I want to start learning Japanese, any advice?

[CodeTarek]

I love the Japanese language and wish I can understand Anime without subtitles. I've been watching subbed Anime for about 3-4 years and I can understand only basic Japanese.

I don't know where to begin with learning Japanese, I've searched around the net but the websites I went on were full of adverts, trial payments etc.

Can anyone advise me on which websites to use / which books to buy to start learning Japanese? Thanks : )

 

[Lledargo]

Here is a great text book thread
Your Japanese study books. | Japan Forum

I would also recommend memorizing the Kana (Hiragana & katakana)

Good luck ^^

 

[CodeTarek]

Here is a great text book thread
Not enough posts to add urls
I would also recommend memorizing the Kanas (Hiragana & katakana)
Good luck ^^

Thanks! I will

 

[Jericho Desu]

I think this thread will help you out in terms of online material. My advice is to start off slow, learn Hiragana then Katakana, learn the pronunciation well, some simple phrases, words etc. If you can continue that for at least 3 months, then maybe you should consider getting into the serious stuff like textbooks/classes.
Japanese is not for everyone, even if you love anime to death the same would not likely be true for the language and getting to a level where you can understand anime without subtitles will take a very long time. Its hard, it takes work and it takes dedication, keep those in mind.

 

[CodeTarek]

I think this thread will help you out in terms of online material. My advice is to start off slow, learn Hiragana then Katakana, learn the pronunciation well, some simple phrases, words etc. If you can continue that for at least 3 months, then maybe you should consider getting into the serious stuff like textbooks/classes.
Japanese is not for everyone, even if you love anime to death the same would not likely be true for the language and getting to a level where you can understand anime without subtitles will take a very long time. Its hard, it takes work and it takes dedication, keep those in mind.

Oh, I understand. I do feel very motivated to learn Japanese, I will take your advice and start off slow and see how it goes.

Thanks for your time and advice <3

Edit1:

Almost done with Hiragana : ) Been at it for 3 hours writing the letters down and practising pronunciations, time for bed haha, it's really interesting and I definitely think I'll go all the way!

 

[eeky]

I've been self-studying for about six months I think (can't remember exactly!), though I'm concentrating almost entirely on written Japanese. My experience was that I was very enthusiastic at first, and was excited when I had learned all the hiragana and katakana and a few simple kanji and could read a few words and some very simple sentences. Then I had a dip when I realised the huge uphill climb ahead to reach any standard of proficiency. Having got over that dip I regained my enthusiasm, and now I plug away at it with what time I have, happily resigned to the fact that it will take years and years before I am anywhere near proficient at reading Japanese. So, I think the main thing, if you have the same path as me, is not to get too disheartened when the first excitement wears off.

 

[Mike Cash]

When I started learning Japanese my goal was "reasonable proficiency in 10 years".

 

[CodeTarek]

I've been self-studying for about six months I think (can't remember exactly!), though I'm concentrating almost entirely on written Japanese. My experience was that I was very enthusiastic at first, and was excited when I had learned all the hiragana and katakana and a few simple kanji and could read a few words and some very simple sentences. Then I had a dip when I realised the huge uphill climb ahead to reach any standard of proficiency. Having got over that dip I regained my enthusiasm, and now I plug away at it with what time I have, happily resigned to the fact that it will take years and years before I am anywhere near proficient at reading Japanese. So, I think the main thing, if you have the same path as me, is not to get too disheartened when the first excitement wears off.

I'm learning Katakana now, still got that first excitement, but I like to finish my goals so I'll try and not get disheartened like you said : )

When I started learning Japanese my goal was "reasonable proficiency in 10 years".

10 years xD I'm hoping 4 years for decent understanding : P

 

[Lledargo]

There is a website called Lang8.com
I would highly recommend checking it out, as you can speak to japanese learning your native language. It will help you stay interested in learning.

 

[CodeTarek]

There is a website called Lang8.com
I would highly recommend checking it out, as you can speak to japanese learning your native language. It will help you stay interested in learning.

oh wow that does sound interesting, gonna check it out ty!

 

[Mike92101]

When I started learning Japanese my goal was "reasonable proficiency in 10 years".

Please elaborate on how long it took you to gain reasonable proficiency, etc.?

 

[Mike Cash]

Please elaborate on how long it took you to gain reasonable proficiency, etc.?

I started learning when I was 19 and at 25 I started working in a 100% Japanese-only work environment. Probably about six to eight years.

I would advise against trying to extrapolate anything from that, though.

 

[Chidoriashi]

I'm learning Katakana now, still got that first excitement, but I like to finish my goals so I'll try and not get disheartened like you said : )



10 years xD I'm hoping 4 years for decent understanding : P

The rate at which people can learn languages differs according to their motivation, talent and effort, but I would say you need to be nothing short of a genius to be considered fully proficient (meaning like a native speaker or as close as one could get) in Japanese in less than 3 years.

 

[Mike92101]

I started learning when I was 19 and at 25 I started working in a 100% Japanese-only work environment. Probably about six to eight years.
I would advise against trying to extrapolate anything from that, though.

That is reasonable, your advice against extrapolating anything from it. You started at a vastly earlier age than I (about 30 years younger). Also, I'd think that the younger the mind, in general, the more quickly a foreign language is learned. Generally speaking.

Out of sheer, wild coincidence I was shopping in a local chain bookstore not two or three hours ago, and in their next-to-useless Japanese Language selection, which hasn't changed noticeably since I got my first haul of Japanese language books there in June 2007, I bought Jane Ashby's "Read Real Japanese." In no way do I mean to dispute your explanation, but in her Introduction to the book, she quoted her college Japanese professor as saying that Japanese took seven years to learn. In my world, that is a big coincidence, because I just got into this thread yesterday, and I picked up the book with that apropos quote today, the very next day. Maybe I'm sensationalizing the coincidence.

At any rate, I like the professor's number. I'll probably never be proficient in spoken Japanese, but I think if I continue at my current pace, seven years to attain reading proficiency (my goal), will be attainable.

Thanks for your thoughts about this topic.