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This article is contributed by Japademy

 

Learning the Japanese language is both a rewarding challenge and a gateway to deeper cultural understanding. However, mastering the language can seem daunting at first, particularly when you have to navigate three distinct writing systems (Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji) in addition to grammatical rules that are very dissimilar from those of English or other Western languages. But don’t let that scare you! Native Japanese tutors are here to guide you on your journey to fluency. 

In this article, we will share proven and tested tips from Japademy’s native Japanese tutors that will get you started on the road to mastering Japanese while also making the process more enjoyable and manageable. These tips will enable you to overcome challenges and discover the secrets of fluency, regardless of your level of experience. So, let’s now discuss these tips!

7 tips from native Japanese tutors in mastering Japanese

Focus on Hiragana and Katakana first

Native Japanese tutors say that it is important to learn Hiragana and Katakana, the two basic phonetic scripts of the Japanese writing system, before delving into Kanji. These are essential for reading and writing, and they provide a strong base to help you understand how Japanese words are formed and pronounced.

Tip: Start by writing each character by hand to help strengthen your memorizing skills. You can test your memory of hiragana and katakana using flashcards or mobile applications like Memrise or Duolingo. To help you remember these characters better, try spending 10 minutes a day writing each character down, followed by 5 minutes of reading simple words fully written in Hiragana and Katakana. After just 5 to 7 days, you will notice that you have fully memorized all the characters.

Practice speaking, not just reading

Yes, Japanese textbooks are helpful when it comes to learning Japanese. However, native Japanese tutors emphasize that real-life communication is key to mastering Japanese. Focus on speaking Japanese as early as possible, even if you’re still learning basic grammar and vocabulary. Take note that your goal here should be to develop confidence and fluency when speaking with Japanese speakers.

Tip: If you’re shy when speaking with other people, you can try speaking to yourself in Japanese. You can train your brain to think in Japanese by talking outloud about very basic sentences such as “today I went to work” to much more advanced ones as your vocabulary and grammar understanding improves.

Make mistakes and learn from them

Making mistakes is one of the most common worries among language learners, but as Japanese tutors we always stress that making mistakes is not only inevitable but also necessary for improvement. You will undoubtedly make grammatical errors, mispronounce words, and even confuse words when learning Japanese. But every error you make is a teaching moment that will make you a better player. It's crucial to recognize that mistakes are inevitable, even for fluent speakers. The most important thing is to keep going forward and learn from these mistakes.

Tip: Never be afraid to speak with Japanese speakers even if you're not sure about your vocabulary or grammar. Just talk to native speakers or other students, and when you make mistakes, ask for feedback. You can keep a notebook to record the errors you make frequently and research ways to fix them. Making a recording of your speech and playing it back can also be useful for pinpointing areas for improvement, including sentence structure or pronunciation. Remember that every error is a step toward fluency, so rather than viewing them as failures, view them as opportunities for improvement.

Be consistent with daily practice

When learning Japanese, consistency is essential. Native Japanese tutors agree that studying a little bit each day is significantly more productive than cramming once a week. The process of learning a language is gradual, and in order to build and retain knowledge, continuous reinforcement is needed. Even just 15 to 20 minutes a day of concentrated study will help you form healthy habits, improve your memory, and avoid burnout from over-studying. Over time, tiny, persistent efforts add up to produce noticeable progress.

Tip: Make sure to follow a daily study routine that fits into your schedule. For example, you could use flashcards to review vocabulary in the mornings, listen to Japanese podcasts to pass the afternoon, or do Japanese character writing practice in the evening. To make things interesting and dynamic, switch up your exercises from day to day. One day, concentrate on grammar, and another, on speaking or listening or vocabulary acquisition. You can also stay on track by setting particular goals, like learning five new words a day or having a 10-minute discussion. 

Engage with native speakers

One of the best ways to get better at Japanese is to interact with native speakers and native Japanese tutors highly advise prioritizing this. Speaking with native speakers gives you a priceless introduction to idioms, slang, and real speech that aren't typically included in textbooks. Speaking with natives also helps you learn about Japanese customs, humor, and culture, which makes you a more proficient and well-rounded communicator. By practicing with native speakers, you can learn how to modify your speech in a variety of social contexts, from informal conversations with friends to more formal business meetings.

Tip: Participate in online or in-person language exchange programs to speak with native Japanese speakers regularly. Japanese speakers from all around the world can be connected with language learners through Japanese learning websites like Japademy and platforms like HelloTalk. If possible, visit Japan or take part in local Japanese cultural events, conversation groups, or activities to further immerse yourself. Don't limit yourself to formal, textbook language when conversing; ask your partner to introduce you to expressions that are frequently used in ordinary speech as well as colloquial phrases and regional accents. Your Japanese will sound more natural the more you converse with native speakers, and you'll have the confidence to carry on a conversation in any setting.

Understand the cultural context

As you can notice, the Japanese language is deeply connected to Japanese culture, especially when it comes to politeness and manners. According to our native Japanese tutors, in order for learners to use Japanese correctly, it is important to understand the social and cultural aspects of the language. For example, Keigo, the name given to the honorific or polite use of the Japanese language, where the degree of formality varies according to the person you are speaking to, is critical especially in job-related and academic situations.

Tip: Observe how language varies based on the situation and the relationships of the individuals involved. Regarding knowing the difference between formal and informal speech, Japanese Anime is a great resource for listening to the use of informal speech. Moreover, pay attention to the tone and vocabulary of the characters' speech to various social classes, such as instructors, supervisors, seniors, or friends. Lastly, learn particular words and phrases that are used in professional or courteous interactions as well, since they are often useful in everyday situations.

Immerse yourself in Japanese media

According to native Japanese tutors, immersion is one of the best methods for learning any language, including Japanese. By immersing yourself in Japanese media, such as anime, movies, TV dramas, podcasts, and music, you can learn common speech patterns, slang terms, and cultural references that are not discussed in textbooks. Even if you don't understand much at first, the sounds, rhythms, and flow of the language are being processed by your brain and this will gradually improve your comprehension and fluency. You pick up the language more naturally as a result of this exposure, much like native speakers do from an early age.

Tip: Selecting content that is relevant to your interests will keep you interested and motivated. For beginners, you can try viewing Japanese television programs with subtitles so you can follow along and listen to native speakers. The more you interact with Japanese, the more natural it will feel, and you'll soon be able to recognize words and phrases without hesitation.

Final Thoughts 

For people interested in learning language, it is common to wonder how long it takes to learn Japanese but regardless of that, learning Japanese can be really rewarding. You'll discover that you're learning the language more quickly if you apply these tips from our native Japanese speakers to your study routine. Always remember, the key is to stay consistent, engage with the culture, and most importantly—enjoy the journey!.

Where To Find The Best Native Japanese Tutors Online?

If you’re looking for the best Japanese tutors online to guide you on your language-learning journey, check out Japademy. What sets our Japanese tutors apart from others is that we are all native Japanese speakers with extensive experience teaching the language to foreign learners. To help you master the Japanese language, through our online lessons we give you tasks, examples, and clear explanations about how to use the language - from grammar, to vocabulary, to pronunciation, to cultural understanding, we are here to guide you to fluency.