Introduction:

If you have decided to learn Japanese on your own and are wondering whether it is possible, then yes, it is possible. It is essential to understand where to begin and find the right resources to keep you going. Don’t worry if you are just a beginner learning to say ‘hello’ in Japanese, you can still do it. To be able to master any skill on your own may not be a cakewalk but definitely gives you immense pleasure as you progress.

• Start with the basics

The process of learning a language involves reading, writing, speaking along with understanding grammar. As we started in school, understanding the alphabet is the first step towards learning Japanese. To begin with, Japanese has three alphabets hiragana, katakana, and kanji.

For a basic understanding, Hiragana is the alphabet that is used for native Japanese words and also the first step towards learning even in a traditional setup. Katakana is the second kind of alphabet that sounds similar to Hiragana but is essential because this is used for loan words or foreign words adopted from other languages into Japanese. Kanji originally comes from Chinese and is used to represent a concept.  

• Listen and speak 

Listening attentively is very important to be able to master the pronunciation. At the same time, speaking what you have learned through listening helps you practice regularly. There are many audio and video lessons available online that can help you practice your conversation skills. Watching movies and listening to Japanese audio can be of great help in getting accustomed to the language and understanding how different words are used in different contexts.

• Reading and writing

 Depending on your reason to learn Japanese you can choose the level of reading or writing that you would like to master. Starting with a beginner’s book to learn the alphabet, words, and then some basic grammar is a good order to follow.  

• Apps

 There are some very good apps available to learn Japanese. These apps can be really helpful in learning the alphabet and mastering key vocabulary essential for some basic conversation in Japanese.

• Online Classes 

Finding a tutor online these days is easy. The best part about an online class is that you get to learn from the comfort of your own space, at your own pace and interact face to face with a tutor.

• Do not be in a hurry

 Whether it is a new skill or new construction, the initial progress seems to be very slow. Don’t lose heart, as this is the step where you are building a strong foundation for the future. It takes a longer time to understand and master the basics whereas building on what you already know is much easier.  Take your time to understand things and practice them consistently.

• Do not wait for the perfect time and opportunity 

You can probably pick something from children here. They learn the sounds, try to say one or two words, and then move on to making sentences. Same thing with adults when learning a new language. You can probably start with some very commonly used words and phrases and slowly work up towards holding an entire conversation. But for you to be able to do that, you need to start today. So, do not wait to perfectly master the pronunciation or understand everything. Just start and you will learn at a faster speed.

• Be consistent

 This is a very important step to learn Japanese on your own. Consistent practice is what takes you towards your success in becoming fluent in Japanese.

There may not be one single proper way to learn Japanese, but find a strong reason that keeps you motivated to learn the language on your own and practice consistently.