In the early stages of learning any foreign language it is absolutely necessary to practice
as often as possible. This seems needless to say, but within the busy pace of modern-
day life, it’s not always convenient to keep a regular study schedule going. Due to
the fact that Japanese is one of the more challenging foreign languages for an English
speaker, this time-honored concept of regular re-enforcement should be held as an
indispensable motto in the quest to master Nihongo (Japanese).

From a personal point of view, the hardest period of my own Japanese learning
experience was the “the point of departure.” Where do I begin? What sorts of study
materials do I need and where do I find them? What is useful and what is a waste of
time? Of course, asking friends who’ve been down a similar path is always a good place
to start. After much deliberation and plenty of dead ends, I decided the best route to
travel was through online resources.

Ask anyone who has taken it upon themselves to really attack a language. The majority
of “tech-savy” individuals will point you in the direction of online resources.

Thankfully, there are a plethora of useful online resources to take advantage of for the
common beginner, and advanced students alike. Of course, it is important to find the
tools that work the best for you as an individual, because (as we all know) everyone
learns at a different pace and through different methods.

You’ve heard it before, but tools like flashcards are undeniably helpful when it comes to
absorbing vocabulary and the memorization of kana and kanji. Regardless of how busy
we are, it is not impossible to set aside 15 minutes a day. Below are some tools that I
(and scores of others) have used to keep my skills sharp and growing.

Anki

Anki is one of the best dowloadable flashcard programs available. The word Anki is
Japanese for memorization. The program is so helpful because it uses algorithms
to employ spaced repetition, so the viewer practices the cards he or she has trouble
remembering the most. One of the most useful perks of the program is that the “decks”
of cards are created by users, so there is an almost infinite amount of different resources
to access through the program. I use Anki to practice Japanese vocabulary, kanji
and useful Japanese phrases.

Rosetta Stone

Maybe the most popular program used worldwide for studying Japanese (and other
languages), Rosetta Stone is a useful computer software program that teaches using
a method similar to “the way in which humans learn languages naturally.” Rosetta
Stone software uses something called “Dynamic Immersion method” which promotes
memorization without drills or explanations. The user is subjected to words, characters
and grammar with a difficulty level that raises as the student progresses. Rosetta Stone
can be purchased online at or at one of its many vendors, world-wide.

Japanesepod101

Japanesepod101 is a Japanese language podcast that has recently picked up a lot
popularity due to its affordable price and easy to access podcasts offered online and
on itunes. This website uses daily podcasts with textual supplements to offer its users
a good blend of materials. One of the most impressive things about Japanesepod101
is that its podcasts offer the viewer a helpful dose of casual Japanese and cultural
information that really comes in handy when traveling to Japan and meeting Japanese
friends at home and abroad.

Podcasts, flashcard software and highly sophisticated computer programs are just the
tip of the iceberg when considering online resources to study Japanese. Use the web as a
tool to find what’s best for you.

Regular re-enforcement and practice everyday with one or more of the above tools will
undoubtedly improve a students Japanese ability and keep one’s (previously acquired)
skills heightened and improving.

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