I'm wanting to learn how to speak Japanese.

So, I really would love to speak Japanese. I am just wondering what would be the easiest way. I saw some self teaching books at my library once, but never got around to checking them out. I would like to just start with the language first, then get into the writing part. So if anyone could give me some ideas like books or websites or anything that would be awesome.

Oh, and I don't want to have to buy anything.

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6 replies since 18th October 2011 • Last reply 18th October 2011

Reply #1:

check to see if any local colleges or unis have classes. perhaps you could attend or even buy the class book. i took intro 1 in college and the book was great for having a bit of everything (w/ a cd, methinks) from words, letters and random japanese facts.

just so you know, i found it hard. i didn't go in to intro 2 because i just couldn't grasp the sentence structure. very different from english and french! that, and having 3 different ways to right stuff (which may be the least of your worries) is... interesting

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Reply #2:

oh I want to learn Japaneese , language first, and I am so hoping people have good sugestions for you!!

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Reply #3:

My mother bought me a really cute little Japanese phrase book in great condition from a secondhand book shop for next to nothing. It's been helping me a great deal, but I already know some really basic stuff from watching anime and I used to take Japanese classes after school when I still lived in England so I still remember a few sentences and words from there.

I'd suggest you get a Japanese phrase book or one of those courses. I can't work with the listening courses though, they make me so confused, lol. I prefer the phrase books.

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Reply #4:

Livemocha.com is the shit! Of course, the best way to learn is with college courses with an instructor, or with a native speaker. If you don't intend to go that route, I suggest Live Mocha. It has been compared to Rosetta Stone, with it's technique of displaying images, while hearing the word..but it is free. Japanese is not an easy language to learn. You have to be dedicated and diligent. Be willing to completely immerse yourself in the language, and devote at the very least 30 minutes a day to practicing. There are a huge amount of videos on youtube..Teaching videos and Japanese vloggers. Listen to Japanese podcasts. Say what you have learned...out loud..on a daily basis. Pretend to talk on the phone, if it makes you feel silly. Dedication is key. You can not watch anime everyday and learn how to speak Japanese. Once you get into it, you might realize that you like it, and would like to sign up for a college course. Live Mocha is a good place to start, if you are looking for something free.

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Reply #5:

If you have an android phone, there's a few good Japanese study apps that have helped me. Human Japanese is great, and very detailed, and Survive! Japanese is a game app, and it's handy to have around as well.

Most systems will start you on hiragana and katakana right away though. It's easier than getting too accustomed to romaji, and then having to switch over later.

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Reply #6:

Now this is a little naughty what i'm going to suggest... :/ We downloaded a rosetta stone learning program for our pc from the piratebay. I can totally recommend Rosetta Stone (it doesn't actually give you the translations, it shows you pictures and scenarios. A lot easier than trying to remember words from a boook) but the price was WAY over what i'd be willing to spend on something like that (like £150 for level 1!) And i just lookedand they do it in japanese.

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