Any ideas of how to learn a language with no money for classes and don't know anyone?

Question

I have been trying on my own and I've just started to learn some words... but I don't have any one to guide me when I am making a mistake and cannot practice any verbal exercises because the people I know don't know Japanese.

Answer 1

You can start out by browsing through the books on learning japanese in your neighbourhood library..

You should also watch some japanese dramas or variety shows which has english subtitles..in that way..you can hear how the natives speak it and japanese dramas are really nice to watch in my opinion!

you can even go online and try to find a japanese penpal at some penpal websites..it's really useful to have a penpal..they can help you correct your sentences and so on..

i'm learning korean now and i have a korean penpal who helps me correct the korean sentences which i write to her..and it's been pretty helpful!

Go hear some japanese songs too! Singers like Ayumi Hamasaki, BoA and Nami Amuro have pretty nice songs..

Gambatte! in your process of mastering the japanese language!

Answer 2

It's very difficult to teach yourself Japanese grammar. I tried while I was in high school, because I did not have anyone to learn from, and I also hated not knowing if I understood things correctly (or if the sources were even correct). I found that it was more beneficial to teach myself how to read/write Japanese. I first taught myself hiragana and then katakana. Then, I began to teach myself kanji. When you learn how to write, you should ALWAYS learn vocabulary words that use the kanji you are learning along with it. That way, you will have vocabulary.

I found a college that teaches Japanese, so now that I am out of high school, I can study Japanese formally, and by teaching myself hiragana, katakana, and kanji, along with vocabulary, I am a lot better off than many other students.

(do NOT use anime to learn Japanese. The Japanese in anime is very rude. If you talk like that in real life to Japanese people, they will be offended, and people will probably not like you.)

Answer 3

For beginner level stuff, books, CD's and on-line resources are nearly as good as taking a class, especially if you are highly motivated. Once you get the basics, you should try to find a Japanese person to talk to.

Hopefully someone else will come along and give you some good Japanese language learning web sites, I'm sure they're out there.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Try your local library. The only time it costs money is if you're late returning the materials. You can also try a dictionary for English / Japanese translation which shouldn't cost more than about $6 US. Try to find a japanese web site, you may luck out and find someone who knows English and is willing to help.

Answer 5

Elanguage has a program called Learn to Speak. They have several different languages (not sure about Japanese). It is a program that compares your pronounciation to a native speakers and has pre-set conversations that you can take part in.

Answer 6

Do all the stuff they said, and watch anime. You need to hear the language in a proper context so you know what you're learning.

Answer 7

Borders sells language tutoring books.