If you want to succeed in learning the Japanese language, it is best to start at the right place and with the right people. You need to get the expert’s input into the entire process. To help you achieve this, we’ve elaborated four steps that will unlock your dreams of learning the Japanese language.
Steps for learning the Japanese language for a beginner
It’s likely for a beginner to feel overwhelmed by the demands of the Japanese language lessons. As such, you need to break down the learning process into manageable segments. Here are the four crucial steps that you should adopt:
1. Start with the basics
The primary stage of learning the Japanese language involves understanding the alphabets. There are three writing systems that will enable you to read and write Japanese flawlessly. They include the hiragana, kanji, and katakana.
The hiragana has 46 characters and 51 phonetic characters. Once you fathom this, you will understand the sounds of the Japanese words which will make speaking the language easier. This serves as a great foundation for learning the language. If you skip this step, you’ll have difficulties in speaking and writing Japanese.
Katakana is necessary when using borrowed words that are not natively Japanese such as scientific and technical terms. For a beginner, you’ll just be required to understand how to read katakana and acquire in-depth knowledge as the lessons progress. On the other hand, kanji consists of the Chinese symbols that represent Japanese words and phrases. Once you have mastered these basics, your tutor will advise you on how to apply them in a phrase adequately. This makes it easy for you to write, read, and speak Japanese.
2. Practice grammar
As you learn the basics of the Japanese language, you’ll notice that its grammar differs significantly from English grammar. As such, you must practice regularly to ensure that you grasp the accurate grammatical application of the language. For example, the Japanese language has only past and future tenses.
The Japanese writing system also differs from that of English; it’s written from right to left and from top to bottom. These variances from English may make it relatively tricky to self-teach. Thus, if you are highly keen in mastering the Japanese language, it is recommended for you to enroll yourself in a Japanese class in Singapore. During the classes, you will be coached by experts and you will get to interact with them regularly. By doing so, it reduces your learning time and increases your comprehension ability.
3. Understand the commonly used phrases
Before embarking on the complicated statements, it’s always advisable that you understand the phrases commonly used in society first. Such phrases may include “good morning, how are you?”
When you understand these basic phrases in Japanese, it’ll trigger your interest to learn more. Also, it will increase the chances of having a conversational partner who can frequently engage you, helping you polish your Japanese language skills.
4. Use Flash Cards
Practicing is crucial if you want to understand the Japanese language within a relatively short time. Besides having a conversational partner, you can always use flashcards that are specially designed for beginners. These cards will help you understand how to pronounce and write Japanese words.
To further enhance its efficiency, you can use the cards to label all the items in your house. When you see these items regularly, you’ll easily remember the words even without the help of the flashcards.
Bottom Line
As a beginner in your Japanese class, you should always be careful not to overwhelm yourself with complicated words and phrases during the introductory period. If you do this, you will find the course boring and unfulfilling, which will significantly reduce your chances of success. Instead, you should apply all the steps that we’ve provided herein to simplify the learning process.
