There are currently a large number of fun and efficient ways to learn Japanese online or with specialized Japanese software. Electronic dictionaries and online searches can speed up translations. With video chat, you can talk to friends in Japan live for next to no cost and immerse yourself for a few hours a day.
Even then however, there are several reasons that studying Japanese the old-fashioned way… pencil to paper can be a great way to master the language.
Learning to Write Kanji
Arguments can be made that the advent of Japanese language capable word processing programs have harmed the ability for both non-native and native Japanese speakers to write kanji. With modern IME (Input Management Engines), writing the pronunciation and hitting the space bar a few times will bring up the correct kanji for anything you want to say. In fact, you only need to be able to recognize the character to use it, cutting out the need to be able to actually write the strokes in the proper order and direction.
The best way to learn to write kanji is to take out a paper and pencil (or a fude brush for the traditionalists) and start copying them over and over until it sticks. When writing kanji it’s important for strokes to go in the right direction and order, and variations from the correct writing method can often be obvious.
Why is it important to be able to write kanji by hand? Well, as technologically advanced as Japan is, the country still uses a lot of handwritten documentation. Resumes are still now traditionally forms written by hand. In fact, the care and ability with which a person writes and utilizes kanji is considered a good indicator of such things as organizational skills, attention to detail, and even intelligence.
Being able to handwrite kanji is definitely worth the effort to step away from the computer screen for a few minutes each day and spend some time putting pen to paper.
The Cultural Side of Japanese Language
The old-fashioned method by which Japanese culture can be learned is simply heading over to Japan and immersing yourself in the culture. It is easy to read and remember various facts and caveats about Japanese business culture, but another thing to actually find yourself in a real-life, high-stakes situation in which the proper bow or turn of phrase is needed.
Another important aspect of the culture is being able to speak intelligently about concepts and even objects that are not as common outside of Japan. Having actually visited a Japanese hot spring, anime conference, university lecture, or business meeting can really help students learn Japanese in the proper perspective.
Reading Japanese Newspapers and Other Media
While learning Japanese should definitely be fun, applying Japanese requires a bit of old-fashioned reading. Sometimes one of the best textbooks for would-be Japanese translators is a Japanese newspaper, magazine article, or book. Sitting in a tea shop and reading through some real-life examples of written Japanese can help people learn Japanese better by revealing some of their weak spots. If the grammar used is a mystery, if there are an excessive number of new kanji, or if the big picture meaning of an article is hard to understand, it can indicate where review might be helpful.
Mixing New Japanese Learning with the Old
Students who hope to learn Japanese, no different from people learning anything, will benefit from a wide variety of study techniques. The latest technology, newest Japanese learning software, and best textbooks are all valuable, however they can be so fun, effective, and encouraging that it can be easy to forget about some of the more labor intensive aspects of writing, reading, and communicating in Japanese. Taking even a few minutes to supplement the modern learning techniques by practicing writing kanji, reading materials designed for a Japanese audience, and immersing yourself in Japanese culture can add some fun and variety and help you achieve a more well-rounded Japanese fluency.
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