7 answers
Alicia
Student
Colorado Springs, Colorado
2
Questions
Asked
900 views
Does anyone know a better way to study a foreign language by yourself?
i am trying to learn enough Japanese to be able to take the AP exam for it and I'm not sure if there's a good way for me to learn it. I've watched several videos about kanji and know the basics for grammar, but is there a more efficient way?
#foreign-languages #japanese #online-learning #self-improvement
Login to comment
7 answers
Satoru Shinohara
Software Engineering
4
Answers
Durham, North Carolina
Updated
Satoru’s Answer
Hi Alicia!
I say this to everyone that is trying to learn a new language, and that is to immerse yourself into others who are speaking the language. However, that can be difficult, and your question asks how to do it alone.
Because of that, I would personally recommend watching your favorite media and try to take part in it yourself.
For example, watch a Japanese Drama, and when certain characters are speaking, try to take part in the conversation by coming up with responses by yourself.
Then, hearing other character's response would allow you to give insight into different choices in grammar, or vocabulary.
I say this to everyone that is trying to learn a new language, and that is to immerse yourself into others who are speaking the language. However, that can be difficult, and your question asks how to do it alone.
Because of that, I would personally recommend watching your favorite media and try to take part in it yourself.
For example, watch a Japanese Drama, and when certain characters are speaking, try to take part in the conversation by coming up with responses by yourself.
Then, hearing other character's response would allow you to give insight into different choices in grammar, or vocabulary.
Megumi Honbu
Online merchandising
2
Answers
Miyazaki, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan
Updated
Megumi’s Answer
Hi Alicia,
I'm so happy that you are interested in Japanese language.
It is great opportunity for you to have foreign (Japanese) culture and You will get a good stimulus through learning.
I think making a lot of Japanese friends and communicating a lot is the best way to learn Japanese language.
By communicating, you can know not only the language but also the culture and customs of the other party. If you know the culture and customs, you will be able to know more about your own country and roots.
Hope you will have a wonderful experience.
Good luck!
I'm so happy that you are interested in Japanese language.
It is great opportunity for you to have foreign (Japanese) culture and You will get a good stimulus through learning.
I think making a lot of Japanese friends and communicating a lot is the best way to learn Japanese language.
By communicating, you can know not only the language but also the culture and customs of the other party. If you know the culture and customs, you will be able to know more about your own country and roots.
Hope you will have a wonderful experience.
Good luck!
Jennifer Jortner Cassidy
Passionate Learning & Development Professional, Dedicated to Client Service
15
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Jennifer’s Answer
Hi Alicia,
I can't speak specifically to Japanese, but I am also studying to learn Italian.
I use Duolingo which is free and you can put the app on your phone. It's great for quick and interactive learning that can be done in 5 minutes a day.
I'm also in an EdX course which has been great for more comprehensive learning.
YouTube videos as well - look for kids stuff, think sesame street just like we learned English when we were young.
Lastly, I've formed a group with 4 other people studying Italian. We meet ever 2 weeks to practice and keep each other accountable.
Hope that helps - best of luck!
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6183
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Alicia,
Here's a guide on how to effectively self-study a foreign language, specifically Japanese, and gear up for the AP exam:
1. Dive into Japanese Media: A great way to hone your language skills is by immersing yourself in it. Watch Japanese films, TV series, anime, or listen to Japanese music. This will give you a feel for the language in its natural setting, aiding in improving your pronunciation, vocabulary, and sentence construction.
2. Engage in Language Exchange: Try to find a language exchange partner who is a native Japanese speaker wanting to learn English or your mother tongue. This will allow you to practice conversational skills with a fluent speaker, and in turn, assist them in their language learning journey.
3. Harness the Power of Online Resources: Make the most of online resources like language learning apps such as Duolingo or Rosetta Stone, which offer structured Japanese lessons. Websites like Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese and NHK World are also valuable as they provide detailed grammar explanations and insights into the culture.
4. Use Flashcards for Kanji: Kanji can be quite tricky due to its intricate characters. Employ flashcard apps like Anki or Quizlet to regularly practice writing and recognizing kanji. Remember, regular practice is the secret to mastering these characters.
5. Speak Up: Language learning is not only about reading and writing. Speaking is just as crucial. Practice speaking Japanese aloud, even if you're only talking to yourself or recording your voice to spot pronunciation mistakes.
6. Set Clear Goals: To keep your motivation levels high and monitor your progress, set clear goals for each study session or week. For instance, strive to learn a specified number of new vocabulary words or finish a grammar exercise within a set timeframe.
7. Participate in Online Language Communities: Get involved in online forums, social media groups, or language exchange platforms for Japanese learners. These platforms will give you a supportive community where you can ask questions, share resources, and practice your skills.
By integrating these strategies and maintaining consistency in your efforts, you'll effectively boost your Japanese language proficiency and get ready for the AP exam.
Here are the top 3 authoritative sources used in answering this question:
Duolingo: Duolingo is a renowned language learning platform that provides courses in various languages, including Japanese. It offers interactive lessons that cover vocabulary, grammar, listening, and speaking exercises.
Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese: Tae Kim’s website provides exhaustive explanations of Japanese grammar concepts in a user-friendly format. It's an invaluable resource for learners aiming to deepen their understanding of the language’s structure.
NHK World: NHK World is Japan’s public broadcasting organization that provides educational content on Japanese language and culture. Their online resources include articles, videos, and programs aimed at helping learners enhance their Japanese skills.
Stay Blessed!
James Constantine Frangos.
Here's a guide on how to effectively self-study a foreign language, specifically Japanese, and gear up for the AP exam:
1. Dive into Japanese Media: A great way to hone your language skills is by immersing yourself in it. Watch Japanese films, TV series, anime, or listen to Japanese music. This will give you a feel for the language in its natural setting, aiding in improving your pronunciation, vocabulary, and sentence construction.
2. Engage in Language Exchange: Try to find a language exchange partner who is a native Japanese speaker wanting to learn English or your mother tongue. This will allow you to practice conversational skills with a fluent speaker, and in turn, assist them in their language learning journey.
3. Harness the Power of Online Resources: Make the most of online resources like language learning apps such as Duolingo or Rosetta Stone, which offer structured Japanese lessons. Websites like Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese and NHK World are also valuable as they provide detailed grammar explanations and insights into the culture.
4. Use Flashcards for Kanji: Kanji can be quite tricky due to its intricate characters. Employ flashcard apps like Anki or Quizlet to regularly practice writing and recognizing kanji. Remember, regular practice is the secret to mastering these characters.
5. Speak Up: Language learning is not only about reading and writing. Speaking is just as crucial. Practice speaking Japanese aloud, even if you're only talking to yourself or recording your voice to spot pronunciation mistakes.
6. Set Clear Goals: To keep your motivation levels high and monitor your progress, set clear goals for each study session or week. For instance, strive to learn a specified number of new vocabulary words or finish a grammar exercise within a set timeframe.
7. Participate in Online Language Communities: Get involved in online forums, social media groups, or language exchange platforms for Japanese learners. These platforms will give you a supportive community where you can ask questions, share resources, and practice your skills.
By integrating these strategies and maintaining consistency in your efforts, you'll effectively boost your Japanese language proficiency and get ready for the AP exam.
Here are the top 3 authoritative sources used in answering this question:
Duolingo: Duolingo is a renowned language learning platform that provides courses in various languages, including Japanese. It offers interactive lessons that cover vocabulary, grammar, listening, and speaking exercises.
Tae Kim’s Guide to Learning Japanese: Tae Kim’s website provides exhaustive explanations of Japanese grammar concepts in a user-friendly format. It's an invaluable resource for learners aiming to deepen their understanding of the language’s structure.
NHK World: NHK World is Japan’s public broadcasting organization that provides educational content on Japanese language and culture. Their online resources include articles, videos, and programs aimed at helping learners enhance their Japanese skills.
Stay Blessed!
James Constantine Frangos.
Anthony Johnson
Account Executive
22
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Check out Duolingo! Search for guides on Youtube. And leverage podcasts. A good one for learning Spanish is "Coffee Break Spanish"
Kevser Kanat
Sales
5
Answers
London, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Kevser’s Answer
Hi Alicia,
I am using the Duolingo app to learn French right now. It is convenient and fun. I am sure there are many other apps out there for free.
- Youtube
- Livemocha
- Rosetta Stone
I am using the Duolingo app to learn French right now. It is convenient and fun. I am sure there are many other apps out there for free.
- Youtube
- Livemocha
- Rosetta Stone
Roger Perrier
Sales
20
Answers
Dublin, County Dublin
Updated
Roger’s Answer
A free, fun and simple way to get you started in foreign language conversations are language Exchanges.
The following tool, lets you exchange languages from people around the world,
https://www.tandem.net/
Using Manga to learn Japanese can be also both fun and instructive
https://www.fluentu.com/blog/japanese/learn-japanese-with-manga/
Flashcards are a great way to memorize Kanjis you can look Japanese specific things here:
https://www.brainscape.com/
The following tool, lets you exchange languages from people around the world,
https://www.tandem.net/
Using Manga to learn Japanese can be also both fun and instructive
https://www.fluentu.com/blog/japanese/learn-japanese-with-manga/
Flashcards are a great way to memorize Kanjis you can look Japanese specific things here:
https://www.brainscape.com/
Very helpful answer
Fiona Taylor Casey