How to learn Japanese during Corona lockdown times

It is said that where there is a will there's a way, which applies to any Japanese learning program as well. If you do not have the time to physically be present at a Japanese language training institute due to any reason at all, then you may rely on an app to learn Japanese. A simple search shall throw up a lot of Japanese language program apps that promise Japanese speaking lessons to the uninitiated.

 

However before you start learning from any such app, check if they have these three features that can make them one of the better Japanese learning apps.

 

1. Good explanation of Japanese grammar: Japanese grammar is very different from English grammar. The difficulties that any English speaker comes across while learning it includes the implied words may be omitted, different word orders like the subject, object, verb, etc. and the absence of any auxiliary verbs. Many of these Japanese learning apps run straight into the nuances of the language without providing the subtle differences in these languages that make it easier to understand and learn. A good program will invest a good amount of time in making the learner understand the differences. It is even better, if you find that the app provides these differences with various examples to help you grasp the concept easily and quickly.

 

2. Recognizes the level of the Japanese language: The Japanese language has several levels of formality that affect the word usage as well as their forms and the time they may be used. Words also change in this language based upon the relationship with the person with whom you are speaking with as well as the context of the conversation. Although it will be difficult to pick up the exact cultural nuances of the language from an app. But it still is a good way to be introduced to the different forms of a word and learn the general idea on how, where and when to use them. Many apps only focus on the most formal level of Japanese without providing any context or even informing the user that this is the case. You may gain a functional level of speaking in this manner but if you happen to visit Japan and speak to everyone in the most polite tongue, you will surely stick out like a sore thumb.

 

3. Teaches the Japanese writing system: The Japanese system of writing is one of the most complex in the world. It uses two character systems, one that represents words known as kanji and the other that represents syllables called kana to form a sentence. Though theoretically you may spell a Japanese phrase or word entirely with kana. This kana is further broken into katakana and hiragana which essentially work together. The katakana is the Japanese phonetic alphabet that is used for foreign loan words while the hiragana is used for the native Japanese words. Add to this jumble of three systems of the Japanese language program, the kanji which is added to kana to express meaning. The trouble with kanji is that they are logographic and the only way to remember them is by memorization through any Japanese learning program.