Study Japanese: A Practical Guide for Adult Learners
Learning Japanese can seem challenging when you’re starting out. There are new sounds, different sentence structures and eventually three writing systems to understand.
But you don’t need to learn everything at once.
At Nunawading Japanese School, we’ve been teaching Japanese to adult learners in Melbourne since 2013. One thing we’ve learned is that students make better progress when Japanese is introduced gradually, practised regularly and actually used in conversation.
Whether you’re thinking about learning Japanese for travel, family, work, living in Japan or simply because you love Japan, this guide explains what you can expect when you begin studying the Japanese language.
Is Japanese Difficult to Learn?
Japanese is very different from English, but that doesn’t mean beginners should be intimidated by it.
At the beginning, students usually need time to adjust to Japanese sentence structure and the way information is organised. As patterns become familiar, things that initially seemed unusual begin to make much more sense.
You also don’t need to know hundreds of kanji or be able to read Japanese before you start speaking.
We believe Japanese is best learned step-by-step, with new grammar and vocabulary building on what you have already learned.
Consistency is much more important than trying to learn everything quickly.
What Should You Learn First in Japanese?
Complete beginners should start by developing a strong foundation in basic sentence structure, vocabulary, listening and speaking.
Rather than memorising hundreds of disconnected Japanese words, it’s important to learn how words work together to communicate meaning.
Early Japanese study should gradually introduce:
- Basic Japanese sentence structure
- Common vocabulary
- Questions and answers
- Particles and basic grammar
- Numbers, time and everyday expressions
- Hiragana
- Listening and pronunciation
- Simple conversation
As your knowledge grows, katakana, kanji and more complex grammar can gradually be introduced.
This prevents students from becoming overwhelmed and creates a foundation for more advanced Japanese later.
Learning to Speak Japanese
Speaking should be part of learning Japanese from the beginning.
You don’t need to wait until you know hundreds of grammar patterns before attempting a conversation. Even complete beginners can start answering simple questions and combining vocabulary with grammar they have already learned.
At Nunawading Japanese School, speaking is an important part of our teaching approach.
As students progress, they continually reuse previously learned Japanese in new situations. This helps move vocabulary and grammar from something you simply recognise to something you can actually use.
Understanding Japanese Grammar
Japanese grammar works differently from English.
This is one reason we believe beginners benefit from understanding why a Japanese sentence works, rather than simply memorising phrases.
As you study Japanese, you’ll gradually learn how verbs, adjectives, particles and sentence patterns work together.
A structured learning pathway is particularly valuable here. New grammar becomes much easier to understand when it builds logically on structures you’ve already learned.
Don’t worry if a new grammar point doesn’t feel natural immediately. Seeing, hearing and using the same pattern repeatedly is an important part of language learning.
Learning Hiragana, Katakana and Kanji
Japanese uses hiragana, katakana and kanji, but beginners don’t need to master all three before they start learning the language.
Hiragana
Hiragana is generally the first Japanese writing system beginners learn. It provides an important foundation for reading Japanese and understanding how words are pronounced.
Katakana
Katakana is commonly used for foreign loanwords, names and other specific types of Japanese vocabulary.
Students often recognise more katakana words than they expect because many originate from English.
Kanji
Kanji is introduced progressively as students become more comfortable with Japanese.
Trying to memorise large numbers of kanji without context can be difficult. Learning kanji alongside vocabulary and Japanese you’ve already encountered gives the characters more meaning and makes them easier to remember.
Vocabulary: Learn Words You Can Actually Use
Building vocabulary is essential, but memorising long word lists isn’t enough.
You need opportunities to recall and use those words.
For example, knowing the Japanese word for a particular food is useful. Being able to use that vocabulary naturally when ordering, answering a question or describing what you like is considerably more valuable.
Regular revision, flashcards, listening exercises and conversation can all help move vocabulary into your long-term memory.
Our students continually revisit previously learned vocabulary throughout the course rather than simply learning it once and moving on.
Why Listening to Japanese Matters
Listening is sometimes overlooked by beginners who concentrate heavily on grammar and vocabulary.
Understanding spoken Japanese requires practice.
Someone may understand a sentence perfectly when reading it but struggle to recognise the same sentence when a Japanese speaker says it naturally.
Regular exposure helps your brain become familiar with Japanese pronunciation, rhythm and sentence patterns.
This is also why interacting with a teacher is valuable. You aren’t simply studying how Japanese looks on a page; you’re learning to understand Japanese when another person actually speaks to you.
How Often Should You Study Japanese?
You don’t necessarily need to study Japanese for hours every day.
Regular study is more important than occasional intensive study.
Attending a weekly Japanese class and reviewing what you’ve learned between lessons can create a sustainable routine for adult learners.
Even relatively short periods of revision can be useful when done consistently.
Review your vocabulary. Read previously learned sentences. Listen to Japanese. Complete your homework. Practise saying answers aloud.
The goal is to keep Japanese regularly active in your mind.
Classroom Learning, Private Tutoring or Online?
There isn’t one learning environment that suits everybody.
Group Japanese Classes
Group classes allow you to interact with different students, participate in conversations and learn from questions and mistakes made by other people.
If you’re looking for this option in Melbourne, learn more about our Japanese Classes in Melbourne.
Private Japanese Tutoring
Private lessons provide more individual attention and allow the lesson to move at your own pace.
Students who prefer one-to-one learning can read about our Private Japanese Tutoring.
Online Japanese Classes
Online learning gives students outside Melbourne the opportunity to participate in live Japanese lessons without travelling to our school.
For information specifically about remote learning, visit our Online Japanese Classes Australia page.
Common Mistakes When Learning Japanese
Trying to Learn Too Much Too Quickly
Learning more grammar isn’t necessarily the same as becoming better at Japanese.
Give yourself time to understand, practise and use what you’ve already learned.
Only Using Language Apps
Apps can be useful for revision and vocabulary, but learning Japanese requires more than recognising the correct answer on a screen.
Try to combine independent study with opportunities to listen, speak and receive feedback.
Being Afraid to Make Mistakes
You will make mistakes when learning Japanese.
That’s normal.
Waiting until your Japanese is perfect before speaking will limit one of the most important parts of the learning process: actually communicating.
Translating Everything Directly from English
Japanese doesn’t always express ideas in the same way as English.
As you progress, try to understand Japanese sentence patterns as Japanese rather than constantly trying to construct an English sentence and translate it word for word.
Studying but Not Reviewing
Learning something once doesn’t mean you’ll remember it.
Regularly revisiting vocabulary and grammar is an important part of making Japanese easier to recall when you actually need it.
How Long Does It Take to Learn Japanese?
There is no single amount of time it takes to learn Japanese.
Progress depends on your goals, consistency, previous language-learning experience, study outside class and what you consider to be a useful level of Japanese.
Someone wanting basic Japanese for travelling has a very different goal from someone wanting to work professionally in Japan.
Rather than concentrating on becoming “fluent” within a particular number of months, we recommend setting smaller goals.
Your first goal might be introducing yourself. Then understanding simple questions. Then having a short conversation. Then reading basic Japanese.
Those smaller achievements gradually build into much greater language ability.
Studying Japanese as an Adult
You are not too old to start learning Japanese.
Adult students bring many advantages to language learning. They can understand explanations, recognise patterns and connect new grammar with concepts they already understand.
Frequently Asked Questions About Studying Japanese
At Nunawading Japanese School, our courses are specifically designed for adult Japanese learners.
Our students learn Japanese for many different reasons, including holidays, relationships and family, work, future plans to live in Japan and simply having a genuine interest in Japanese language and culture.
The most important thing is starting at an appropriate level and finding a learning routine you can maintain.
Can I learn Japanese with no previous experience?
Yes. You can begin studying Japanese with no previous knowledge of the language. A structured beginner course should introduce speaking, listening, vocabulary, grammar and writing progressively.
Do I need to learn hiragana before starting Japanese classes?
No. Complete beginners don’t need to know hiragana before starting at Nunawading Japanese School. Hiragana is introduced as students progress through the beginner course.
Should I learn speaking or writing first?
You don’t need to choose between speaking and writing. A balanced Japanese course can gradually develop speaking, listening, reading and writing together.
Can adults learn Japanese?
Yes. Adults can successfully learn Japanese at any stage of life. Consistency, practice and finding an appropriate learning environment are more important than starting at a particular age.
Can I learn Japanese just using an app?
Apps can be useful study tools, but they don’t provide all aspects of learning a language. Speaking with other people, listening to natural responses and receiving feedback are important if your goal is practical communication.
Should I study Japanese before travelling to Japan?
Even basic Japanese can make travelling in Japan more rewarding. Being able to greet people, ask simple questions, understand basic responses and read some Japanese can make everyday interactions easier.
Ready to Start Studying Japanese?
If you’d like to turn independent Japanese study into a structured learning pathway, Nunawading Japanese School offers several options for adult learners.
Melbourne students:
Explore our Japanese Classes Melbourne page for onsite adult group classes.
Australia-wide:
Explore our Online Japanese Classes Australia page for live remote classes.
One-to-one learning:
Explore our Japanese Tutoring page for private lessons.
If you’ve never formally studied Japanese before, you can enquire about a beginner class. If you already have Japanese experience, we can arrange a complimentary level check to help determine the appropriate starting point.
This guide was developed by Nunawading Japanese School, teaching adult Japanese learners in Melbourne since 2013
