5 Japanese Software Immersion Programs to Learn in a Flash
A Japanese software immersion program is just what you need to learn Japanese at home in a flash.
These unsung heroes take many forms: they may be downloadable software, online Japanese courses or good old-fashioned purchasable discs.
But what they all have in common is that they are boss at helping you learn Japanese grammar and vocabulary.
Contents
- Why Use Japanese Software Immersion Programs?
- How to Use Japanese Software Immersion Programs
- FluentU
- Mango Languages
- Rocket Japanese
- Human Japanese
- Clozemaster
Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
Why Use Japanese Software Immersion Programs?
Japanese software immersion programs can give you a realistic experience with the Japanese language.
Learning Japanese online or through conventional software gives you access to authentic media, realistic conversations and much more. This familiarizes you with the language as it is actually used, giving you real-world skills.
Additionally, the repetition of immersion software can help you feel more comfortable with the language. Whether you are taking beginner or advanced Japanese lessons, exposure is key.
Since fimmersion often focuses on frequent and repeated exposure, you will be surrounded by the language, allowing you to soak it up naturally.
Immersion programs are also extremely convenient: You can usually use them on your computer or favorite device, which means you can learn whenever and wherever you have a few minutes. This makes it easy to study more often since your learning tools are nearly always on hand.
How to Use Japanese Software Immersion Programs
How exactly do you use an immersion program to learn Japanese? Here are three tips for learning the most from these useful programs!
- Consider using multiple programs. Each type of software has different material, features, activities and perspectives.
Using more than one program can help you see the Japanese language in a wider array of contexts, making your education more well-rounded.
- Use the software daily. Studying Japanese daily will help prevent backsliding, allowing you to progress faster than if you take time off between study sessions.
Plus, if you study every day, it becomes a habit and you are less likely to forget to do it.
- Vary your activities. Many programs use several types of learning methods. For instance, FluentU offers videos that you can pick and choose on your own. However, it also has organized Japanese lessons that take you through the material in a more structured order.
Be sure to try all the different options offered by each program rather than focusing on just one aspect.
Now that you know how to use them, here is the breakdown on five of the best Japanese software immersion programs!
FluentU
When you want to immerse yourself in Japanese but are also a sucker for a good time, FluentU can hook you up.
It naturally and gradually eases you into learning Japanese language and culture. You’ll learn real Japanese as it’s spoken in real life.
Just take a look at the wide variety of authentic video content available in the program. Here’s a small sample:
You’ll discover tons of new Japanese vocabulary through these great clips.
Don’t worry about your skill level being an issue when it comes to understanding the language. FluentU makes native Japanese videos approachable through interactive transcripts.
Tap on any word to look it up instantly.
You’ll see definitions, in-context usage examples and helpful illustrations. Simply tap “add” to send interesting vocabulary words to your personal vocab list for later review.
FluentU even uses a learning program which adapts to your specific needs to turn every video into a language learning lesson and get you to actively practice your newly-learned language skills.
Access FluentU on the website to use it with your computer or tablet or, better yet, start learning Japanese on the go with the FluentU app for iOS or Android!
Mango Languages
Mango Languages offers a Japanese course developed by linguists and native Japanese-speaking instructors.
The material is broken down into bite-sized lessons that aim to improve language skills and cultural understanding. This makes it easy to fit learning Japanese into your schedule, whether you have an hour to study each day or only a couple of minutes.
Mango Languages offers a number of useful, interactive features, including dialogues, grammar lessons and cultural notes.
One of the most immersive aspects of this particular Japanese software immersion program is that it encourages you to speak as well as listen. You will frequently have the opportunity to record yourself saying words and phrases and compare your pronunciation to that of a native speaker.
You can even see how the wavelengths line up—a pretty useful tool for nailing the unique rise and fall of each word.
The Japanese course features four units, appropriate for beginner through intermediate students. Each unit has 10 chapters, which are broken down even further into short lessons.
You can use Mango Languages on your computer as well as Android and iOS devices.
Rocket Japanese
Rocket Japanese is not just one software immersion course. Instead, it offers four distinct options that you can use on your iOS or Android device or on a computer.
One course is available for free and offers helpful lessons to teach you basic grammar and vocabulary rules.
The other three courses are paid and targeted at different levels of learning. These courses are much more immersive, featuring a variety of great learning activities.
Courses come with interactive audio lessons that you can use hands-free, perfect for your commute or when you are getting ready in the morning.
Language and cultural lessons help you improve your language skills as you learn more about Japanese culture. Use flashcards to memorize key vocabulary, then test yourself with quizzes to see how much you have learned.
There is also audio practice that enables you to compare your pronunciation to that of a tutor.
Search for the first level for purchase from Amazon.
Human Japanese
While Human Japanese might not be one of the big names in language education, it certainly has a lot to offer beginner and intermediate Japanese students.
This Japanese software immersion program describes itself as “sensei-in-a-box,” and what Japanese student doesn’t need that?
Lessons focus on breaking down information in a friendly manner while making comparisons to English to help you better understand key concepts.
The program begins completely from scratch, starting from correct Japanese pronunciation and other basics. It then builds on your learning to create more complex sentences, learn more difficult vocabulary and learn key grammar points.
Over 40 chapters and 1,800 audio recordings help guide you through the levels of learning.
There are plenty of examples throughout the lessons, as well as easy-to-understand sentence breakdowns. End-of-chapter reviews test your learning in a fun, engaging way.
Human Japanese can even help you learn the writing system (including kanji) using animations and quizzes.
Clozemaster
On the surface, Clozemaster may seem like a simple quiz, but if you look carefully, you will see that it packs an immersive punch.
To get the most out of Clozemaster, you will need to know common Japanese characters. It is also best to start an account since this will have the program focus on the most common words first and track your progress.
Clozemaster works like a quiz: While studying vocabulary, you can choose a multiple-choice or text-input quiz. When you get a question wrong, rest assured that you will see it again. You can also listen to phrases to improve your listening skills and pronunciation.
Already understand something? Check it off and you will not see it again. With over 32,000 words in the database, there is plenty of material to study and the repetition it provides offers easy immersion.
Clozemaster is free for studying vocabulary and requires no download, so it is a great program if you are hoping to supplement other Japanese software immersion program. For a fee, it can also help you improve your listening and speaking skills.
Try out these Japanese software immersion programs to learn Japanese at home before the clock ticks down to zero.
Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)
