12 Free Tools I'd Use to Learn Japanese (If I Could Start Over)

Summary

This video script introduces a variety of free tools to aid in learning Japanese, including resources for mastering hiragana and katakana, vocabulary, grammar, kanji, and reading practice. It also highlights platforms for listening and pronunciation practice, and suggests two paid tools, Netflix and Nintendo Switch, which can be repurposed for language learning. The video promises to reveal lesser-known gems and encourages viewers to share their own favorite tools in the comments.

Takeaways

• 📚 Start learning Japanese with the phonetic scripts Hiragana and Katakana, using the Tofugu blog post as a guide.
• 🔍 Use gshow.org for a dictionary on PC and the 'Japanese' app on Android or iOS for English to Japanese definitions, utilizing the list tool for vocabulary tracking.
• 📚 For advanced learners, consider using a Japanese to Japanese dictionary like the Weblio app, though it lacks offline capabilities.
• 📚 Anki is a powerful flashcard app that uses spaced repetition to help with vocabulary retention, with many community-created decks available.
• 📚 Memorize is an alternative flashcard website with leaderboards and mnemonics, though it lacks example sentences.
• 📚 Utilize YouTube for grammar lessons, specifically the Genki and quartet textbooks, with free content available on the recommended channel.
• 📚 Kanji learning can be aided by 'Remembering the Kanji' book and Anki decks, but free resources are limited.
• 📚 Tadoko offers free graded readers and stories with audio narration, a great resource for reading practice.
• 📚 Yomo is a platform for reading ongoing novels by Japanese authors, which can be combined with the Yomichan browser add-on for instant vocabulary lookup.
• 🎮 NovelGame.jp provides visual novels and reading-heavy games, some free, for additional reading practice.
• 🎧 Uglish.com is a valuable tool for listening practice with videos and transcripts, allowing for real-world language exposure and shadowing.
• 📺 Netflix and the Nintendo Switch can be repurposed for Japanese language learning with Japanese audio and subtitles, providing immersive media experiences.

Q & A

What are the two Japanese phonetic scripts mentioned in the script?

The two Japanese phonetic scripts mentioned are Hiragana and Katakana.

Which website is recommended for learning Hiragana and Katakana according to the script?

The script recommends the tofugu blog post for learning Hiragana and Katakana.

What are the two tools suggested for Japanese vocabulary learning?

The two tools suggested for Japanese vocabulary learning are Anki and Memorize.

What dictionary is recommended for Japanese to English definitions on PC?

The recommended dictionary for Japanese to English definitions on PC is gshow.org.

Which app is suggested for Japanese to Japanese dictionary purposes?

The app suggested for Japanese to Japanese dictionary purposes is Weblio.

What is Anki known for in the context of language learning?

Anki is known as the grandfather of flashcard apps, which shows review cards to users when they are theoretically about to forget the information.

What feature of Anki is particularly useful for vocabulary learning?

The feature of Anki that is particularly useful for vocabulary learning is the availability of hundreds of free shared decks created by the community, including audio and example sentences.

What is the main advantage of using a Japanese to Japanese dictionary like Weblio?

The main advantage of using a Japanese to Japanese dictionary like Weblio is that it helps in understanding the language in its native context, although it's not an offline dictionary.

What is the recommended method for learning Kanji according to the script?

The script recommends using the book 'Remembering the Kanji' by James Heisig combined with an Anki deck for learning Kanji.

What are the three tools mentioned for Japanese reading practice?

The three tools mentioned for Japanese reading practice are Tadoku, Yomo, and Novelgame.jp.

What is the recommended tool for listening and pronunciation practice in Japanese?

The recommended tool for listening and pronunciation practice in Japanese is uglish.com Japanese.

Which two paid tools that one might already have are mentioned in the script?

The two paid tools mentioned are Netflix and Nintendo Switch.

How can one access more Japanese content on Netflix using a VPN?

By using a VPN service and connecting to a server in Japan, one can access more series in Japanese with Japanese subtitles.

What is the purpose of the browser add-on Yomichan when reading Japanese novels on Yomo?

Yomichan allows users to shift-click on a word to see its reading and meaning instantly, and even create Anki cards for further study.

What is the advantage of using the uglish.com Japanese tool for listening practice?

Uglish.com Japanese allows users to search for a word or grammar point and see videos where it is used, with transcripts for reading along and word definitions.