, I love it!

Answer 3

well, i mostly learned japanese from watching anime and i was able to converse with people when i went to japan but i figured it wouldnt help me forever so i tried a cd-rom called Learn Japanese Now! by Transparent Language and it worked really well because you can have chat convos with the computer that teach you normal conversation. If that doesnt help you, classes are always an option. When you're in Japan, you should remember that it's a really polite country and mind your manners. oh and if all else fails, you can at least keep a couple of phrases around with you like these ones: http://www.cnfj.navy.mil/phrases.html

Answer 4

Well, hahahahahhahahahahhahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahaha, i don't think anyone can simply answer this.. the best way to do so is to get a Japanese Language text book, and emerse yourself in the culture, actually move to Japan... thats the best way...

Answer 5

before going to japan, you should know that they do not show their feelings very much.so most probably, you will find them unsympathetic. I'm learning Japanese for 2 years and my teacher is Japanese. also i have many Japanese friends in my university. i always ask questions to learn their cultures.i can share things i know.the most amazing thing that i learned from them is that: "parents NEVER give hug to their children or kiss them". can you believe that??? to confirm, i asked all my Japanese friends and here is their answer: my parents have never kissed me. thus i recommend you not to kiss Japanese :) also i heard that old people in japan do not look to each others face while talking. instead they look their chins.it's because of their being shy very much. by the way, i am going to be in japan in 2008-2009 thanks to exchange programme in my university. if you are going to be still in japan in 2008, see you there!!!
gambatte kudasai! not the exact meaning but nearly it means "try your best"

Answer 6

hi, i'm japanese. i hope you are excited about coming over here!
i'm a native japanese speaker, so i can't really give you any good advice on learning...
but we have too many ways to say one thing, it's different depending on who you talking to.
there are casual, friendly way, polite way, the most polite way, etc...
i recommend to start polite one (polite enough when you ask something to strangers.), and
your friends or teachers in japan can teach you more friendly version of them.
what is really hard to understand, i think, is our culture, or our life itself, i would say.
difficult to understand, but we are not difficult enough to give you a hard time when you first get here.
sorry my answer may confuse you more.
if you have more specific questions, please ask again.

Answer 7

first learn the basic expressions just to be able to get around on your own like wheres the bathroom, how much does it cost, what you would like to eat, for culture, if you are eating over someones house, leave some food on your plate to symbolize that they prepared enough food to make you full, also never "spear" your food with your chopsticks, it is impolite, dont forget to learn manners, and also say you are exchanging ideas for a project or business plan, DO NOT say what you think about the plan in front of everyone, instead, see them afterward and discuss with them privately your dislikes about their idea, my uncle had to learn that the hardway and had to take the guy to dinner to show his apology.

Answer 8

well u can go to websites like i did wen i first started like
http://freejapaneselessons.com/
or
http://animeworld.com/japanese/index.html
or
http://www.freedict.com/onldict/jap.html

OR buy a japanese dictionary like i did. it has a ruff guid in the back.i got it from borders.
then i took japanese lessons but i assume u dont have time for that.

Answer 9

SCHOOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!