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[Does anyone know an easy way to learn Japanese?]


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nervheadquarters



Joined: 24 Apr 2004
Posts: 11
Location: PA
PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2004 6:05 pm Reply with quote
sorry about the title it wouldnt fit! anyways does anybody out there know a good place or product to learn japanese? Im not talking about some of those cheap ass products that tell you you can learn it in one day because i definitely know its not true.If anyone can help i will be very gratefull!

P.S.- it doesnt matter how much it costs, who im learning from (with some exception....not some dark alley person), and where im learning from.

THANKS!

[EDIT - Adjusted the subject, 'cause it's better this way. -C]
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rage-demon



Joined: 08 Oct 2003
Posts: 356
Location: WA, USA
PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2004 6:11 pm Reply with quote
A good subject might simply be "How can I learn Japanese". Or at least get rid of "Doesanyoneknow" and ask "Where is a good place to learn Japanese."
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Godaistudios



Joined: 12 Jun 2003
Posts: 2075
Location: Albuquerque, NM (the land of entrapment)
PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2004 6:32 pm Reply with quote
nervheadquarters wrote:
sorry about the title it wouldnt fit! anyways does anybody out there know a good place or product to learn japanese? Im not talking about some of those cheap ass products that tell you you can learn it in one day because i definitely know its not true.If anyone can help i will be very gratefull!

P.S.- it doesnt matter how much it costs, who im learning from (with some exception....not some dark alley person), and where im learning from.

THANKS!


Might I suggest a University? Not only might it help you reduce the amount of words you need to convey your meaning, but I'm sure it would help your grammar and punctuation skills as well.
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ricbrist



Joined: 03 Sep 2003
Posts: 54
PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2004 7:26 pm Reply with quote
if ya wanna know the easiest fastest cheapest way to learn japenese heres what ya do, get one way ticket to japan, get a english to japenese dictionary, go there with no money, find a job. in a month youll have to have learned it. best way to learn a language is to be emersed in it, so i guess the alternative would be to watch anime for months on end with no subtitles without contact with english speaking people. but thats just my opinion
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Mr Mania



Joined: 10 Feb 2003
Posts: 581
Location: UK
PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2004 7:37 pm Reply with quote
If you really want to learn Japanese sign up for a decent course in which you are taught by real teachers. You can only learn a certian amount from learning packages such as video's ect. It wont be easy and will take a lot of years,chances are you will never be really fleunt but if you apply 110% effort it's possible to succeed. Just don't expect an easy ride.
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Fandrez



Joined: 19 Apr 2004
Posts: 178
Location: Uh... can I get back to you on that?
PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2004 8:18 pm Reply with quote
ricbrist wrote:
if ya wanna know the easiest fastest cheapest way to learn japenese heres what ya do, get one way ticket to japan, get a english to japenese dictionary, go there with no money, find a job. in a month youll have to have learned it. best way to learn a language is to be emersed in it, so i guess the alternative would be to watch anime for months on end with no subtitles without contact with english speaking people. but thats just my opinion


I like your way. Anime smile hehe, but yeah, the english to japanese dictionary is a good way. Well, its only good if your really devoted to it.
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gnollman



Joined: 05 Oct 2003
Posts: 535
Location: Richmond, KY
PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2004 8:24 pm Reply with quote
There are numerous fine Japanese language schools in Japan. Just google it, and voila, they appear.....


They run the gamut from starting skilled to starting knowing nothing about the language.
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ShellBullet



Joined: 20 Mar 2003
Posts: 1051
Location: I hit things, with my fist.
PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2004 8:45 pm Reply with quote
ricbrist wrote:
if ya wanna know the easiest fastest cheapest way to learn japenese heres what ya do, get one way ticket to japan, get a english to japenese dictionary, go there with no money, find a job. in a month youll have to have learned it. best way to learn a language is to be emersed in it, so i guess the alternative would be to watch anime for months on end with no subtitles without contact with english speaking people. but thats just my opinion


Cause, ya know, Japan is so open and welcoming to foreigners. They are especially open to gaijin with no skills who want to live like bums on their streets.

For some real advice on learning Japanese, go to any bookstore and buy a home study course. Don't worry about getting the best one and don't pay too much for it. You will not be getting too much use out of it anyway. Study it the best you can, trying to learn the basics. After you feel comfortable with that find a course. Many community colleges have evening classes that are only a few hours a week. You might also check out university extensions or adult schools. A university course would be good if you have time for it, just keep in mind there are multiple options.

Check out other home study courses to supplement what you learn in class. There are lots of creative ways to learn. Try memorizing some songs in Nihongo. It helps with the pronouncitaion and is a fun way to expand your vocabulary. Now comes the fun part. Being on your way to becoming fluent, it's time to visit Japan. Traveling overseas can be an incredible experience, so you mighty as well do it sometime in your life. I don't suppose it matters too much how you get there; to teach English (probably a year-long commitment on your part), as part of a college abroad program, or even as a regular old tourist. The point is to stay as long as you can and have a great time, try to discover what Japan has to offer besides anime.

I personally can vouch for this program. Just remember two things.
1) Variety is the spice of life and successful learning requires a variety of venues. Don't expect any magic bullets to instantly make you speak like a native; such things don't exist.
2) This is a major commitment on your part. It will most definately take several years to accomplish. So if you find that you are not enjoying it or lack the will to continue then there is no reason to push yourself. Learning Japanese is a hobby, and a darn time consuming one at that. So good luck and have fun! Very Happy
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king_micah



Joined: 09 Jun 2003
Posts: 994
Location: OSU
PostPosted: Tue May 04, 2004 9:20 pm Reply with quote
Eh, the poster is a student and sounds like one still in the high school shuffle. If that is the case, you can try one of the home programs, but those don't work so well. Instead do student exchange. Talk to people at your school, particually some of the counselors and find out what is available. There are a large number of programs out there for a variaty of stay lengths. Many give training in Japanese. There are also usually scholarships available for these programs.
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ShellBullet



Joined: 20 Mar 2003
Posts: 1051
Location: I hit things, with my fist.
PostPosted: Wed May 05, 2004 12:56 am Reply with quote
king_micah wrote:
Eh, the poster is a student and sounds like one still in the high school shuffle. If that is the case, you can try one of the home programs, but those don't work so well. Instead do student exchange.


Well yeah. I assumed that if an exchange program was an option for this poster, then he wouldn't be asking us at all. If this person is still in high school, which he probably is, then the first person to talk to is the school counselor to see what opportunities exist.
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nagash



Joined: 23 Jan 2002
Posts: 280
PostPosted: Wed May 05, 2004 2:26 am Reply with quote
Another idea to try is to see if there is a Japanese college in your area.
I live near Boston, and there is a college for Japanese woman that want to learn English in the general Boston area. They offer courses on learning Japanese and hold a festival every once in a while.
I found out about them through a language institute that I was learning Japanese at. It will take time, so don't plan on learning it in a few weeks.
Even if you do learn the basics through home study or a language institute, you will still have to go to a college or university to truly master it. The institute I went to was very clear in saying that if I did make it to their highest level, I would only be equal to a level 3 class in college. In other words, I can get by on the streets and hold a simple conversation, but I couldn't negotiate a business deal, so to speak.
One thing I find easier in learning it: it's easier if you learn the alphabets before you learn the language.
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kozumi330214



Joined: 26 Apr 2004
Posts: 11
Location: Philippines
PostPosted: Wed May 05, 2004 5:01 am Reply with quote
nervheadquarters wrote:
sorry about the title it wouldnt fit! anyways does anybody out there know a good place or product to learn japanese? Im not talking about some of those cheap ass products that tell you you can learn it in one day because i definitely know its not true.If anyone can help i will be very gratefull!


I suggest you buy a Japanese - English book in any leading bookstores nationwide so that you can learn Japanese. That's what I did, but I'm just learning and I'm not that good right now, but i'm still practicing. Well, I wish that would help you out! Koun o inori masu Very Happy (means good luck!)
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Mohawk52



Joined: 16 Oct 2003
Posts: 8204
Location: England, UK
PostPosted: Wed May 05, 2004 5:59 am Reply with quote
Some prats might say "Have Japanese parents and live in Japan" but I won't say that here. Wink
Seriously, with all due respect, one can not properly learn a language without actually hearing just how the phonics should be. A book can't talk so therefore can't teach phonics without heavy detailed discription of how to make the sound of a letter, or kana, kanji, One needs to hear what is the porper way to say the language in order to speak it. If I was in high school I would definately get in touch with a councillor who would, or should, have information just how, or where, to go to get Japanese language courses. One might even get lucky to find an expat who will do tutorials in you own home, or theirs depending on how far away, or local you both are. Your local yellow pages might have a listing of those.


Last edited by Mohawk52 on Wed May 05, 2004 9:19 am; edited 1 time in total
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Mr Mania



Joined: 10 Feb 2003
Posts: 581
Location: UK
PostPosted: Wed May 05, 2004 6:13 am Reply with quote
Does anyone know an EASY way to learn japanese?

There isn't one. There is no EASY way to learn any language let alone one as difficult as Japanese.
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the_soultaker



Joined: 25 Mar 2004
Posts: 685
PostPosted: Wed May 05, 2004 7:15 am Reply with quote
try buying computer language software I.e. "Japanese for dummies". I'm sure there's stuff out there that can help teach you the language on some degree, the Kanji characters might be a bit difficult to master however.
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