| Over the sixty-five years since World War II, the | | | | How does this work? Small children will first learn how |
| change in the Western world's perceptions of Japan. | | | | their home tongue sounds like when their parents |
| We went from being at war with Japan to being in | | | | speak to them. They learn through careful listening. |
| love with it. Japanese cars, animation, movies, food - | | | | As this takes place, the children are picking up |
| all these things have engendered a fascination with | | | | vocabulary words they'll be able to use themselves |
| not just the little island country, but also its language. | | | | as they learn to talk. Have you ever noticed that if |
| If you're eager to find out how to learn Japanese, | | | | you ask a toddler to "bring me the ball," he will |
| this article is for you. | | | | comply long before he's able to form the words |
| The first thing you need to do before you start | | | | himself? He's acquired a passive vocabulary, but not |
| learning Japanese or any other language, is to | | | | yet an active one. You'll find, as you find out how to |
| determine the reason why you need to learn the | | | | learn Japanese, that you'll follow the same |
| language. While your motive may not be so important | | | | progression recognizing words first, then |
| in beginning the study of other languages, it's a critical | | | | understanding them, and finally being able to use |
| factor in determining how to learn it. Why? Well, if | | | | them correctly. |
| you're just going over to Japan for a very short time | | | | What about writing? You may ask. How will I ever |
| and will be spending most of your time with people | | | | learn to write Japanese if I can't even read those |
| who know English, all you probably need is a brief | | | | strange looking symbols? Well, it's up to you to |
| introductory course that teaches you a few essential | | | | decide whether you need to learn them or not. If |
| phrases like hello, excuse me, I'm sorry, and the like. | | | | you are just planning to visit Japan for a short |
| However if you need to speak and understand | | | | holiday, then you possibly may not need to learn to |
| conversational Japanese from basic to intermediate | | | | read Japanese to begin with. However if you want to |
| level, then you need to learn more than just a few | | | | become fluent in Japanese then it is a good idea to |
| basic phrases. | | | | learn to read the language as well. If you decide that |
| If you fit into that category, you may want to try | | | | for you, reading is an essential step in how to learn |
| either a formal Japanese course at a school, college, | | | | Japanese, study the kanas, hiragana and katakana, |
| or university. You may also find it more cost | | | | two basic components of the very complex writing |
| effective and easier to learn Japanese with | | | | system. And make flash cards! |
| audio-based language learning programs, software | | | | Speaking the language is its most important aspect, |
| games or watching Japanese movies. Regardless of | | | | and not reading and writing as most people would like |
| your choice of how to learn the language, make sure | | | | us to believe. You will have a huge advantage over |
| you select an audio-based method. You need to hear | | | | other people traveling to Japan who do not speak |
| the language spoken by a native speaker. Books | | | | the language, if you can manage to learn |
| alone will not do. A good Japanese audio-based | | | | conversational Japanese even if it is just at a |
| program is an example of an extremely natural | | | | beginner level. So regardless of your decision on how |
| learning method. It attempts to replicate the way | | | | to learn Japanese, concentrate on learning to speak it |
| children actually learn their language in the first place. | | | | well, and enjoy your immersion in another culture! |