The Japanese language is one of the hardest for English speakers. It’s vastly complex and can feel like an unscalable obstacle when you’re a beginner. There are a lot of tools out there that can help, though, and in this guide, I’ll look at some of the best ones.
What is the Best Way to Learn Japanese?
In previous guides, I’ve looked at the learning process from different perspectives, including beginners, advanced learners, and students on a budget.
Where Japanese is concerned, it requires a lot more time and effort to reach an intermediate or advanced stage, and many won’t get anywhere near that. As a result, I feel like 99% of the people reading this guide are complete beginners, and many of you might give up before the year is out.
So, let’s look at some of the best beginner methods, all of which can take you through to the intermediate stage and beyond.
Preply
A tutor is a massive step in the language learning process, and it’s especially key for languages like Japanese. They will tell you what you’re doing wrong and help with your Japanese pronunciation, but they’ll also provide a degree of accountability and motivate you when you’re struggling.
There are a lot of Japanese language teachers on Preply, and the prices vary considerably based on their experience and skill level. You can chat with experienced tutors in Japan, US, and Europe, or book lessons with native Japanese speakers who just offer some speaking practice.
Pimsleur
I have raved about Pimsleur extensively in the past, noting how effective it is for beginners. It will teach you how to speak Japanese and will ensure you’re more comfortable with the language. It’s also relatively passive, as you can listen while you work out, do some chores, or even relax in the bath.
One of the few issues I have with Pimsleur is that some of the courses have only 2 levels, making it difficult to advance beyond the most basic level. Such is the case with Greek and Norwegian (at the time of writing), both of which I have completed on Pimsleur.
However, it’s not the case with Pimsleur, which has a full 5 levels to explore.
It’s designed so that you listen to one lesson per day. Personally, I didn’t have time for this when I first used Pimsleur and was doing it every 2 to 4 days. But that was still more than enough for me. If you feel like you’re struggling with one of the lessons, or you weren’t fully paying attention, just repeat it the next day.
Duolingo
This is a contentious one. Some students love Duolingo, others hate it.
Personally, I have been in both categories. It was my main source of learning when I started and then I ignored it for a long time. These days, I see it for what it is, a valuable tool that can complement other apps/methods and encourage daily practice.
I try to do at least 5 minutes of Duolingo every day and if I’m traveling and have nothing to do, I’ll do an extended session of 20 or 30 minutes. It’s not enough to help me reach fluency, but it helps.
You’ll learn new Japanese words and phrases, but more importantly, you’ll keep the language fresh in your mind.
Learn Katakana, Kanji, and Hiragana
Japanese doesn’t have a traditional alphabet. Instead, it has three writing systems. It’s confusing for beginners, but it’s important to understand the differences and recognise them.
Katakana and hiragana are relatively easy to learn. They are both used to write the same sounds, but hiragana characters are used to write Japanese words while katakana characters are used for foreign words.
There are about 6,000 kanji characters, but 1,000 should be enough to get you through. Leave this one for last. If you can afford it, get a tutor to help you.
Join a Group
I have always learned languages alone, mainly because I’m anti-social and don’t really like people.
At least I’m honest about it.
But when it comes to languages like Japanese, it helps to study with others. Just like the tutor, they will provide you with some moral support while also helping you get over the humps.
It means you can practice speaking Japanese with people who are in the same boat as you.
How Long Does it Take to Learn Japanese?
According to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI), it takes about 88 weeks of full-time study to learn Japanese, making it one of the hardest languages for English speakers.
Incidentally, that’s where our name comes from, as based on the FSI’s research, 88 weeks is enough for an English speaker to attain fluency in any language (and if you choose easier languages like Norwegian and Spanish, you could learn several in that time).
But that doesn’t mean you can start today and be reading and speaking fluent Japanese in under 2 years.
Those figures are based on full-time study and complete immersion. They are also based on classroom teachings from some of the best teachers around. If you’re hoping to achieve similar results, you’ll need several hours of direct tuition, several hours of homework, and additional immersion (reading, watching films) every day.
If not, it will likely take you a lot longer.
The issue with Japanese and other difficult languages is that it’s very easy to lose heart and give up. If you learn Norwegian, you can probably start speaking and reading after just 10 hours or so. You’ll learn quickly and will feel like you’re making real progress. If you learn Japanese, you could hit 100 hours and still feel like you don’t know anything.
It requires a lot more work and commitment, as well as the dedication to continue even when it feels like you’re facing an impossible task.
So, to answer the question posed above…it depends. It could be a couple of years (unlikely) or it could be 20 years. In my opinion, it’s best to stop worrying about how much you’re progressing and when you’ll attain fluency, and start thinking about persistent daily study, as quitting is easy and you can become your own worst enemy.
FAQs
Is it difficult to learn Japanese?
As noted above, it is very difficult to learn Japanese. It can help if you have some prior experience with Eastern languages and have a really good visual memory, but really, it all comes down to motivation, hard work, and persistence.
How soon before I can speak Japanese?
You can start speaking some of the basics within a few weeks, but it may take a few months before you can stutter through a conversation. If you’re hoping to have a fluent conversation with a native speaker, you may need to wait a little longer and work a lot harder.
Is learning Japanese easier with friends?
Yes, definitely. If you have some Japanese friends who are willing to chat with you, it’ll be a massive help. They can teach you about Japanese culture, help you with new words, and ensure you’re comfortable talking to others.
Learning Japanese with other students also helps. Check social media groups and local classes and communities to find Japanese speakers.
Is Japanese grammar difficult?
It’s not the same as English, and that has led some to claim that it’s difficult. But different doesn’t always mean difficult, and it’s far from the most complicated grammar you will encounter.
There are many complicated parts of the language to worry about, but grammar probably isn’t one of them.