Practicing spoken japanese

[Kebe]

Hi all, I'm teaching myself japanese and just purchase the Genki book series. (Waiting on its arrival) Does anyone know of any online sites to pratice speaking japanese such as tutors or anything similar to it. Since I live in an area where I don't have anyone but myself to pratice with I would really appreciate any type of info.

 

[Supervin]

I guess the only way to practise is to find a Japanese speaker or live in Japan as you need another person to do so.

In the meantime, you could try roleplaying alone or something like that.

 

[yukio_michael]

Practicing with ANYONE is better than not practicing at all... You have to practice saying the words, regardless... so don't give up, even if you can't find a native speaker.

 

[Kebe]

Thanks guys. I have been doing my best alone. Learning to sing jpop is one. I can always ask my roommates to help me pratice also lol.

 

[Buntaro]

Kebe-san!

As Yukio says, you have to practice with SOMEONE. IF you do not have a Japanese speaker, find another person studying Japanese. Even if you are both beginners, you can work together to write dialogs, etc.

Is there anyone in your area who wants to study Japanese?

 

[Swordheart]

Kebe San,

Indeed, it is a complicated language to learn on your own. I suggest reading short dialogues aloud and finding a penpal who is a native speaker and would agree to write on your level of understanding (but without mistakes - if you take a beginner, you will likely just exchange and learn eachother's mistakes).
Be patient and study hard.
Ganbatte kudasai!

 

[DmJapan]

I had the same problem with you....At the end i bought a book packed with a cd that contained all the dialogues in the book....Listen and repeat aloud...Listen and repeat.....Thats how i got through it.....

 

[Kebe]

Buntaro, sadly no. My area is mostly populated with spanish speakers so most students and people I spoke with want to learn spanish. My university just only asian studies professor left so I'm pretty much left alone.
It's not that I have any problem with pronouciation. I mean that I know of. I feel that I am ok when It comes to this. For the most part, I have been doing the same as DmJapan, listening and repeating and I also try to surround my self with as much Japanese as I can, either internet radio news or music. But while I think I do sound smilar or close to my pratice recordings, I'm just not sure how I would sound to a native or someone who can pick out my mistakes. Thank again for all of your suggestions. I'll keep hunting

 

[Elizabeth]

Buntaro, sadly no. My area is mostly populated with spanish speakers so most students and people I spoke with want to learn spanish.

Mostly yes, unless you are in Hawaii that is going to be the fact practically everywhere. But I live near a city only slightly smaller than Savannah and without even making much effort was introduced to a potential tutor at a Chinese restaurant of all places (she is a part-time waitress). Try posting wanted fliers for a tutor or native student through other local universities, scout out Japanese restaurants, community language classes etc. They are definately out there in the woodwork and anyone that makes an aggressive enough effort and studies enough first to have something to say will be justly rewarded.

Sounds like you are on the right track, best continuing luck !

 

[Kebe]

Thank you Elizabeth for the suggestions. I just found out we do have a ESL program here at one of the Universities here so I'm gonna search there too. Thanks again. Good luck with you potential tutor