Learning Japanese

This is to all of the people who know it, or at least a good amount about the language, so here's a question:

What should you learn first? The alphabet? The language (ie: words, speech, etc). What's the best order to learn things in order to speak somewhat fluently? I'm interested in reading/writing, but I can seem to find an approach that keeps me going. I always end up learning simple phrases and such. Granted, it's enough to get me by if I were in a Japanese supermarket, but I want more than that and everything I've tried doesn't really work all that well.

Keep in mind, I don't have anybody else around me that speaks Japanese, so I can't work off of them. I'm just interested in how you would approach full-on learning it, working with speaking and writing. Books? Websites? CDs?

<small>[ March 24, 2003, 11:38 PM: Message edited by: SonGohan ]</small>

I'd buy the Pimmsleur CDs and go through those. That will get you the elementary level in a month if you're diligent.

Then learn the writing.

Just like your first language. Learn to speak, then learn to write.

The three alphabets are shit easy to memorize. Or at least they were for me. Japanese was probably my easiest class in college. Got As every semester. They made us learn to write at the same time as speak though. I just believe more in the Pimmsleur approach to language learning.

Is this what you're talking about? - <a href="http://www.audiobooksonline.com/shopsite/0671315889.html" target="_blank">http://www.audiobooksonline.com/shopsite/0671315889.html</a>

I've listened to the first lesson or 2 from Pimsleur. They are quite good from what I have heard.

I'm down with the Pimp slur collection.
They had me wearing a bright blue coat and a glittery gold hat in days, and I am still sporting it in thizang like dizamn.

No cat can contend with the pimp slur L3G3ND

<img src="http://www.villagehatshop.com/media/pimp-daddy-purle-sm.gif" alt=" - " />

SonGohan:

Keep in mind, I don't have anybody else around me that speaks Japanese, so I can't work off of them. I'm just interested in how you would approach full-on learning it, working with speaking and writing. Books? Websites? CDs?

Click to expand...

I tried goofing around with books and tapes for a few years. I'm sure you know the problem with staying motivated for more than short stints, but there's also the problem that once you try to talk to someone having taken this approach, it's like, "what the f*ck do I say?"

You can't think of words, you can't keep up, you pronounce stuff funny, you use the wrong particles, and you say stuff that just doesn't make sense.

Not to be doom and gloom, but tapes probably won't do it for you if you really want to converse with Japanese speaking people. You *need* to speak with them. You need constant, varied practice in every day situations. And you need someone who can correct you.

I've gotta recommend searching out a class that forces you to speak Japanese with Japanese people. Be it community ed, at a local college - whatever - do it. It's still not enough, IMO, because even classes are limited in what they can teach you and the practice they provide, but if you aren't even able get that much...

That's not to say that you should give up on tapes or books, just don't expect too much out of them. If you're looking for more than basic understanding, you need Japanese people to talk to.

I'm in 102 at school. Last semester we did mostly dialogue and though we were introduced to the writing we weren't really tested on it till this semester. I'm actually having a little trouble with the writing but it's really just a matter of putting the time into it.

Charlie is that audio deal your talking about available on cd? I'd love to have it to listen to on my long drive to school.