Japanese is considered one of the hardest languages to learn, especially for English speakers. This is mainly because the Japanese language has three separate writing systems, a complex hierarchy of politeness, and a sentence structure that is quite opposite to English. With all these factors combined, it comes as no surprise that a lot of learners find Japanese a complicated language.
As with any other language, becoming proficient in Japanese takes time. No one can master the Japanese language overnight. That said, how fast you learn Japanese largely depends on a couple of factors, such as your native language, the amount of time you spend learning Japanese every day, and your ultimate goal.
Find out how long it usually takes for a beginner to become fluent in Japanese based on these essential factors.
What is Your Native Language?
Your native language is a crucial factor that determines how fast you can learn Japanese. Specifically, your learning speed will largely be influenced by how similar or different Japanese is to your native language. If you are a native speaker of English, you might find that the Japanese language is quite different from what you are used to.
As mentioned earlier, Japanese makes use of various writing systems, and its sentence structures and grammar are different from those of your native language. On top of this, you will need to learn most of the Japanese vocabulary completely from scratch. All these things naturally increase the amount of time it will take you to become fluent in Japanese. Unless you have studied an Eastern Asian language in the past, you should expect a steep learning curve when you first begin your journey toward mastering the Japanese language.
How Much Time Do You Spend Learning Japanese?
It goes without saying that the more you practise, the quicker you will pick up the language. A passionate learner who dedicates a few hours a day to practising Japanese will naturally improve faster than a casual learner who only studies the language for an hour or two every week. Although you do not necessarily have to study Japanese 8 hours a day, dedicating some time every day will help you achieve your learning goals quickly.
Just like when you are building a jigsaw, you can learn Japanese faster if you simply sit down and focus on it for a few hours rather than merely paying attention to it every now and then. Indeed, students who actively study the language for several hours per day are usually more equipped to attempt the advanced-level Japanese examinations, such as the Japanese Language Proficiency Test Level 2, after just about two to three years.
What are Your Goals in Learning Japanese?
Your learning goals are another crucial factor that determines how fast you learn Japanese. Before you decide to enrol in a Japanese class in Singapore, ask yourself what your goals in learning the language are and how you would define them. Depending on what your goals are, it may take you more or less time to attain them.
For instance, if you wish to learn how to write kanji, it may take you longer to achieve your objective than it would if you just want to learn how to speak Japanese conversationally. Kanji consists of the most complicated characters used in the Japanese writing system. Learning it requires plenty of memorisation and practice. Ultimately, to estimate how long it will likely take you to learn Japanese, you will need to think about every piece that makes up the language and determine which ones you wish to master.
Conclusion
There is no definite answer to the question of how long it will take for a beginner to learn the Japanese language. This totally depends on a number of factors, such as your native language, the amount of time you dedicate to studying Japanese, and what you wish to achieve from all of this. Nonetheless, if you want to learn Japanese in a relatively shorter period, it is highly recommended that you seek the assistance of a professional teacher by attending a Japanese lesson in Singapore.
For the most comprehensive and trusted Japanese classes in Singapore that are sure to help you achieve all your learning objectives, Japanese Explorer is the language school you should choose! We offer a multitude of AJALT-accredited Japanese courses taught by native speakers who adopt personalised teaching approaches to help every kind of learner become proficient in as little amount of time as possible. To find out more about our classes or to sign up for one, do not hesitate to contact us anytime.
