I'm a 18 and currently an university student. Besides studying, I'm trying to
learn several foreign languages. Reason? Well, one of them, after finishing my
S1 degree, (if God allows me) I'm planning to continue my study overseas. To
start, I'm learning English (of course...) and German. And upon hearing that my
major provides scholarship for graduates (or talented student) to continue study
in Japan (with full accomodation! XP) at one of the universities in cooperation
with us. The problem is, the lecture only told in Japanese, and therefore,
requires the students to be comprehend in it.
I'm always interested to study abroad, to broaden my knowledge and experience.
And since I was a child, I'm always amazed by Japan's anime, manga, and most
notably, their ability to rise up from devastating defeat in WWII to the present
hi-tech country. Sometimes I wonder if I can go there, and now I find that I
have that chance. The problem is the language...I always have problems with
languages using non-Latin letters, such as Mandarin and even my native language.
And we know that the best time to learn a language is when you're still young,
as it needs to be honed from time to time...
Friends, do you think I still can learn this very-very difficult language
(different grammar, different vocabulary, different spelling, and DIFFERENT
LETTERS!) despite my age? And if can, how can I spare time between my study and
learning, since my weeks are full with study (7 am to 5 pm)?
Hey I'm the same situation as you... okay not EXACTLY the same, but I really
would love to learn the Jap language and study/working abroad would be a really
vauable experience.
I have to ask, how much do you know of the language already and how do you find
learning other languages. From my vauge experience, it's kind of a new way of
thing, so as long as you are open up to the fact, it should help a bit.
Quote by KukuruHey I'm the same situation
as you... okay not EXACTLY the same, but I really would love to learn the Jap
language and study/working abroad would be a really vauable experience.
I have to ask, how much do you know of the language already and how do you find
learning other languages. From my vauge experience, it's kind of a new way of
thing, so as long as you are open up to the fact, it should help a bit.
German or Japanese? I learned German approx. 1 year ago, and am currently
learning Dative cases. I enjoyed it, because I'm a big time fans of Nazi! I
started learning German just to know the meaning of their songs (Deutschland
Erwache! means Germany Awake! right?) I even have their combat songs recording
in mp3 format and some Hitler's speeches video (man, now I know why he's often
regarded as one of the best orator ever...) . As for Japanese... a big zero! Of
course, watching anime really helps (on vocab) me... a little. Some word I learn
is aishiteru, henshin, daisuki, urusai, bento, and....hentai.
well.. as long as you're still interested, you'll probably be able to learn it
. just
keep away from information overload. chill out from time to time .
meh, i'm currently learning japanese too and man it's hard o.o
kinda hard remembering the grammar and such
and i can't even write japanese D:
but i think as long as there's a will, there's a way
heyy.. no one's always too old to learn something new. watching anime has helped
me on the language. since you're so interested in it, why don't give it a try
Quote by bittersweeTloveheyy.. no
one's always too old to learn something new. watching anime has helped me on the
language. since you're so interested in it, why don't give it a try
Yes, it really helps me a lot, but only in vocabulary matters. As for grammar, I
find it a little difficult to learn only by watching anime...
I think you have to be realistic about your goals.
To understand everyday communication in Japan, it requires at least 2 years of
committment, I think. Since you are already taking 2 language courses already, I
highly doubt your major would require you to take courses in 3 different
languages
Plus there is also the criteria of "talented students", typically that
calls for about like 5 to 10 students only. Do you consider yourself to be one
of them? Is your GPA good, what activities have you been involved in, etc.
There are couple of factors to weigh. The problem is not language, it is the
matter of fact of whether you would be considered due to academic requirements.
If you score top of the university class, then, shoot for it. However, always
have a backup plan if you are not chosen.
In nutshell, you need to lower your expectation. If you take Japanese just for a
chance of being there for a semester for exchange, then I will really doubt the
2 years or whatever efforts you put in into obtaining this brand new language
(Note: You comment on you have problem with non-Latin based letters, are you
fully prepared to be hammered by them, for two years?). You will most likely get
frustrated if the result turned out otherwise
Try taking Japanese from a perspective of interest only. I am currently taking
Japanese also, and I just take it for fun, and obtain a better understanding of
animes
Quote by Kigajapanese is easy to learn (well,
since I currently study at least five languages...) I'm the youngest of the
whole college! ^_^
Whuah...that's what they call by "talent", and yet you say "at
least"... man, you're really making me jealous. Do you know some tips about
how to learn effectively?
Quote by tanteikunI think you have to
be realistic about your goals.
To understand everyday communication in Japan, it requires at least 2 years of
committment, I think. Since you are already taking 2 language courses already, I
highly doubt your major would require you to take courses in 3 different
languages
Plus there is also the criteria of "talented students", typically that
calls for about like 5 to 10 students only. Do you consider yourself to be one
of them? Is your GPA good, what activities have you been involved in, etc.
There are couple of factors to weigh. The problem is not language, it is the
matter of fact of whether you would be considered due to academic requirements.
If you score top of the university class, then, shoot for it. However, always
have a backup plan if you are not chosen.
In nutshell, you need to lower your expectation. If you take Japanese just for a
chance of being there for a semester for exchange, then I will really doubt the
2 years or whatever efforts you put in into obtaining this brand new language
(Note: You comment on you have problem with non-Latin based letters, are you
fully prepared to be hammered by them, for two years?). You will most likely get
frustrated if the result turned out otherwise
Try taking Japanese from a perspective of interest only. I am currently taking
Japanese also, and I just take it for fun, and obtain a better understanding of
animes
Yes, of course. For criteria "talented students", I can't really say
that I'm one of them. But at least I'll study hard until then, or at least get a
recommendation from my lecturers. And don't worry, I'm a type of person who
takes everything in a positive side. If I succeed in getting it, then
"Thanks, Great Lord!". But if I failed, it's still "Thanks, Great
Lord! You must have better plan for me!"
And I want to learn Japanese is not loosely because that reason. Same as you, I
want to understand animes more, and a greater target, I want to read mangas in
its original language. I think as long as I enjoy it, difference of letter will
not really matter. I didn't enjoy learning Mandarin because the lesson started
just 6 months before my final test, you know? And more, in the future, I plan to
learn more language: Italian, French, Spanish, or even Hebrew?
yeah
its never too late
sometimes i try but i get too lazy and you cant be lazy if you are going to
learn another language haha
and you should also have the will to learn it
but i really would like to learn it
wow your very dedicated... i need that trait xD
anyways.. in a way it is still possible.... just i doubt you will be able to do
it this year.... will be very difficult... but if you truely are dedicated..
after a year you should be able to get the basics down for japanese and speak
the basics fluently as well as understand it when heard
I don't think that it's too late despite your age. It'll take
some time though, since I'd say the writing system is difficult. You have to
learn katakana, hiragana, and kanji. But with some patience and determination,
you'll be able to pull it off. I'm
currently learning German, and for me, it's much more difficult to make out
German words than Japanese words.
Nah go for it man it's not that hard. I'm semi-fluent in Japanese and I learned
it all on my own. It may sound difficult but it reallly isn't if you have
studied other languages. I can speak German and Japanese ^_^
It's never too late (well I suppose in that's case this expression isn't
wrong).
If you really want to learn japanese, you'll find time to learn it. ^_^ <-
(saying this even if I am always back to the learning of the kanas since I
always let too many time flow).
Well I'm still haven't read grammar or just bits and don't really look forward
but I think it's quite funny to learn kanjis by using the quite famous
"remembering kanjis". Me reading flashcards and trying to make sense
of them.... ok actually I don't really read this book, I think the stories can
be quite confusing since I already know few characters since I have studied a
little chinese.
So I just use the flashcards to learn. That can be interesting since you just
need (after making them) to make few-minutes sessions to learn kanjis. Better
short and frequent spells to learn foreign languages.
I'm in a similar situation. The thing is, I want to study abroad and that's the
only option for me and my ultimate goal. I have almost 3 years left till the
time comes, and I was thinking about trying Japan out. Anyway, I started to
learn the language and I hope I can succed in my plans, one way (scholarship) or
another... Back to your case - no, it's not too late and you can still learn
Japanese. The only factor that will decide about your succes is a lot motivation
and willpower. If you have that, don't hesitate and try your best.
No! It's never too late for anyone to study a different language. I mean...my
Spanishe teacher last year only learned how to speak Spanish when she was in
college, and she was still able to teach the class.
You muste never hesitate to learn a language. Everyone is capable of learning a
language, no matter what the age.
I'm a 18 and currently an university student. Besides studying, I'm trying to learn several foreign languages. Reason? Well, one of them, after finishing my S1 degree, (if God allows me) I'm planning to continue my study overseas. To start, I'm learning English (of course...) and German. And upon hearing that my major provides scholarship for graduates (or talented student) to continue study in Japan (with full accomodation! XP) at one of the universities in cooperation with us. The problem is, the lecture only told in Japanese, and therefore, requires the students to be comprehend in it.
I'm always interested to study abroad, to broaden my knowledge and experience. And since I was a child, I'm always amazed by Japan's anime, manga, and most notably, their ability to rise up from devastating defeat in WWII to the present hi-tech country. Sometimes I wonder if I can go there, and now I find that I have that chance. The problem is the language...I always have problems with languages using non-Latin letters, such as Mandarin and even my native language. And we know that the best time to learn a language is when you're still young, as it needs to be honed from time to time...
Friends, do you think I still can learn this very-very difficult language (different grammar, different vocabulary, different spelling, and DIFFERENT LETTERS!) despite my age? And if can, how can I spare time between my study and learning, since my weeks are full with study (7 am to 5 pm)?
Hey I'm the same situation as you... okay not EXACTLY the same, but I really would love to learn the Jap language and study/working abroad would be a really vauable experience.
I have to ask, how much do you know of the language already and how do you find learning other languages. From my vauge experience, it's kind of a new way of thing, so as long as you are open up to the fact, it should help a bit.
hahaha.....~~peep~~z
of course it's not too late to learn japanese. The fact is, I AM studying japanese language all by myself.
If you really are determined, maybe you can learn japanese right away...
German or Japanese? I learned German approx. 1 year ago, and am currently learning Dative cases. I enjoyed it, because I'm a big time fans of Nazi! I started learning German just to know the meaning of their songs (Deutschland Erwache! means Germany Awake! right?) I even have their combat songs recording in mp3 format and some Hitler's speeches video (man, now I know why he's often regarded as one of the best orator ever...) . As for Japanese... a big zero! Of course, watching anime really helps (on vocab) me... a little. Some word I learn is aishiteru, henshin, daisuki, urusai, bento, and....hentai.
well.. as long as you're still interested, you'll probably be able to learn it
. just
keep away from information overload. chill out from time to time 
.
meh, i'm currently learning japanese too and man it's hard o.o
and i can't even write japanese D:
kinda hard remembering the grammar and such
but i think as long as there's a will, there's a way
heyy.. no one's always too old to learn something new. watching anime has helped me on the language. since you're so interested in it, why don't give it a try
Yes, it really helps me a lot, but only in vocabulary matters. As for grammar, I find it a little difficult to learn only by watching anime...
I think you have to be realistic about your goals.
To understand everyday communication in Japan, it requires at least 2 years of committment, I think. Since you are already taking 2 language courses already, I highly doubt your major would require you to take courses in 3 different languages
Plus there is also the criteria of "talented students", typically that calls for about like 5 to 10 students only. Do you consider yourself to be one of them? Is your GPA good, what activities have you been involved in, etc.
There are couple of factors to weigh. The problem is not language, it is the matter of fact of whether you would be considered due to academic requirements. If you score top of the university class, then, shoot for it. However, always have a backup plan if you are not chosen.
In nutshell, you need to lower your expectation. If you take Japanese just for a chance of being there for a semester for exchange, then I will really doubt the 2 years or whatever efforts you put in into obtaining this brand new language (Note: You comment on you have problem with non-Latin based letters, are you fully prepared to be hammered by them, for two years?). You will most likely get frustrated if the result turned out otherwise
Try taking Japanese from a perspective of interest only. I am currently taking Japanese also, and I just take it for fun, and obtain a better understanding of animes
Go for it
ar at least try and give your best 
I guess
japanese is worth it
japanese is easy to learn
(well,
since I currently study at least five languages...) I'm the youngest of the
whole college! ^_^
Whuah...that's what they call by "talent", and yet you say "at least"... man, you're really making me jealous. Do you know some tips about how to learn effectively?
It is never late what you need is time, a lot of free time.
Yes, of course. For criteria "talented students", I can't really say that I'm one of them. But at least I'll study hard until then, or at least get a recommendation from my lecturers. And don't worry, I'm a type of person who takes everything in a positive side. If I succeed in getting it, then "Thanks, Great Lord!". But if I failed, it's still "Thanks, Great Lord! You must have better plan for me!"
And I want to learn Japanese is not loosely because that reason. Same as you, I want to understand animes more, and a greater target, I want to read mangas in its original language. I think as long as I enjoy it, difference of letter will not really matter. I didn't enjoy learning Mandarin because the lesson started just 6 months before my final test, you know? And more, in the future, I plan to learn more language: Italian, French, Spanish, or even Hebrew?
yeah
its never too late
sometimes i try but i get too lazy and you cant be lazy if you are going to learn another language haha
and you should also have the will to learn it
but i really would like to learn it
It will never be too late to learn (unless you're dead, of course). All it takes is a good work ethic and you'll get it. Good luck! ^_^
its never to late,
if you really like it, then you whould be able to learn it without giving up
It shouldn`t be that hard I started just listening to anime songs and then I started to read and learn about it now I use it to confuse my friends.
wow your very dedicated... i need that trait xD
anyways.. in a way it is still possible.... just i doubt you will be able to do it this year.... will be very difficult... but if you truely are dedicated.. after a year you should be able to get the basics down for japanese and speak the basics fluently as well as understand it when heard
I don't think that it's too late despite your age.
It'll take
some time though, since I'd say the writing system is difficult. You have to
learn katakana, hiragana, and kanji. But with some patience and determination,
you'll be able to pull it off. 
I'm
currently learning German, and for me, it's much more difficult to make out
German words than Japanese words. 
Nah go for it man it's not that hard. I'm semi-fluent in Japanese and I learned it all on my own. It may sound difficult but it reallly isn't if you have studied other languages. I can speak German and Japanese ^_^
It's never too late (well I suppose in that's case this expression isn't wrong).
If you really want to learn japanese, you'll find time to learn it. ^_^ <- (saying this even if I am always back to the learning of the kanas since I always let too many time flow).
Well I'm still haven't read grammar or just bits and don't really look forward but I think it's quite funny to learn kanjis by using the quite famous "remembering kanjis". Me reading flashcards and trying to make sense of them.... ok actually I don't really read this book, I think the stories can be quite confusing since I already know few characters since I have studied a little chinese.
So I just use the flashcards to learn. That can be interesting since you just need (after making them) to make few-minutes sessions to learn kanjis. Better short and frequent spells to learn foreign languages.
I'm in a similar situation. The thing is, I want to study abroad and that's the only option for me and my ultimate goal. I have almost 3 years left till the time comes, and I was thinking about trying Japan out. Anyway, I started to learn the language and I hope I can succed in my plans, one way (scholarship) or another... Back to your case - no, it's not too late and you can still learn Japanese. The only factor that will decide about your succes is a lot motivation and willpower. If you have that, don't hesitate and try your best.
No! It's never too late for anyone to study a different language. I mean...my Spanishe teacher last year only learned how to speak Spanish when she was in college, and she was still able to teach the class.
You muste never hesitate to learn a language. Everyone is capable of learning a language, no matter what the age.