| Japanese is a language spoken by more than | | | | not only will be able to communicate with |
| 120 million people worldwide in countries | | | | your Japanese business associates, but you |
| including Japan, Brazil, Guam, Taiwan, and on | | | | will also be able to better represent your |
| the American island of Hawaii. Japanese is a | | | | organization in your business travels there. |
| language comprised of characters completely | | | | |
| different from the western alphabet that | | | | If you want to learn Japanese in order to |
| makes up such languages as English, French, | | | | vacation on the island, and if you have the |
| Italian, and German. If you are required to | | | | time and the financial resources, you might |
| learn Japanese for business reasons, or if | | | | opt to learn the Japanese language through an |
| you are planning a vacation to the Asian | | | | immersion program where you travel to Japan. |
| island, it might seem intimidating to learn a | | | | This way, you will not only learn the |
| language so different for your own. | | | | Japanese language, but you will also |
| | | | experience the fascinating Japanese culture. |
| If you are required to learn the Japanese | | | | Learning Japanese where the language has its |
| language for your job, consider jumping into | | | | origins, you will plunge yourself into the |
| an immersion program. There are immersion | | | | life and culture, and you will learn the |
| programs that are available for enrollment | | | | language quickly. You will learn the |
| that do not require you to travel to Japan, | | | | conversational and colloquial styles of the |
| but are held in the United States. Master | | | | language. You will interact on a daily basis |
| instructors who are native Japanese speakers | | | | with indigenous Japanese people, who probably |
| will provide a short and highly intensive | | | | won't be willing or able to communicate with |
| program in which you will live and breathe | | | | you in English. You will be immersed into the |
| Japanese. Do not be intimidated. Immersion | | | | everyday life of the island nation. You will |
| programs are known to be highly effective in | | | | grow to understand and appreciate the |
| very short periods of time. You might | | | | Japanese culture, including the history, the |
| surprise yourself with how much you learn in | | | | art, the architecture, the food, and the |
| such a short period of time. Not only will | | | | people. You will attend courses in which you |
| you come away with a firm grasp of | | | | will learn the alphabet, how to write it and |
| conversational Japanese, but you will also | | | | read it. Learning the Japanese language |
| understand the alphabet, and gain a little | | | | through immersion is a fun and ideal way to |
| insight into Japanese culture. At the end of | | | | go. |
| your course, you might be tested on your | | | | |
| newly acquired knowledge. The Japanese | | | | Whether you want to learn the Japanese |
| government provides standardized tests that | | | | language for pleasure, or you are inclined to |
| measure written and conversational | | | | do so for work, learning to speak, read, and |
| understanding, the most common known as the | | | | write Japanese gives you the potential to |
| Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). | | | | further develop you career by working abroad |
| There is also a test available that measures | | | | and make a good impression with overseas |
| comprehension of the language in business | | | | associates. Learning Japanese will also |
| situations. It is known as the Business | | | | enhance your travels in that you will be able |
| Japanese Proficiency Test (BJPT). | | | | to appreciate the lives and culture of the |
| | | | Japanese people. Learning the Japanese |
| Learning the Japanese language will certainly | | | | language is an intellectually and personally |
| help to enhance your career. If your | | | | enriching pursuit that will provide you with |
| organization has offices in Japan, or you do | | | | career opportunities as well as an awareness |
| business with other Japanese firms, you will | | | | of a culture other than your own. |