Learning Japanese: 5 Tips for Choosing the Best Japanese Learning Software

There are lots of Japanese language learning programs on the market. Some are better than others, and some are good for certain types of people but not so good for other types of people. This article will give you 5 tips in regards to how to choose the program that is best for you personally.

1. Get to Know Your Learning Style

Many popular Japanese language programs were designed with regard to the learning philosophy of a man named Dr. Pimsleur, who believed that the best way to learn a second language was in the same manner that you learned your first. This, of course, is to hear words and phrases and then repeat them, just like a child. This method works very well for some people, people who are auditory learners. If that's you, great. Choose one of these audio-based programs. If you are more of a visual learner, however, or if you like to study written dialogues, be sure that you choose a program that offers instruction in more than one learning style.

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2. Find Out When the Software Was Updated

I have seen quite a few "premium" Japanese language learning software programs that have not been updated in several years. These programs have fallen behind. Today's best programs have amazing voice recognition features, online forums, exceptional aesthetics, and much more. If a program hasn't been updated in several years, it is most likely not worth buying.

3. Check Out the Online Features

It used to be that you would buy a book or a software program, use it for what it was worth, and then get rid of it (or throw it in the back of the closet). Things have changed. All of the top Japanese software programs today have an online component. Sometimes you get exclusive access to learning forums. Other times you get to upload and download custom data made by both users of the product and by its manufacturer. Most of the top rated programs give you lifetime access to software and program updates. These "extra" features oftentimes prove to be more valuable than the software itself, so be sure to check them out before making a purchase.

4. Read Product Reviews

Online product reviews are something that I both love and hate. I love them because I like to hear what experienced users of a product think of it before I buy it myself. In the end, it matters little how much the company likes its own product, and it matters a lot what real users think of it. I hate online product reviews because they are oftentimes nothing more than sales pitches written by people selling the products themselves. To get around this, I do one simple thing. I only read product reviews that have a walkthrough. If there is a walkthrough of the program, then I at least know that the person who wrote the review has used the product.

5. Take a Test Drive

If a Japanese language learning software program doesn't offer a free trial, I don't buy it. It's as simple as that. This is not really an issue, though, as all of the top-rated programs have them. The problem is that people rarely use them. Instead, they make buying decisions based on marketing campaigns and product reputation. This doesn't work, though, because we all learn in different ways, and just because I love a certain software program doesn't mean that you will.

Summary

Learning Japanese can be fun, or it can be a difficult and frustrating experience. Much of how it turns out for you will depend on which software or online course you buy. Get a high-quality course that fits your learning style well, and you'll have a great experience.

Top 5 Ways to Study Japanese Online

The Internet is a wonderful place to learn Japanese. There’s really nothing in regards to the language that you can’t find or do. In fact, one could argue that there is too much to find and do. There is information overload. This article is going to cut to the chase and give you the top 5 ways you can use the Internet to learn Japanese.

1. Skype

Skype is the Internet’s best 100% free communication device, having both audio and video capabilities. How can you use it to learn Japanese? It’s simple. Go to a language learning forum and find a native Japanese speaker who wants to learn English. Then do a language exchange. It’s easy. It’s fun, and it’s free. Just make sure that you have a good quality headset with a microphone before you begin.

2. You Tube

You Tube is the Internet’s best video hosting website, and it is loaded with Japanese videos. Some of the videos are instructional, teaching Japanese grammar and pronunciation. Others are TV shows, popular movies, documentaries, and just about anything else that’s been recorded. There is literally, an unending supply of listening practice just waiting for you to come and watch it.

3. Dictionaries and Translators

Want to make your own flash cards? No worries. Just head over to Google Translate and type in the word you want to learn in English. The website will instantly give you the word in Japanese. Of course, Google is not the only one of the sites. It’s the biggest and best, though, so I recommend that you use it.

4. Forums

Japanese language learning forums are easy to find—just do a Google search. Once you sign up for one, you’ll have access to thousands of other people who are either learning or teaching Japanese.  You can get answers to tough questions. You can find language learning software recommendations. As I mentioned before, you can even find language learning partners. In addition, you’ll find lots of great Japanese language learning tips and tricks. Who knows? You may even make some great Japanese friends.

5. Online Japanese Courses

Finally, there are lots of great online Japanese language learning courses. In the past, software and web based language learning programs were a not-so-great option for those who didn’t have the time or money to attend a Japanese class in person. No more. Today’s online learning courses are just as good or better than classroom-based courses. They are well designed, thoroughly researched, highly interactive and very convenient to use.   

Learning Japanese can be difficult, but the Internet is here to help you. Go online and use Skype, You Tube, dictionaries and translators, forums, and online Japanese language learning programs, and you’ll be speaking your new language in no time.  

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Are Audio-Only Chinese Learning Programs Effective?

There is much debate among linguists about how Chinese language learning programs should be designed. One popular, but hotly contested, method is pure audio learning. This article will explain what these programs do. It will discuss their advantages and disadvantages, and it will give advice in regards to who should use them

By far, the most established audio-based Chinese learning software provider is Pimsleur. This is a program that contains no written dialogues, no vocabulary lists, and no pictures. It is simply a collection of MP3s. It was designed by a man named Dr. Pimsleur. It is his language learning philosophy that all audio-based programs are based on. What is the philosophy? It’s simple. Dr. Pimsleur believed that the best way to learn a foreign language was in the same manner that you learned your native language, by listening and repeating. You start with words. Then you move up to phrases, and finally, you graduate to speaking whole sentences. 

Does this method work? Yes and no. Yes, it works if all you want to do is communicate verbally. If you want to read or write Chinese characters you are out of luck. If you want to make connections between Chinese culture and its language, pure audio-based courses are not going to help you much. If, on the hand, you just want to pick up some basic communication skills, this method may work well for you. How do you know if it will work for you? 

Current educational research has shown that people learn in very different ways. Some people, for example, are visual learners; they learn best by using pictures and other graphics. Some learn by acting things out physically. Many, though, are audio learners. That is, they learn best when they hear information, like a lecture, or, as is the case here, an audio based Chinese language program. 

What’s the bottom line?

The bottom line is that if you are a strong audio learner, and if you are not interested, at the moment, in learning to read and write Chinese characters, then an audio based program will probably be good for you. If, on the other hand, you need visual learning aids and written dialogues, or if you want to read and write Chinese characters, you need to get a Chinese learning software program that is much more comprehensive.  

When making a decision about which Chinese learning program you should buy, keep in mind that many of the more comprehensive programs are, essentially, audio-based programs that offer additional learning resources, meaning that, if you buy one, you’ll get the full audio-based learning experience and you’ll all of the additional learning material provided in these packages. If you want to check out a “full-service” Chinese language learning program, check out the Tell Me More Chinese software program. It’s one of the most popular in the world.

Chinese Learning Software: Is It For You?

Is Chinese learning software right for you? Let’s find out. To do so, you need to ask yourself three important questions: “What’s my schedule like?” “How disciplined am I?” And “What’s my personality like?”

What’s My Schedule Like?

Do you work all day? Have family obligations every evening? If so, finding the time to attend a class on a regular basis is going to be difficult, especially if you have to travel far to get there. Trust me, starting a language course is easy, but quitting one is even easier. If you’re pressed for time, do yourself a favor and find some good Chinese learning software. In the long run, you’ll be glad you did. If, on the other hand, you have a bit of free time on your hands (lucky you) attending a course may bring the social interaction and structure that motivates you to keep on learning.

What’s My Personality Like?

I’ve taught lots of language courses over the years, and one thing has always been true--about 10% of the people in a classroom do all of the talking while the other 90% sit quietly, hoping not to be called on. You need to be honest with yourself here. Are you going to be embarrassed to make verbal mistakes in front of others? Are you going to sit quietly and hope that the teacher doesn’t call you on? Or are you going to be one of the people who speaks up? If you’re the latter, a classroom-based course is good for you. If you’re the former, however, you will get much more out of Chinese learning software. Today’s language learning software programs are highly interactive and will provide you with all the speaking practice you need right from the comfort of your own home.

How Disciplined Am I?

Learning Chinese is not easy, and to master the language you need to be disciplined. If you attend a class, you’ll have a regular schedule. You’ll have assigned homework. You’ll have goals and expectations given to you. If you use Chinese learning software, you’ll get none of that. It will be 100% up to you to ensure that you are defining goals, studying regularly, and monitoring your real learning progress. If you are a disciplined person, this will not be a problem. If, however, you are someone who is easily distracted, has a string of unfinished projects, or is not very organized, a software-based program may not be best for you.

Is Chinese learning software for you? Take into consideration your schedule, your personality, and your level of personal discipline and then make a decision for yourself. If you decide that a software-based program is best for you, check out these packages. They are the best selling Chinese learning software programs on the market.