50 Ways to Increase Your Japanese Language Ability (Study Techniques)

I have been studying Japanese for eight years. The first three years I studied at a university in the United States (studying and working for the university as a Japanese tutor). One year was spent working in South Korea and studying Japanese every morning with Korean adults (I was the only non-Korean student in the class). The latter four years have been me living and working in Japan, using Japanese on a daily basis and, for the most part, getting by quite well with the skills I have developed. I have experience in academic translation work, language consultation, education and interpretation.

I’m not sure how relevant this will be to those learning a language other than Japanese, but if they are of use, then great, I’m happy to have helped contribute to your gain in competency.

The following list is in no particular order. You decide which of these is more useful than the other and above all, use them. Thank you.

1. Start with reading and writing as this will help you in the long run.

2. Learn the hiragana syllabry perfectly and be able to write and recall it from memory.

3. Learn the katakana syllabry perfectly and be able to write and recall it from memory.

4. Learn a set number of kanji per day by writing them over and over and over again.

5. Memorize at least 10 particles. If possible, buy a book specifically dealing with particles and learn as many as possible. You will thank yourself later.

6. Increase and review your vocabulary on a daily basis.

7. Practice pronunciation with native Japanese speakers.

8. Have conversations with native Japanese speakers as much as possible.

9. Learn how to say: “How do you say _______ in Japanese?” in Japanese.

10. Watch Japanese movies with English subtitles and take notes.

11. Watch English movies with Japanese subtitles and take notes.

12. Watch Japanese movies with Japanese subtitles and take notes.

13. Listen to Japanese music and pay attention to pronunciation.

14. If possible, go to karaoke with Japanese friends and sing Japanese songs.

15. Find articles written in Japanese about things that you are interested in. Read them even if you don’t understand every single kanji. Try to grasp the subject matter and explain it to someone else in Japanese.

16. Buy a reliable paper dictionary. Spend an afternoon exploring it.

17. Go to Japan by yourself for two weeks and interact as much as you can.

18. When in Japan, ask random people for directions and listen carefully.

19. Write your own paragraphs in Japanese and have a native speaker check them for you.

20. Learn the difference between casual and formal Japanese.

21. Learn “keigo” and learn how and when to use it.

22. Listen to podcasts or radio broadcasts in Japanese.

23. Listen to a Japanese speaker or celebrity whom you admire and mimic the way they talk. I recommend Ryuichi Sakamoto’s podcast.

24. Learn about Japanese dialects and how they differ from each other.

25. Learn how to read and write. I say this again as it will set you apart from other foreigners who can only speak. Plus, you will understand much more of what is happening around you.

26. Learn about “aimai” and observe how people around you talk to one another.

27. Write messages on your cellphone in Japanese. Learn the Japanese emoticon system.

28. Study more kanji. Buy kanji flashcards and study the hell out of them.

29. Take the JLPT tests or buy the study books and simply learn from them.

30. Participate in a speech contest and practice your speech AT LEAST 500 times.

31. Videotape yourself speaking Japanese and observe your pronunciation.

32. Record your Japanese teacher’s lecture and listen closely.

33. Record your own voice speaking Japanese and observe your own pronunciation.

34. Speak to your Japanese friends on the telephone and observe how challenging it is when you cannot see the other person’s mouth.

35. Pay attention to body language and mimic those around you (do this respectfully and subtly).

36. Learn how to bow properly.

37. Learn how to count things properly.

38. If you come across a word that you don’t understand, ask someone.

39. Organize a study group and meet weekly. Don’t just complain or watch anime, but STUDY together. Challenge each other.

40. If you want to excel in a certain kind of career, learn as many words about that career as you can.

41. Start a translation project of a book or article that you like.

42. Once a month, go back and review ALL of the basics (grammar patterns, vocabulary, kanji, etc.).

43. Become a master at asking questions.

44. Enlist the help of a tutor or mentor, someone who can help you develop your skills.

45. Re-read articles that you have read and note how your understanding has changed or how you have forgotten kanji that you were certain you already knew.

46. Study Japanese “reiho,” or manners.

47. Start teaching Japanese to others who are just beginning. Explaining the concepts will help give you a better grasp on them.

48. Practice your reading and writing as much as possible.

49. Listen to Japanese audio and speak along with it (again, imitation).

50. Put yourself in reasonable situations where you MUST speak Japanese.