| You have decided to learn to speak Japanese. Good | | | | time you have available be limited to your time in the |
| for you. The reasons for wanting to learn any new | | | | car during the commute to and from your job? If so, |
| language can be varied. In your case perhaps you will | | | | there are quite a number of CD and audio tape |
| be traveling to Japan and want to extract the | | | | courses that would be perfect for you. Perhaps you |
| maximum benefit and learning from your exposure to | | | | have decided to devote some time at home each |
| this fascinating culture. | | | | evening to your task. |
| Perhaps after reading "Memoirs of a Geisha" or | | | | There are numerous online courses that are highly |
| watching the film or seeing "The Last Samurai" you, | | | | regarded and very effective. Perhaps you thrive best |
| like so many other westerners, are simply fascinated | | | | in the company of others with a similar desire to learn. |
| with this ancient and exotic culture. Whatever your | | | | Once again, local community college classes are |
| reason, now you have to figure out the most effective | | | | available for you to share your desire and excitement |
| to learn the language. Is there one way that works | | | | with others. Whichever of these situations describes |
| better than any other? No, there is not. However, there | | | | you best, there is a technique that will allow you to |
| will be a particular technique that works best- for you. | | | | learn Japanese. The language itself is not difficult to |
| What that approach and technique is will depend on | | | | learn, at least to a degree of basic proficiency in |
| where, how and to what extent you have the time to | | | | speaking and listening. You may not wind up reading |
| devote to the learning process. Are you able to work | | | | Japanese literature, but you will be able to converse at |
| at it on a full-time basis? There are Japanese language | | | | a basic and acceptable level. There is no one best |
| classes at schools, universities and community colleges | | | | way to learn Japanese. But there is a technique for |
| in your area and most of them are free! Or will the | | | | learning Japanese that is best for you. |