During my research, I found different ways to learn Japanese. First, I participated in a Language Exchange through the App “Meet-Up”. This is an easy way to get into contact with different people. It is also a nice combination of learning some Japanese and getting to know new people.
I was told by a friend that there is a Japanese learning group in Kobe. University students offer 90-minutes session for 500Yen, several times per week. You can decide between either plain communication, learning grammar or a combination of both. In addition to the Meet-Up experience, I met new people, especially locals. Whereas, within the Meet-up group, we learned through games, the learning group in Kobe focused especially on you and on your abilities.
Japanese Pod 101
I was very surprised by the wide offerings of Japanese Pod 101. There, you have the opportunity to use all the premium features through a special introductory offer (1 month/€1). In the beginning, you choose your level and through this you are choosing the courses you want to join. Within one course are many chapters, which contain an audio-guide, a line-by-line function and, more importantly, the lesson notes. The chapters follow the same pattern: first, you’ll hear a short introduction by an English speaking male and Japanese female. After that introduction, the main conversation, which proceeds from chapter to chapter, starts. First, you’ll hear it at a normal conversation speed, then a second time played in slow motion, and lastly a third time with an English translation is added. Every chapter contains a new grammar pattern. After the conversation, the two people from the beginning take over again and go through the usage of the vocabulary used in the conversation, adding example sentences. Especially reading through the lesson notes during the audio or even after, helps a lot! Apart from the already mentioned courses, you can measure your skills through tests, or as a visual learner, work with video material.
International Community Center
Kobe International Community Center, or KICC, offers a Japanese course for people who are able to participate at least for 6 months. Furthermore, calligraphy courses, as well as flower arrangement are offered.
Because of moving to Osaka, I had to look for another learning group. Through continuous research, I found the following website: http://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/kyoiku/english/sisetu/japanese.html
On this website you find different courses, divided by city district. I was very lucky having a friend who got in contact with these learning institutions. This is the reason why I participated a course in Abeno. I was surprised by how many people actually participated in this big hall. Each participant was elected a volunteer. In my case, I was told that there was going to be a 2 months long class two times per week starting the next days in Umeda. Even though the application deadline was over a long time ago, they still managed to register me. On my first day of class, I had to do a short interview, telling them my level of proficiency. At the same time, they emphasized that this class was going to be a beginner’s level course. All in all, I didn’t learn too many new things. However, I was able to refresh and strengthen my knowledge, for which I’m really happy to have participated in the course. Not to mention, the fee was only 1000Yen which was for the books!
I was told by a friend that there is a Japanese learning group in Kobe. University students offer 90-minutes session for 500Yen, several times per week. You can decide between either plain communication, learning grammar or a combination of both. In addition to the Meet-Up experience, I met new people, especially locals. Whereas, within the Meet-up group, we learned through games, the learning group in Kobe focused especially on you and on your abilities.
Japanese Pod 101
I was very surprised by the wide offerings of Japanese Pod 101. There, you have the opportunity to use all the premium features through a special introductory offer (1 month/€1). In the beginning, you choose your level and through this you are choosing the courses you want to join. Within one course are many chapters, which contain an audio-guide, a line-by-line function and, more importantly, the lesson notes. The chapters follow the same pattern: first, you’ll hear a short introduction by an English speaking male and Japanese female. After that introduction, the main conversation, which proceeds from chapter to chapter, starts. First, you’ll hear it at a normal conversation speed, then a second time played in slow motion, and lastly a third time with an English translation is added. Every chapter contains a new grammar pattern. After the conversation, the two people from the beginning take over again and go through the usage of the vocabulary used in the conversation, adding example sentences. Especially reading through the lesson notes during the audio or even after, helps a lot! Apart from the already mentioned courses, you can measure your skills through tests, or as a visual learner, work with video material.
International Community Center
Kobe International Community Center, or KICC, offers a Japanese course for people who are able to participate at least for 6 months. Furthermore, calligraphy courses, as well as flower arrangement are offered.
Because of moving to Osaka, I had to look for another learning group. Through continuous research, I found the following website: http://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/contents/wdu020/kyoiku/english/sisetu/japanese.html
On this website you find different courses, divided by city district. I was very lucky having a friend who got in contact with these learning institutions. This is the reason why I participated a course in Abeno. I was surprised by how many people actually participated in this big hall. Each participant was elected a volunteer. In my case, I was told that there was going to be a 2 months long class two times per week starting the next days in Umeda. Even though the application deadline was over a long time ago, they still managed to register me. On my first day of class, I had to do a short interview, telling them my level of proficiency. At the same time, they emphasized that this class was going to be a beginner’s level course. All in all, I didn’t learn too many new things. However, I was able to refresh and strengthen my knowledge, for which I’m really happy to have participated in the course. Not to mention, the fee was only 1000Yen which was for the books!
