Whatever your definition of fluency is, I’ve got 15 tried-and-tested ways to help you get closer to your<\/em> Japanese fluency goal.<\/p>\n [fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I know, I know: traditional study methods can be boring. But there are plenty of reasons textbooks designed for classroom learning still exist in the internet age.<\/p>\n By diving into Japanese textbooks<\/a> written and thoroughly vetted by experts, you’re ensuring that you have a solid foundation to build your language skills on.<\/p>\n These textbooks should cover the basics like grammar<\/a>, situationally appropriate language<\/a>, clear examples and practice exercises.<\/p>\n Some of the websites I recommend include:<\/p>\n If you want to see written Japanese in action on the World Wide Web, you can also visit blogs in Japanese<\/a> that fit your interests.<\/p>\n Speaking of written Japanese in action, what better way to keep your Japanese reading skills<\/a> sharp than flipping through a virtual newspaper?<\/p>\n If you think you’re up for reading real <\/em>Japanese news, you can head over to places like Asahi Shinbun<\/em><\/a> and The Huffington Post<\/em> JP<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n Want to talk about the latest Japan-related topics but aren’t sure if your skills are up to snuff? NHK’s News Web Easy<\/a> features news tidbits that have furigana accompanying the kanji, pop-up Japanese definitions that show up when you hover your cursor over the underlined words and an audio version of the article read in a slower-than-normal speed.\u00a0<\/p>\n No matter your level, there are plenty of ways to learn Japanese through the news<\/a>!<\/p>\n Reading manga in the original Japanese is another fantastic\u2014and entertaining!\u2014way to learn the language<\/a>. You can try to start with classics like “Bleach”<\/a> and “Naruto”<\/a> for familiarity’s sake, but if you’re still an absolute beginner, I suggest aiming a little lower (at least, for now).<\/p>\n If you’re looking for manga specifically aimed at learners, there’s “Mangajin’s Basic Japanese Through Comics.”<\/a> Note that this isn’t intended as a standalone learning resource (and it shouldn’t be!), but rather as a supplement to formal instruction.\u00a0<\/p>\n If a non-learner manga is more your cup of tea, give “Yotsuba&”<\/a> a try. It’s a cute slice-of-life work about the adventures (and misadventures) of the eponymous little girl. Make sure your sugar intake is at a healthy level, because this one is packed with sweetness!<\/p>\n Many Japanese novels are already available in English\u2014which is fine for most people, but not-so-fine for serious language learners. If this is a learning resource you want to sink your teeth into, I suggest getting into easy Japanese novels<\/a> first before diving into Haruki Murakami’s works in their original language.<\/p>\n On the other hand, those who are up for a challenge can try to get into classic Japanese literature<\/a>. But be forewarned: like Shakespeare’s works, many of these use archaic language that even modern native speakers may find difficult to decode!<\/p>\n Of course, studying only written Japanese won’t get you far past the elementary level. You also need to know how to comprehend oral material.<\/p>\n Luckily, there are many podcasts online that can help you get a feel for natural conversations between native speakers. You can choose between Japanese podcasts aimed at language learners<\/a> or podcasts that native speakers listen to like these Japan Podcast Award winners<\/a>.<\/p>\n If the relatively narrow focus of most podcasts isn’t your jam, Japanese radio might whet your appetite instead.<\/p>\n For example, Surfmusic<\/a> offers lots of Japanese radio stations you can tune in to no matter where you are in the world. And if you’re looking for specific recommendations, here’s a good list<\/a> to start with.<\/p>\n Like manga, Japanese music immerses you in the language without making you feel like you’re in a structured study environment. You can bob your head to catchy tunes and try to decipher the lyrics you hear at the same time!<\/p>\n Start with easy karaoke songs<\/a> before moving on to more challenging material like rap lyrics. In case you want to follow along with the lyrics using written text, go to Uta-Net<\/a>, look up the song title in Japanese there and print out the lyrics for your review sessions.<\/p>\n If you’re in Japan, try to watch as much Japanese TV as you can. Even if you don’t understand most of it, it’s still excellent practice for your ears as well as eyes.<\/p>\n If you’re not in Japan, don’t fret! You can also tune in to the many places to watch Japanese TV online<\/a> and choose between these shows<\/a> that won’t leave language learners in the dust.<\/p>\n And yes, anime<\/a> counts as Japanese TV, so if that’s more up your alley, no problem! Learning a language should be enjoyable, after all.<\/p>\n Most TV episodes last for half an hour or so. If you don’t have that much time to squeeze into your hectic day, you can play a few videos from these YouTube channels<\/a> and get in a handful of minutes of extra listening practice.<\/p>\n Another option is the language learning program FluentU<\/a>.<\/p>\n FluentU<\/strong> takes authentic videos\u2014like music videos, movie trailers, news and inspiring talks\u2014and turns them into personalized language learning lessons.<\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n You can try FluentU for free for 2 weeks. Check out the website or download the iOS app<\/a> or Android app.<\/a><\/p>\r\n P.S. Click here to take advantage of our current sale! (Expires at the end of this month.)<\/a><\/i>\r\n<\/p>\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n 1. Grab a Japanese textbook (or two)<\/h2>\n
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2. Visit a website or blog for Japanese learners<\/h2>\n
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3. Stay abreast of the news<\/h2>\n
4. Leaf through manga suited to your level<\/h2>\n
5. Enjoy some Japanese novels<\/h2>\n
6. Listen to podcasts<\/h2>\n
7. Tune in to the radio<\/h2>\n
8. Add Japanese music to your playlist<\/h2>\n
9. Watch TV<\/h2>\n
10. Queue up a few videos on YouTube (or elsewhere)<\/h2>\n
![\"FluentU](\"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/site\/\/6\/NativeAd-Japanese.jpg\")
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