Living and working in Japan is an experience which will yield a lifetime’s worth of meaningful experiences. Even if just for the typical one year stint, life in Japan has a way of reshaping people’s goals and perspectives. To make the best of this unique situation however, learning Japanese needs to be a central component of the acculturation process.
The Purpose of Learning Japanese
When it comes to learning any language, the best place to start is by completing a needs assessment. Motivation, desired outcomes, and personal intentions for learning the language, all play a significant role in how quickly a person can pick it up. So the first step in learning Japanese is to sit down and write out all the reasons for acquiring this new skill.
Memorizing Japanese Words
The next step in learning Japanese, is constant memorization of basic vocabulary. Learning common nouns and simple verbs is an excellent way to get started. Focus on items and words that are used in everyday English vocabulary, this will aid in the memorization process as they are encountered on a regular basis. Labeling items around the office and home is a great strategy to learning these root vocabulary words!
Important Japanese Phrases
Because each traveler has his own unique necessities in life, the next step in successfully using Japanese is by learning how to express needs. Using the recently memorized vocabulary, learning how to add phrases such as, “I need”, “I don’t like”, or “I want” may become valuable tools until a better grasp of the language is acquired. Also, knowing a few pronouns may help when asking for location specifics.
Japanese Sentence Structure
Adding syntax to the memorized words and phrases is the next critical step in learning Japanese. Because the wording order is different from English, many travelers may find it difficult to communicate without putting things in the right sequence. At this point, the best method of learning is to either attend a language course or crack open a grammar book. While not many people enjoy studying grammar, this fourth step is absolutely paramount to becoming a somewhat decent Japanese speaker.
Practicing Japanese
The last step in the successful acquisition of Japanese is plain and simple practice. If already living abroad, the best way to practice is to stay away from befriending other English speaking foreigners. Going out with Japanese co-workers, making Japanese friends, or simply socializing in public places, are the best methods of practicing a new language.
Immersion has already been proven to be the best approach towards learning a new language, but it requires a lot of effort on the part of the traveler to be a successful speaker. By assessing the needs and intentions of learning the language, dedicating the time to memorize important words and grammar rules, and making an effort to connect socially, Japanese can be mastered by anyone!
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