English speakers are notoriously lazy about learning another language but that tide is changing. Today, thanks to the technologies that give us global connectivity, we can reach around the world to make friends and pursue learning adventures.
Aussies make use of them to reach a few thousand miles due north to discover Japan's wonders.
When people take an interest in a different land, culture and people, they typically want to learn all they can. That includes learning the language. Some such learners satisfy themselves with conversational Japanese; just enough to help make their trip to the Land of the Rising Sun a success.
Most others go all out to learn Japanese grammar and vocabulary and the three-pronged writing system. They seek out native Japanese conversation partners to hone their pronunciation skills.
These learners have many great ways to learn Japanese, nearly all of which include Japanese resources online. Some go so far as to rely solely on offerings online, bypassing language lessons in the traditional classroom setting. They have good reasons for choosing this learning method. We'll talk about them throughout this article as we go over the best way to learn Japanese online.
Learn Japanese Online: What to Know
As mentioned in this article's introduction, many self-motivated learners choose to learn Japanese online. For some, it suits their learning style; for others, it's a way around time and/or budget constraints. Many say they'd rather learn 'real' Japanese from the get-go rather than start with Nihongo, the form of Japanese that beginner Japanese textbooks present.
Even before you start your Japanese learning adventure, you must know that the Japanese writing system is unique. Beginner Japanese learners will use romaji to start; that's Japanese words written in the alphabet English speakers are familiar with. You won't learn whole words; this writing system helps you master syllabic sounds.
Authentic Japanese writing comprises kana and kanji. Kana has two syllabaries; hiragana and katakana. Japanese kanji are based on borrowed Chinese characters. Every Japanese course online will teach you these writing systems as you learn how to read and write in Japanese.
To start your learning adventure, you need a few resources. You should have the standard materials like notebooks and writing instruments. You might consider registering with a free mind-mapping site to track your learning and you should access other digital resources (more on them in a moment).
You also need a way to guide your learning. For this, you have many choices. You might choose a platform that charges a fee for its usage or free resources to structure your learning. Free resources should be enough to start but you'll need more complete systems later on.
You will also need a way to practise your Japanese speaking skills. For that aspect of language learning, nothing but a bilingual or native Japanese speaker will do. You'll find many language exchange platforms online, including Hello Talk and Italki. You may also consider a few sessions with an Australia-based Japanese tutor.
These decisions depend on what you plan to do with your Japanese language skills. For instance, if you're learning to satisfy a personal passion for Japanese culture, you can rely on less formal learning materials. On the other hand, if you plan to sit the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT), you should search for 'official' resources.
Learn Japanese Online Australia
As noted above, your Japanese learning plan will need structure. Learning the Japanese writing system is the best place to start. Once you've mastered the system of kana and kanji, start building your Japanese vocabulary. Once you've built up a lexicon of Japanese words, start stringing them into phrases.
At this point, you should expand your resources. You might download a few apps for learning Japanese and start reading manga in its original language. You should watch anime with the Japanese-language track on, too. Find a few podcasts in Japanese and speak with native Japanese speakers.
As you progress with your lessons, you should use less English and more Japanese. If learning this language on your own seems complicated at first, even free Japanese lessons online will give you a solid foundation in the Japanese language.
Now that we have a study plan, let's discover the resources to learn Japanese online.
Best Way to Learn Japanese Online with Free Resources
As you might guess, many outlets offer free Japanese instruction. You might start your learning journey on YouTube, going through every video JapanesePod101 has to offer. If you do, you should bookmark that channel's website as well; it bears the same name and has printable materials to accompany its videos.
Today, the best English-Japanese translation tools are much more than word-for-word language converters. You can use them to practise writing kanji and understand how to use Japanese words and phrases properly. These apps have room for you to store notes and build study files, too.
Flashcard websites like Anki and Quizlet offer extensive study sets for you to practise Japanese vocabulary and grammar. Both platforms allow learners to access already-existing decks and to create their own study sets.
You may also build lessons in Quizlet's 'learn' mode, take exams and play games with the Japanese words you know.
We'll call all of these periphery resources. Your main learning material should come from a structured learning platform. These three, compiled by native Japanese speakers, offer the most complete curriculum.
Japanese-Lesson
On the Japanese-Lesson website, you can access online learning materials written by Japanese teachers. This no-frills webpage is packed with all the information beginner Japanese students need. You may choose one of two learning paths: Character courses or Conversational courses. Per our recommendation above, start with learning the Japanese writing system; this is crucial to successful Japanese learning.
When you learn a language, it is important to also learn a little bit about the culture the language represents. On this site you will encounter advice for travellers, life tips, a brief history of Japan, and a bit on customs like the "matsuri"--traditional folk festivals. You can find these and other offerings under their page's 'resources' tab.
Find tutors who can help you learn Japanese Melbourne here on Superprof.
Easyjapanese
The Easyjapanese site offers online courses in PDF format, which can be useful if you are travelling to Japan and want to study on your way to Tokyo. At first glance, it seems to be targeted at younger learners but don't let the cartoon images fool you. This site is packed with study materials for learners of all ages.
This site fosters a collaborative environment. All users may enrich the English-Japanese dictionary. If you want to share any knowledge about a life or language learning experience, you can do it through the forum. The site delves deep into Japanese grammar, which is totally different from English grammar.
Tofugu
The Tofugu site helps you learn the Japanese alphabet and so much more. Across the top of their page, you'll find tabs for grammar and other resources, as well as a blog page organised by topic - travel, interviews and general information about Japan. Tofugu even hosts a podcast, with every episode listed on their webpage for easy searching.
You will also find an "art and history" tab to learn more about Japanese culture. Did you know, for example, that a geisha is a refined lady and that the art of being one is an ancestral art?
Unfortunately, their page doesn't include any videos to study Japanese but they have loads of other resources to keep you busy.
Online Japanese Classes Australia: Paid Lessons
Free Japanese study materials can only take you so far. To go further in your Japanese language learning, you'll have to look for paid language courses. Japanese lessons via webcam are all the rage across Australia. The question is, who do these language learners give their money to?
Names like Busuu, Memrise and Babbel often crop up. They all emphasise spaced repetition as their preferred learning method. These platforms offer free access to a limited range of study materials but if you want full support and loads of practice using your Japanese language skills, you have to pay up.
Other language learners turn to commercial online-only schools like Language Learners and Language Trainers. These ventures come closer to traditional lessons online, in that you'll meet with your language teacher to receive instruction rather than learning on your own.
Learning Japanese Online with Superprof
As long as you're paying for Japanese lessons online, why not choose your instructor? The Superprof model promotes learners' choice: you choose the teacher that best suits your needs, preferences and budget. Superprof has thousands of Japanese teachers available across Australia for lessons in person or online.
With Superprof, you're not limited to Japanese tutors in Australia. You may contact native-speaking tutors in Japan, especially if you're an advanced Japanese speaker preparing for your language exam. They would recommend the best books to study Japanese and help you understand Japanese culture.
You'll get loads of speaking practice to prepare well for the exam's oral component, too.
Find amazing Japanese classes Sydney here on Superprof.
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