What are the benefits of learning Japanese? Disadvantages and precautions are also explained.

 

"I'm interested in learning Japanese, but what are the benefits?"
"What are the points to be careful about when learning Japanese?"
"I want to study Japanese to enjoy anime more. Is it better to study at school? Is it difficult to study on my own?"

More and more people are interested in learning Japanese to enjoy anime and manga in the original language, and more businessmen are studying Japanese in order to get a job at a Japanese company. In addition, the number of tourists visiting Japan is increasing, and among them, more and more people want to enjoy their trips more by learning Japanese. In this article, Eri-san from JPLT Online Japanese Language School will delve into the benefits, disadvantages, and important considerations of learning Japanese.

■ 5 benefits of learning Japanese

1. Expanding Business Opportunities:

Many global companies are focusing on the Japanese market. Learning Japanese allows you to communicate directly with Japanese companies and expands your business opportunities. It also increases your chances of working for a Japanese company.

2. Deepening Cultural Understanding:

Japan has a rich culture and is popular around the world for its anime, manga, movies, music, traditional arts and cuisine. Learning Japanese allows you to understand and enjoy these cultures more deeply. Exposure to local culture and customs deepens your understanding of other cultures.

3. Convenience in Travel and Interaction:

Japan is also a very attractive tourist destination, and many tourists visit. Learning Japanese makes traveling in the country smoother and deepens your interactions with local people. You can experience the local culture and tourist sites more deeply.

4. Access to Knowledge and Information:

Understanding Japanese gives you access to a lot of knowledge and information that is not translated into English. For example, you will be able to read Japanese research papers, books, news, etc. in the original text.

5. Improving Cognitive Abilities:

Learning a new language has the effect of activating the brain and improving cognitive ability. In particular, Japanese has three writing systems: kanji, hiragana, and katakana, and it is said that learning them activates different parts of the brain.

■Disadvantages of learning Japanese

1. Difficulty and Time-consuming Nature of Learning:

Specific examples:

Mastery of Kanji:

Japanese has thousands of kanji, and it takes a lot of time to remember how to read and what each one means. In addition, the same kanji can have multiple readings, which can be confusing.

Complexity of Grammar:

Japanese grammar is very different from English and other European languages, and there are many rules to learn, such as how to use honorific language and word order. Honorific language in particular is difficult to use, as it must be used differently depending on social status and relationships.

2. Limited Opportunities for Practice:

Specific examples:

Interaction with Native Speakers:

In countries and regions where there are few opportunities to speak Japanese, there are limited opportunities to actually use Japanese. This makes it difficult to practice speaking and listening, which are important in language acquisition.

Understanding Cultural Background:

In addition to learning Japanese, you need to understand Japanese culture and customs. If you have few opportunities to actually experience this, your understanding of not only the language but also the cultural aspects may be delayed.  

3. Limited Availability of Teaching Materials and Resources:

Specific examples:

Varied Quality of Teaching Materials:

There is a wide variety of teaching materials for learning Japanese, but their quality varies greatly. It can be difficult to find suitable teaching materials.

Limited Access:

In certain regions and countries, Japanese language teaching materials and learning resources may be limited. It is difficult to create an effective learning environment, especially in rural areas or areas with limited internet access.  

■ Five Points to Note When Learning Japanese

1. Balanced Learning Approach

Specific examples:

Learning all four skills:

When learning Japanese, it is important to learn the four skills of reading, writing, speaking, and listening in a balanced manner. For example, by practicing writing and reading kanji while also practicing speaking and listening, you can acquire comprehensive language skills.

Diverse Learning Materials:

It is effective to use a variety of materials, such as textbooks, online resources, apps, movies, and music, rather than relying on one type of material.  

2. Regular Review

Specific Examples:

Schedule Management:

It is important to set aside time to not only learn new content, but also to review it regularly. For example, setting a review day once a week will help you to remember what you have previously learned.

Use of Flashcards:

It is effective to make flash cards of the words and phrases you have learned and review them regularly.

3. Increase Opportunities to Practice

Specific Examples:

Conversation Practice:

Actively create opportunities to speak Japanese. Joining an online language exchange partner or a Japanese conversation club is a good way to do this.

Interaction with Japanese People:

Making Japanese friends and participating in Japanese cultural events will increase opportunities for real conversation.

4. Maintaining Continuation and Motivation

Specific Examples:

Goal Setting:

Setting short-term and long-term learning goals helps maintain motivation. For example, aiming to pass the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) is one way to stay motivated.

Learning Topics of Interest:

Using Japanese language learning materials and content related to topics or hobbies that interest you will make learning more fun and easier to continue.

5.Understanding Cultural Background:

Specific examples:

Learning about Culture:

Japanese is deeply connected to culture, so learning about Japanese culture and customs will deepen your understanding of the language. For example, it is a good idea to research traditional Japanese events and food culture.

Learning Honorific Language:

Japanese has a complex honorific system, and it is important to learn how to use it according to the situation. Using honorific language appropriately will enable smoother communication.  

■ Summary

There are many benefits to learning Japanese! Be aware of the points to note and get started! There are many benefits to learning Japanese. The main benefits are expanded business opportunities, deeper cultural understanding, convenience of travel, access to knowledge and information, and improved cognitive ability. In particular, Japan is an economic powerhouse, and many global companies are focusing on the Japanese market. Learning Japanese will make it easier to communicate with these companies. On the other hand, there are also disadvantages to learning Japanese. These include the difficulty and time required for learning, the lack of opportunities to practice, and the limited availability of teaching materials and resources. In particular, learning kanji and the complexity of grammar can be barriers to learning. In order to learn effectively, it is important to study in a balanced manner, review regularly, increase opportunities to practice, maintain continuity and motivation, and understand the cultural background. For example, learning in a balanced manner of the four skills, reviewing regularly, and actually interacting with Japanese people will increase the effectiveness of your learning. By keeping these points in mind while studying, you can learn Japanese effectively and enjoy various benefits. At JPLT Japanese Online Japanese Language School, an online Japanese language school, we teach many Japanese language learners every day. Why not give it a try?