- Speak JapanesePosted 13 years ago
- Learn JapanesePosted 13 years ago
- Japanese OnlinePosted 13 years ago
- Why Learn Japanese Part 2Posted 13 years ago
Japanese Online
Japanese online has become big business. But there is so much junk online these days, it’s hard to wade through it all and find sites worthwhile. Before getting to that, we need to decide just what the term “Japanese online” means to you. Does it mean, sites where you can learn Japanese? If so, I’ll have a list with some links later in this article. But maybe it means you want to take an official course online. Again, more on that in a moment.
For some, though the term “Japanese online” refers not to the language called Japanese, but to the people…in other words, Japanese people online. This is certainly a popular thing nowadays with the ever-growing interest in Japanese manga (comic books) and anime (the cartoon animation of manga). So here is a list of popular Japanese language sites where you can find other Japanese speakers with the same interests as you. Make new friends, or just practice your Japanese:
Here, now, is a short list of very useful sites online for learning about Japanese. This is one of my favorites:
http://web.mit.edu/jpnet/articles/JapaneseLanguage.html
There are no fancy graphics….no graphics at all, actually, It’s probably an ancient (by internet standards) site, and typical of University sites. All it cares about is accurate information, not splashy and distracting ads and graphics. But if you truly have a desire to learn Japanese, take the time to read the articles there. It is a wealth of information. Hey, it’s written by someone from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, so you better believe it’s accurate and informative!
And here is another fascinating set of articles on Japanese.
http://wsu.edu/~dee/ANCJAPAN/LANGUAGE.HTM
Again, no graphics, just information, this time from Washington State University.
Okay, okay…you’re bored with all text sites and want some graphics? Fine! 
Here is another University site — this one is New York’s Columbia University — with another great site on the Japanese language. Check it out:
http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/japan/japanworkbook/language/lsp.htm
So, what about actual online courses? Unfortunately, aside from “distance learning” courses taught via certain online universities, there don’t seem to be any superior online courses per se. Nothing of any great depth, at least, though I’ve run across some less-serious ones not worth mentioning. But there is hope! I have heard consistent rumors of a new course being built from the ground up by one of the major new players in online language teaching. Nothing concrete to share now, but feel free to check in towards the end of this year (2010).
Finally, for those searching “Japanese online: to hook up with Japanese people in a Japanese online environment, try these three cool sites:
For social media, blogging, and making friends, go here:
This next site is for video sharing, a kinda of Japanese you-tube:
And finally, this wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Japan’s Facebook:
Enjoy!
/p
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