Once you decide to learn a new language, you have a lot of decisions to make. You have so many different ways of learning Japanese that the choices may feel overwhelming. You might search for a Japanese course in a classroom or decide to learn Japanese online. Perhaps a private Japanese teacher would suit your schedule and budget better.
You could even study Japanese with videos on YouTube. In all cases, your smartphone and other devices can boost your learning efforts. For instance, to learn the Japanese writing system on the move, you can use your smartphone or tablet as you commute.
Whether a busy commuter or not, language-learning applications on your devices will serve you well. Some allow offline usage while others need an internet connection. Some focus on specific Japanese language skills while others take a more general approach. Downloading several apps gives you the best of all learning tools.
The only question is which ones are worth your time - and, possibly, the expense? In this article, Superprof examines different apps to learn Japanese based on the language skills they focus on and their ease of use. We also discuss their advantages and shortcomings and explore all their features. If you have a favourite Japanese language learning app, won't you tell us how it compares to the one on our list?
The Best App to Learn Japanese
Bilingual applications for smartphones and tablets are thriving and Japanese is a part of this equation. Smartphone or tablet applications entice you to be much more involved in your learning. Apps for learning basic Japanese usually focus on Nihongo, the form of Japanese new learners study.
However, what makes an app the best depends on your needs and reasons for learning Japanese. You might be a beginner language learner who wants to study Japanese words and phrases out of personal curiosity. Or you may be headed to Japan for work or pleasure. As with any learning initiative, you will have to ask yourself the right questions to find the right resources.
A gamified app likely won't do for learners preparing to sit the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). On the other hand, if you're an absolute beginner or even an intermediate Japanese speaker, playing games with the language could help you learn faster.
Some applications target a beginner audience; they serve as an introduction to Japanese. Others require some knowledge of the language before users can see their value. The language learning app field is broad so regardless of your aims, you'll find a few that meet your needs. You may then use your chosen apps to help you learn Japanese online or in class.
Best Apps to Learn Japanese and Their Advantages
Compared to studying Japanese through textbooks, applications are practical and usable in nearly all circumstances. To wit, it's much easier to whip out your phone or tablet than a 300-page textbook on a crowded bus. Learning Japanese on your smartphone with an app is much easier in such circumstances.
Continuing the book versus app comparison, let's talk about engagement. Apps are interactive; you must engage with them to advance to the next learning goal. By contrast, you can open a book to any page you like; it won't care whether you've mastered the information on the previous pages.
App learning revolves around the spaced repetition concept. That means you'll see the same information presented in different ways at set intervals. Books also repeat information but they may present it several chapters later. Often, a textbook mentions previously-studied information only in passing.
Some Japanese learners prefer a fun, gamified application like Duolingo. This brand claimed the Number One language learning app spot because, for a long time, it was the only 'game' in town. It incorporates the spaced repetition concept but in a fun way. But this app no longer commands the field, nor is it in first place for Japanese learners.
The app LingoDeer is the best for students looking for structured learning experiences. It's targeted at beginner and intermediate Japanese learners. You may also download Anki, an effective study companion to any other app you may use. Both of these are available for Android and iOS.
Bunpo is a great app to help you master Japanese grammar; it too would work well alongside your formal Japanese lessons. To get a grip on writing kanji, try the Japanese Kanji Tree Pro (only for Android), which will help your kanji recognition skills. To hone your Japanese speaking skills with native Japanese speakers, try HelloTalk. This language exchange platform encourages written and verbal communication between learners.
This handful of apps will help you start learning Japanese on your own and enrich your Japanese classes. However, the range of language learning apps is much much broader than when Duolingo ruled this field. Let's look a other apps that offer more than language learning.
One choice is Superprof! Learn Japanese Sydney when you find a personal tutor for face to face or online classes.
Best App: Learn Japanese With JA Sensei
Vocabulary, verbs, adjectives, the kana alphabet (hiragana, katakana), kanji, writing; you'll learn everything with JA Sensei. The application is well-designed and works on spoken Japanese as well as the written aspects of language learning. For the oral part, there are modules to help you review or learn kana, and master their pronunciation.
This platform features quizzes; you can choose beginner, intermediate or advanced levels. In hands-free mode, the application asks you oral questions that you must answer as quickly as possible. You may use the flashcards to build your grammar skills. The app boasts 34 Japanese lessons to master your sentence structures as well as elementary Japanese grammar.
JA Sensei offers free and premium versions. The free version gives you generous access to its resources; you don't need to pay for premium content until you're well into your studies. Its companion website delivers even more learning tools but it requires a sign-up. That's a small inconvenience to track your progress and gain access to all this platform has to offer.
The only downside we found was that this app is only available on Android. Still, iOS users can access the website to enrich their learning with JA Sensei. For some, it's just as effective as learning Japanese by webcam or studying the Japanese language by video.
Best App to Learn Japanese Kanji
Learning how to write in Japanese is one of the most challenging aspects of learning this tongue. It's not just that this language doesn't use the same alphabet as English and many other languages. And it's not only because the Japanese writing system looks nothing like what we're used to. It's that this tongue has three separate systems, each with its specific functions.
Mastering writing in Japanese takes a lot of time, patience and practice. You should have a quality resource to help you build Japanese writing skills. Earlier, we mentioned Japanese Kanji Tree Pro for Android. Like the app in the previous section, it offers free and premium versions, the latter of which will help you prepare for your Japanese language exam.
Find your perfect personal tutor to teach you everything you need to know about this amazing language with an online Japanese course on Superprof!
JEDict (iOS) and AEDict (Android) take a unique approach to kanji practice. First, they're dictionaries. You can use it to look up any word in any language to get the Japanese translation. Then, the app displays one kanji at a time and shows you how to write it, stroke by stroke.
These apps come packed with features that go far beyond a simple offline dictionary, like other great English-Japanese translation tools. You can store notes, monitor your progress and learn each kanji's history. It explains radical usage and how they give each kanji meaning. Some users find the apps' design a bit austere but for their functionality, they can't be beat.
Best App: Learn Japanese Vocabulary
No language study would be complete without building an extensive vocabulary. Today's digital dictionaries go beyond verifying definitions; you can use them to grow your vocabulary. But for short, daily bursts of language learning, you'll find no better than Drops.
Drops has a gamified feel but is nevertheless a serious resource to boost vocabulary building. Once you download it and select Japanese as your target language, you'll choose your word category to begin the lesson. Drops uses spaced repetition and mnemonics to make remembering words easy.
Whether you opt for the free version or go for premium, your session ends after five minutes; you must wait 10 hours to start another. The premium version has a few more tools but for beginners, the free version should be enough. Besides, if you're a diligent student, you may outgrow Drops rather quickly.
For best use, access Drops for a quick learning session before you select a Japanese film from your go-to streaming service. After all, study time needn't all be about books and apps. You can learn Japanese using videos and movies, too. Even better: they give you insight into Japanese culture.
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