Best Learning Methods?

[Sutiiven]

Where do you find one of them dictionaries i have looked in book stores and they dont have them

[Cyclamen]

I don't know if there's a *best* method, since every person has different learning skills. But there's one thing that is true for anybody: to learn a foregin language you have to put a lot of effort in it. There's no way you can learn a language in just a couple of hours. It's a process that requires time and dedication.

my advice is to watch a lot anime and drama which you can hear properly what they are saying and try to figure out the word.. it's kinda fun if you know what I 'm saying.. hehehe..

I don't think it works. You should hear spoken japanese only after you've learned the proper grammar, not otherwise!!!
First start with a grammar book and *learn* it. Then watch anime, dorama and listen to spoken japanese.

[Sutiiven]

ok well early the cd i mentioned with that as well because you learn your basic stuff as well and it has actual japanese voices in it for when you want to hear how it is said and you can record it while going through them each time and have conversations .

[danslak]

Originally Posted by akiko0201

I'm trying really heard to learn Japanese on my own, and I was wondering if those who are already familiar with it could advise me on exactly how to do that. So far I know a few basic sentences, words, and grammar rules, as well as about two dozen hiragana...but that's it.
:P
Also, are there any good sites that provide lessons and tests of varying difficulty? That might help me to memorize...

I'm completely self taught. I started on YesJapan.com Lesson plans range from 15 bucks a month to $30. Every word has a sound file (incredibly important!). It gradually introduces kana and kanji. If you get stuck there is also "ask a teacher". They usually get back to you within 24 hours. And also gets into how friends actually talk to one another (PL2 speech). The vast majority of text books stick to PL3 speech. It's worth every penny! Good luck!

[anrakushi]

i would say many text books get into conversational speech but you are not going to find them doing so in the beginner level. you need to know conversational speech, it is very important, so of course text books do teach you this.

[danslak]

Originally Posted by anrakushi

i would say many text books get into conversational speech but you are not going to find them doing so in the beginner level. you need to know conversational speech, it is very important, so of course text books do teach you this.

Despite looking high and low, I never found one that did, but that was years ago. Maybe times have changed.

[anrakushi]

strange.. all intermediate books i have use a lot of conversational japanese. mind you they contain little english in them. they won't teach you slangs etc, that is for you to pick up in usage.

[Nisseki]

i am having trouble finding a teacher. once i get into high school i can take classes in a university but until then my parents are just going to buy me software...

[GoodAnime]

I am self-teaching myself some Japanese, too. At least, some basic ones just to understand a little bit when/if I ever visit Japan, meet someone who is Japanese/listen to Japanese convos, etc. Things like that. A site I use reference a lot is GenkiJapan.net. It really helps a lot if you are a beginner. The person in charge of the site replies kinda fast if you have any questions. He's quite good. :] I am still a beginner, so I need a few advice tips, too.

My methods of learning is by reviewing over my Japanese notes for a long, long time (At least 20 minutes a day or something) until I can get them by memory; review my pocket Japanese phrases book, and basically use some Japanese words to describe stuff, like I would say to myself, "Today is Nichi Youbi (Sunday)." And I know it's kinda odd to use English + Japanese word in a sentence. XD I don't know how to say "Today is. . ." yet. :S

Okay, enough of this explaining stuff. Does anyone have any more advice? I need help with the grammar. I only know simple words and numbers, months, days, etc. It would help a lot for any tips.

[Nathan]

Originally Posted by GoodAnime

"Today is Nichi Youbi (Sunday)." And I know it's kinda odd to use English + Japanese word in a sentence. XD I don't know how to say "Today is. . ." yet. :S

今日は日曜日　(kyou wa nichiyoubi)

I really don't know what advice to give that hasn't been already given. I learned my grammar from textbooks.