How To Learn Japanese With Using Audio

How To Learn Japanese With Using Audio Learning Japanese with audio is lacking suspect the best and most useful way to get happening. If you are fluky enough to have some Japanese links who can help then you are already before of the plucky. In most suitcases people will look to sunset classes at their …

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Rocket Japanese – Learning Japanese Nihongo Is Fun And Easy

Rocket Japanese – Learning Japanese Nihongo Is Fun And Easy Have you always wanted to learn Japanese or Nihongo, but somehow never found the time to attend classes? Or not sure which course is suitable? Well, you have arrived at the right place for Rocket Japanese is an amazing interactive course that is dynamic, comprehensive, …

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Learn Japanese Language School

Learn Japanese Language School Japanese is one of the most spoken languages in the world with around 120 million people speaking it across the globe. Although, spoken mostly in Japan but it is now also spoken in parts of America, China and other South East Asian countries. It is a proven fact that in today’s …

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ENTREPRENEURS HELP ELEMENTARY STUDENTS LEARN TO SPEAK SPANISH FAST!

ENTREPRENEURS HELP ELEMENTARY STUDENTS LEARN TO SPEAK SPANISH FAST! Phoenix, Arizona (November 5, 2010) It seems like every time you turn on the TV lately you see an Ad for a language learning program.   The team at Progressive Media Partners, LLC are hoping to capitalize on this trend.  This year they launched a product called …

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Finding the Best Learning Method So You Can Learn Japanese Fast

Finding the Best Learning Method So You Can Learn Japanese Fast These days, when our time is so precious, setting out to learn a second language might seem too difficult. For instance, if you wanted to learn Japanese fast using many traditional methods, it could take years. However, with proper learning techniques, you can become …

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How To Learn Japanese With Using Audio Rocket Japanese – Learning Japanese Nihongo Is Fun And Easy Learn Japanese Language School ENTREPRENEURS HELP ELEMENTARY STUDENTS LEARN TO SPEAK SPANISH FAST! Finding the Best Learning Method So You Can Learn Japanese Fast

Jul
29

How To Learn Japanese With Using Audio

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How To Learn Japanese With Using Audio

Learning Japanese with audio is lacking suspect the best and most useful way to get happening. If you are fluky enough to have some Japanese links who can help then you are already before of the plucky. In most suitcases people will look to sunset classes at their local seminary or on the internet for online chief Japanese education.

Of course the best way to learn any dialect is in the country itself. This has evident advantages but for most of us this is not feasible and we have to elect more realistic methods of how to learn Japanese.

The more you learn about Japan and its people you promptly apprehend that they are the masters of efficiency. You would do well to classic them in this admire and relate their meticulous methodology to some explore which will permit you to arise your adventure in Japanese idiom education in a way that lends itself to providing most takings for the time that you invest in studying.

Ok so we might all admire the Japanese mindset but just don’t have the time or means to waste on the research, lucky I have done it for you then!

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Why report Japanese? There are many advantages to knowledge any new words, in this defense the budding importance of Japan in the inclusive markets could mean that having some taste of Japanese society and prose may give you a limit if you are employed in such areas as tourism, journalism, technology and many other areas of employment.

Of course it would be diligent of me not to reveal how incredibly pleasing Japan is itself and how correctly fascinating their polish is. Learning how to address Japanese with a position to visit the country at some meaning is in my scene enough of a motivating reason and reward in itself.

Although it may appear a scary seek if you prepare your approach in loan and put some habitual time aside for studying, knowledge Japanese with audio is achievable. I newly came across a youthful man while researching the business who’s learn to speak Japanese tips included,”erudition Japanese on his palm pilot.”

Having useless a lot of time in the forums and researching the best way to learn Japanese I have come up with the next conclusions.

Learning about the tongue and nation is best done in Japan itself. If at all doable solicit the help of some Japanese links. If with Japanese MP3 downloads or inexpensive poetry CDs, ensure that they come from only the very best sources like the ones open for selling by Dr Paul Pimsleur, Dr Robert Blair and the publishing house Harper Collins. All have proven footpath account for learning Japanese online with audio.

Whether your motivation is delicate or professional you can be certain that this adventure that you are about to board on will be correctly rewarding. Many scholars have exhausted their full lives deep in the beauty of this speech, its people and its culture. You could do a lot shoddier than choosing to invest some of your precious time in learning Japanese with audio.

Ok it’s probably predictable to say Sayonara (Sa-yo-na-ra). (goodbye)but I’ll add a little as I disgust being predicatable

Saying goodbye to a close colleague (informal) is said like this “Ja-ne” (pronounced) jar-neigh! Have fun learning the Japanese language, Ja-ne!

Visit the Countries Facts website to learn about facts about Spain and facts about Japan.

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Jul
29

Rocket Japanese – Learning Japanese Nihongo Is Fun And Easy

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Rocket Japanese – Learning Japanese Nihongo Is Fun And Easy

Have you always wanted to learn Japanese or Nihongo, but somehow never found the time to attend classes? Or not sure which course is suitable? Well, you have arrived at the right place for Rocket Japanese is an amazing interactive course that is dynamic, comprehensive, and most important, proven to work!! Learn Japanese online at your own pace, anywhere, anytime, a portable and  flexible course that suits different learning styles.

You will be taught not only how to speak Japanese, but also how to read and write. With comprehensive lessons which are affordable, clear instructions which are easy to follow and understand, learning Japanese is so simple and fun.

The Rocket Japanese course is a complete Japanese learning system with thorough step-by-step methods and contains everything needed to learn Japanese well. Whether you wish to learn it for travelling to Japan, speak to Japanese friends or just to learn another language, The Rocket Japanese course, with its modern and unique methods, has everything you need to succeed.

The 31-lesson Interactive Audio Course are very user-friendly comprising of modern, everyday conversations, with a chance to talk to native speakers, a great way to improve your spoken Japanese. Lessons comprise of easy to manage parts, with written transcripts of the conversations in Japanese and English.

The 31 Language & Culture Lessons comprising over 1000 embedded audio clips, and easy-to-follow videos, will help you understand better the Japanese culture, as well as step-by-step explanations on Japanese writings. To learn a language well, it is important to first understand the deep-meaning of their culture and their way of life, how certain words or phrases are used on certain occassions. You will also receive step-by-step written explanations on how to read and write Japanese.

The MegaJapanese software games offer a very fun and interactive way of building and improving your Japanese vocabulary and be able to listen to the correct pronunciation thus improving your audio comprehension, very helpful in learning and writing certain words and characters.

Wondering whether your understanding of the Japanese language has improved, and to what level? Wonder no more. Try out the Rocket Japanese interactive quizzes and Rocket Rehearsal self-tests and be amazed by your great improvement.

Rocket Japanese teachers, native speakers and fellow Japanese learners in the Rocket Japanese Forum – open 24/7 will be there to answer any queries on the Japanese language and any problem you might encounter. What a good way to have some practise on the language with fellow Rocket Japanese learners and native speakers.

Take the Rocket Japanese Certificate Tests to round up a wonderful course on learning Japanese in a fun, effective and easy way. A fun way to learn ensures lessons are never boring and makes for easy remembering.

With the bonus of a LIFETIME membership to the Rocket Japanese Premium course and FREE access to all upgrades and enhancements, you will definitely have a great time speaking and writing Japanese. Learn to speak Japanese like a native speaker.

Buy Rocket Japanese Premium now and have the bonus of an exclusive Rocket Japanese Survival Kit worth .90, FREE with your order! Besides the online| download version, you also have the option of buying a 20CD Pack with uncompressed audio, great for those who prefer to listen to the Interactive Audio Lessons on their home stereo/car CD player.

Speak like a native Japanese speaker. Buy Rocket Japanese and have the convenience of  learning Japanese online anywhere, anytime.

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Jul
25

Learn Japanese Language School

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Learn Japanese Language School

Japanese is one of the most spoken languages in the world with around 120 million people speaking it across the globe. Although, spoken mostly in Japan but it is now also spoken in parts of America, China and other South East Asian countries. It is a proven fact that in today’s world being bilingual has its own set of advantages. Be it professionally or personally. But why that second language has to be Japanese. Well the answer is simple. With Japanese companies moving out of their shell and spreading their businesses all around the world it becomes imperative to learn this language if you want to do business with them as majority of the Japanese people are still weak in English.

Japan is a pioneer in Automobile and Electronics sector and for companies in other countries to do business with them they got to understand Japanese. This is the reason why many companies are now hiring Japanese Interpreters to help them in dealing with their Japanese clients. Learning Japanese through learn Japanese language school is a good but costly option as normally the prices of classes in such schools is very high. There are a lot of cheap alternatives available but nothing beats the quality of traditional classroom like courses. With working professionals in mind, these schools now offer courses that are convenient to attend such as weekend classes or classes in evening or night.

Once you enrol yourself in any Japanese language school you will most probably start with an introductory course going on to an intermediate course and then the final course. You can skip the introductory courses based on your skill level. Also the prices of all these courses vary according to the difficulty level so if you are a beginner it is always better to pay for the entire course as it is comparatively cheaper than going in for individual courses. So what are you waiting for? Its time to broaden your horizon and add wings to your work potential.

 

Author enjoys writing education articles on topics like Japanese language school. Visit us for more information.

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Jul
21

ENTREPRENEURS HELP ELEMENTARY STUDENTS LEARN TO SPEAK SPANISH FAST!

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ENTREPRENEURS HELP ELEMENTARY STUDENTS LEARN TO SPEAK SPANISH FAST!

Phoenix, Arizona (November 5, 2010) It seems like every time you turn on the TV lately you see an Ad for a language learning program.   The team at Progressive Media Partners, LLC are hoping to capitalize on this trend.  This year they launched a product called “Learn Spanish for Kids.”  Andre Hoffner, Director of Sales & Marketing says “We wanted to create a product for children that is as effective as Rosetta Stone is for adults.”

“Learn Spanish for Kids” is a DVD series that includes 60 lessons on ten fun and educational DVDs that teach Spanish to elementary age children.  Kids love watching the interactive lessons that include memory games, songs, jokes, all on a modern “virtual set” just like many of the popular kids TV shows.  By using repetitive teaching methods, exciting graphics, and lively music, these DVDs prepare children to become fluent Spanish speakers.  The lessons are designed to create a visual link in your child’s memory through sight, sound, and speech association.  Children who complete this program will know more Spanish than most 2nd year high school Spanish students.  Although designed for kids, these DVDs are fun for the entire family!

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The developers of this language learning system are very confident in the results that children can achieve.  The product comes with a 100% Money Back Guarantee.  “Kids can learn as much Spanish in a matter of weeks as they would typically learn in their entire elementary school experience.  That is, if their school even offers a language program.” says David Ellison, Director of Business Development.

This program is a great Christmas Gift Idea.  The lessons are very entertaining so why not give your children a gift that will give them an advantage in life and career?  This isn’t your typical “Toy” that will be used for a few weeks and then throw it away.  This gift will last a lifetime!

If would like to purchase the program they are available online at the company website: www.languagezoom.com (secure website), www.EBAY.com , and www.AMAZON.com

 

Glenda Ellison, Hometown: Goodyear, Arizona (Phoenix Suburb)

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Jul
20

Finding the Best Learning Method So You Can Learn Japanese Fast

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Finding the Best Learning Method So You Can Learn Japanese Fast

These days, when our time is so precious, setting out to learn a second language might seem too difficult. For instance, if you wanted to learn Japanese fast using many traditional methods, it could take years. However, with proper learning techniques, you can become reasonably fluent in as little as a few months.

Learning a second language becomes difficult for many people because they try to do too much at one time. Much like when you learned your native tongue, though, there were steps to take: listen, speak, read, and write. To learn Japanese fast you need to do the same thing: do lots of listening and then only once you have a grasp of the language should you learn how to read and write it.  

There are many great books on learning Japanese and you will find them to be a good supplement to your studies. Yet, with so many options available on the bookshelf, it is hard to know what you actually need or what will work best for you. When books are the primary study material, it is hard to learn Japanese fast because many people get bored or lose motivation to keep studying.

A far more interesting and effective way to learn Japanese fast is through an interactive learning program available on the computer. The biggest advantage to a computer program is that, in addition to all of the content, you get to hear words and phrases being spoken by native Japanese speakers. Some of the computer-based language products also have other interactive elements included in the package, such as grammar and vocabulary games. Interactive games can really help reinforce the material while keeping the student engaged, leading to faster learning.

In order to become fluent in Japanese in the least amount of time possible, a good computer program needs to be part of your study materials. If you want to learn Japanese fast then interactive programs are definitely the way to go. One thing to keep in mind, however, is not to just rush out and buy the first computer program that says “Japanese”.  Do your homework and pick one that interests and engages you.

Learning Japanese can be a wonderful experience if you set out equipped with the right tools. Do some research, find a good Japanese language software program, and good luck with your learning.

Andrew Bartlett is head writer for Japanese Language Now, which provides free resources and articles about learning the Japanese language including where to go to download Japanese language software.

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Jul
19

Watch anime online – Easy Japanese

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Watch anime online – Easy Japanese

Article by Walter Hart







Do you want to know how you can become fluent in Japanese? This article is written for those who ask that question. Within a very short time, you can learn Japanese.Below are four important tips that you can really use. These four tips are enough aid for you to learn it in a year or two.

1.Why do you want to learn it?Think about your reasons (for fun, a vacation in Japan, etc). 20 seconds should be sufficient enough for you to summarize them. You answer should not only center on video games and/or anime because this is usually a short term fascination. Keep your purpose in mind to make you feel motivated and enthusiastic.

2. It is usually better to learn it yourselfI must tell you that language schools don?t want you to know this. In reality, learning language in school wouldn?t make you fluent in that language. You can learn a language by yourself within a few months only if you are guided by the proper techniques.

There are people who say Japanese is too hard, that is why they are not fluent even if they took lessons for many years.As much as possible, do not enroll in language classes. Keep yourself focused and practice for about two hours every day until you gain the familiarity with the language. Your language skills will become better and better as you practice.

3. Think in JapanesePlaying a sport can be compared to learning a language. A high-level of thought is not really required, but you should be able to react fast enough. You react when you feel that it is needed. When you are studying new words, you should always think of ways on how you can use them. Visualize yourself talking to somebody and get the feel of talking the language fluently. Your skills will come out naturally when you are in the actual situation and at that moment, you can use the words that you learned. Study the language as often as possible and practice it. You should see yourself improving every day. In the end, if you are really that enthusiastic, you will find out that you would like to learn something new about the language you are trying to learn.

4. Being natural is importantIt will be fun if you take it naturally. You can learn by chatting with somebody who knows the language or by making a blog in that same medium and so on.

We?re done?four important tips on how to be a fluent speaker of the Japanese language. Now you know it is not about studying it, it is about using it. In fact, numerous ways to learn Japanese are available.

These are the coolest ways to learn Japanese: vacate to Japan, have a Japanese friend, start a blog in Japanese, listen to Japanese music, read Japanese books, manga, watch anime online. Yes, you read it correctly, watch anime online. Try it, it really



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These are the coolest ways to learn Japanese: vacate to Japan, have a Japanese friend, start a blog in Japanese, listen to Japanese music, read Japanese books, manga, watch anime online. Yes, you read it correctly, Stream Anime. Try Watch Anime Online.

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Jul
19

The Most Effective Ways to Learn Japanese Words

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The Most Effective Ways to Learn Japanese Words

Learning a second language can be a fun and challenging activity and in the beginning, learning vocabulary is the key.  Words are the building blocks that make up a language and the more you know the better you will be able to structure sentences and communicate more efficiently.

If you are interested in learning Japanese, you must find a good way to learn Japanese words.  One tried and true method is to make up flash cards and try to learn at least 10 new Japanese words each day.  With practice most people are able to learn a large number of new words in a relatively short amount of time.  After you build your Japanese vocabulary you will start to feel confident and begin to build a good foundation.

When people are young, they use picture books to help them learn to read.  When starting to learn a second language like Japanese, picture books can serve much the same purpose.  Many of the dictionaries at the bookstore are visual, or picture dictionaries.  Many people dismiss visual dictionaries as child’s play, but the added visual component really helps reinforce your learning.  To learn Japanese words more efficiently, a visual dictionary is an invaluable tool.  Pictures are also a major component of many computer programs that are designed to help you learn Japanese quickly.

It is at about this time that you may decide to take the next steps in becoming fluent in the language.  The Japanese language learner has no lack of options for study materials and methods.  Reading Japanese language textbooks, taking a Japanese language class, or using a computer-based Japanese language course are all options.  Whichever choice you make, there will be advantages and disadvantages, but the computer-based option seems to be the most effective these days.

A component in many of the Japanese language software programs are vocabulary games that complement the other program material.  The interactive aspect of games makes the learning process more fun and therefore more likely something that you will stick to.  As with most learning processes you must take the time to study in order to learn Japanese words. As well as making the most of online study courses by playing games and taking vocabulary quizzes, you need to make sure that you are writing the words down.  Writing down your vocabulary words repeatedly will help make the connection stronger and the word will be easier to remember.  The more ways you can study, such as seeing, writing and listening, the better to learn Japanese words.

If you are committed to learn Japanese words and gain fluency in Japanese, it will require time and practice.  The key to keeping interested in your studies and making them more productive is to use a number of different methods and fortunately today’s language students have many great choices available to them.

Andrew Bartlett is head writer for Japanese Language Now, which provides free resources and articles about learning the Japanese language including reviews of the leading Japanese language software.

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Jul
18

Best Way to Learn Japanese

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Best Way to Learn Japanese

 

 

As the old (and rather crude) saying goes, there’s more than one way to skin a cat. While learning Japanese is no exception, there are good ways and not so good ways to go about it. The old-fashioned way to learn Japanese was to start off with a little intro into the pronunciation, learn a few greetings and phrases, then just when it seemed to be getting fun, you were hit over the head with the grammar hammer and dragged through endless hours of sentence structure, verb structure, use of particles etc, etc. Not only does this suck all the fun out of learning Japanese, (with the exception of those sickos who actually enjoy it;-) it is totally the wrong way to go about it. When you started learning your first language at the age of about one or so, how many of your parents whipped out a text-book and started teaching you the nitty gritty of conjugating verbs? My guess is that you learnt by observation. By watching and listening and eventually repeating what you heard. Learning Japanese should be no different.

Immersing yourself into the language as much as possible gives you the best opportunity to absorb it and resembles a child learning their mother tongue. From that you could infer that the best way to learn Japanese is to go to Japan and surround yourself with the language 24/7. But while it is probably the best and quickest way, moving to another country in order to learn Japanese is simply not a luxury most people can afford. However there are other ways in which to immerse yourself into the language without actually having to go there. They include:

* Taking an online or classroom course.

* Chatting with Japanese friends.

* Reading Japanese books or manga.

* Watching Japanese TV or movies.

* Listening to Japanese music or Radio.

I would say the best way to learn Japanese with minimum cost and maximum speed would be to combine an online course with a couple (or all) of the other methods. This is where individual choice of cat skinning comes into play. I know some people learn Japanese almost solely through listening to Japanese music, and reach a level that they can have a reasonable conversation at. But unless you really enjoy the music and can listen to it over and over again, it is not going to sink in. As is the case with basically everything we do or learn in life, it’s much easier when we enjoy ourselves.

Lets take a closer look at the options I’ve listed as supplements to an online (or classroom) course. The first one was chatting with Japanese friends. When I started learning Japanese in high school, I was also playing tennis at an academy in Australia and was really lucky to have a constant stream of Japanese players at the center. I would practice any words or phrases I had learnt the previous day in class and constantly be asking them how to say such and such in Japanese. They would also benefit from the exchange as they’d be asking similar questions about speaking English. This method of give and take is a great way to learn Japanese and review what you have been studying in your online or classroom course. Even if you don’t have any Japanese friends there are plenty of sites dedicated to these type of give and take chats, Japanese forums and places to meet Japanese friends on the net.

The remaining three ways I’ve listed to learn Japanese are really up to you. Whether you prefer reading, listening to music or watching TV or a combination of all three, there is a huge variety of free material out there for you to choose from. Most Japanese books require you to at least be able to read the hiragnana alphabet but reading books aimed at younger children is a great way to improve your reading skills while picking up new words and sentence structure as you go. Japanese TV and music are obviously going to be similar, children’s programs and nursery rhymes may not be the most stimulating material for an adult but they are a great way to start learning Japanese. Alternatively you could battle it out with some more mature TV shows and songs if watching the Japanese version of The Wiggles isn’t your cup of Japanese tea. Whatever you choose to do, remember that enjoying yourself while you do it is without a doubt the best way to learn Japanese.

 

Adam has been living in Japan for twelve years and runs his own school teaching both Japanese and English. Check out the Best Way to Learn Japanese to see how to get a FREE six day trial for Rocket Japanese, tons of links to free Japanese TV, books, forums and more articles and free lessons. Or go straight to Learn Japanese Online to see the best online Japanese course.

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Jul
18

Best Way to Learn Japanese – it All Started at the Movies

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Best Way to Learn Japanese – it All Started at the Movies

My quest to learn how to speak Japanese began with the Anime movies, Spirited Away and Princess Mononoke, by the renowned Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki. These amazing movies were the catalyst that propelled my interest in the Japanese culture and hence, my desire to learn Japanese fast but in the most proficient way possible.

I was determined to learn a language that most of my fellow North Americans either have no interest in or find it too challenging. Japanese not only sounds significantly different from English but the Japanese letters (Hiragana), that represent the sounds that make up the Japanese language and is central to the Japanese writing system, are very different. Because of this, I was even hesitant to learn basic Japanese but I put my fears aside and proceeded to find the best way to learn Japanese. After weeks of researching the Internet and networking by word of mouth, I found an amazing course that teaches you to speak Japanese online. So, here’s a brief overview of this course to help you in your goal to learn Japanese easily.

First, there is a 31-lesson Interactive Audio Course that covers everything that you need to know to learn Japanese quickly and to become part of a Japanese community.

Second, their software: the vocabulary software is a word building game designed to help you learn about 1000 Japanese words and to cover 20 different topics. You can also use this game indefinitely because it allows you to add your own images. The audio software will help you overcome the most difficult aspect of learning Japanese and that is the comprehension. The Hiragana Software learning game helps you to easily recognize and memorize the Hiragana character set used in the Japanese writing and pronunciation system.

Third, there are the Grammar Newsletter Series that provides you with 31 illustrated Grammar Lessons and examples. These are invaluable cultural informational tools with explanations of written Japanese and of popular Japanese grammar. The visual tools of this series are unique to this product and their value is priceless as a learning resource.

Finally, there is also access to a Learner’s Forum and Support system that is staffed with fellow students, natives and Japanese teachers. This provides you with extra free resources to further assist you on your quest to learn to speak fluent Japanese.

I am pleased to say that I am able to watch Miyazaki’s movies in their original Japanese and I look forward to visiting Japan one day. Thank you, Hayao Miyazaki for opening up the door for me to experience, acknowledge and respect the Japanese culture.

Paul Brown is a marketing consultant and life-long learner with a passion for languages.

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Jul
18

Around the World in 100 Words – Five Language Apps for the Business Traveler

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Around the World in 100 Words – Five Language Apps for the Business Traveler

Article by Alyssa Paris







If you’re a business traveler and a frequent flyer to international destinations, you understand that English can take you many places, but it can’t always get the job done. Learning a few phrases in the languages of your foreign business associates can make your experience in their country more pleasant and score you extra credit points.

Too busy to read a foreign-language phrase book or attend a language class before your next trip? Language-learning apps are your solution. Compact and mobile par excellence, these highly engaging applications can accompany you in your travels and help you bolster your language skills at your leisure.

Let’s take a look at five free mobile apps that you can combine to acquire foreign language skills on the road and on the fly:

1. BykiQuick, essential phrases in Danish, Dutch, French, German, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Taglog are at your fingertips with this app. Rather than delving into extensive vocabulary, Byki is strong in teaching everyday greetings across several languages, with the multiple-destination traveler in mind. In three easy steps, you can master everyday cordialities that will take you across Europe and Asia.

The first step involves reviewing the flash cards, which come with images and native speaker audio. In the second step, you see the target language and come up with the English translation. When you’ve got the gist of the vocabulary, the third step is to translate from English into the foreign language.

Byki has also compiled a database of vocabulary around key themes such as beverages. Want to know how to order a beer in every country you visit? This is the app for you.

2. BusuuWhere Byki offers breadth, Busuu provides depth. Available in Spanish, Russian, Portuguese, Italian, French and German, Busuu has a similar interface to Rosetta Stone in terms of exercises and format. Native speaker sound, illustrations, colorful flashcards, dialogues and audiovisual quizzes make for an engaging and active learning experience. Students are rewarded with Busuu berries at the end of each level.

Another great feature is that Busuu allows you to review your mistakes. You can acquire vocabulary pertaining to a variety of themes, including work, sports, days of the week, body parts, telling time, dates and seasons, family members, numbers, colors, meals, directions, pets, geography, clothes, fruits, vegetables and more.

3. VocabologyThis vocabulary-boosting app is designed for the daily language apprentice. It allows you to get a word-of-the-day in Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, French and English from a variety of sources. Because repetition is often the secret to retention, Vocabology uses the word of the day in multiple contexts, including an addictive quiz.

4. Flashcards DeluxeOne of the best ways to commit all of this vocabulary to memory is to review it throughout the day. This app allows you to create your own deck of flashcards with words you come across in your studies and to import decks from the shared library. You can personalize the backgrounds of the cards, add photos and sounds from your smartphone or from the app’s website, modify font size and colors, set up a slideshow and flag cards for more intensive review.

As you go through your cards, you signal your responses as either correct, incorrect or “strong correct” (meaning no need for further review). The program then schedules the cards in spaced repetition as a function of these responses so that you don’t under-study certain words and over-study the ones you have mastered. Using the Leitner card order option, you can also focus solely on the cards you’ve gotten wrong recently. Spend ten minutes with this app every morning when you wake up and/or at night when you go to bed for optimum retention.

5. Radio/Newspaper appsAs your familiarity with the language increases, you can begin to immerse yourself in the culture of your travel destination by listening to the national radio stations and reading local press articles. If you are traveling to Spain, for example, download the RNE app, Radio Nacional de España to listen to any of the six national radio stations, and El Pais to enrich your vocabulary while reading up on trending topics, current affairs and popular culture. Unlike mobile sites, these radio-streaming and content apps are perfectly adapted to your particular smartphone platform and therefore supply an optimized interface. You don’t have to sort through several web pages to get where you want — in one click, you can stream the radio station of your choice, as effortlessly as if you were flipping channels on the highway in Spain. And in one click, you can read news articles in a format carefully tailored to your smartphone screen.

The rapidity of speech may be intimidating at first but if you undertake this exercise regularly, you’ll soon be amazed to find yourself deciphering fragments of conversations and recognizing the vocabulary words you have acquired.

There are hundreds of other interesting language apps out there but with these five alone, you can build a comprehensive and personalized program for foreign language acquisition. So how much time do you need to devote to this in order to see any tangible results?

Remember that we are not talking about fluency here (though multilingualism is a fantastic goal), but rather elementary communication in the context of international business. One school of thought makes the argument that you can get by in a foreign country with a lexicon of 100 words. With 100 words at your disposal, you are able to comprehend some of what is said around you, express your essential needs and ask basic questions. A pocketbook vocabulary of 100 words will allow you to order wine for your table at a company lunch, ask when your clothes will be dry-cleaned, inquire as to the best cup of coffee near your hotel and get directions to a local pharmacy.

And if you’re armed with 100 words, you’re less likely to be taken advantage of by that taxi driver who mistakes you for a novice and opts for the extra-long route to the hotel. Your ability to communicate in the local language, albeit on a rudimentary level, will place you in a different category of tourists or business travelers, one that is treated with more respect. You will also derive more satisfaction from mundane tasks like checking out of your hotel, since everyday interactions such as these become opportunities to practice your newfound vocabulary in context.

So next time you’re on the road-lugging around your suitcase, smoothing the wrinkles out of your suit, and struggling to get some shuteye — explore these apps for hours of distraction (even relaxation!) and acquire new language skills in the process. We’re sure that doing so will broaden your horizons and deepen your appreciation of the cultures with which you do business.



About the Author

Acclaro is a global translation and localization firm that helps the world’s leading brands succeed across cultures. Acclaro offers a full range of services for creating and maintaining multilingual marketing campaigns, websites, documents, software and much more. From Asia to Europe and the Americas, Acclaro gives clients a local voice in global markets.

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