The Language Mastery Blog
150+ Free Articles & Resources to Help You Reach Fluency Anywhere in the World
How to Learn Japanese with Netflix
Netflix may be associated most with binge-worthy series like House of Cards and subtle romantic preambles (“Want to Netflix and chill?”), but it can actually become a fantastic Japanese language learning tool, too, if used correctly. Read on to see how to find Japanese-language TV shows and movies, turn on subtitles and Japanese audio, and change the Netflix interface to Japanese.
How to Learn Japanese Using Apple Music
As Plato said, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” I would add yet three more benefits of music in the context of learning Japanese: ① Music is fun, meaning it will help you get your daily dose of Japanese no matter what (and actually enjoy the process along the way). ② Music makes repetition more enjoyable, allowing you to master Japanese vocabulary and grammar without the boredom that other forms of repetition entail. ③ Music improves memory, increases retention, and provides a scaffolding for new information. So that’s the “why” of music. Read on to see the “how” of the music approach using the Apple Music app. And let me know in the comments if you want me to do a similar write up for another app or streaming service.
Why Duolingo Won’t Get You Fluent (But Why You Should Use it Anyway)
Whether you find Duolingo to be a green-feathered friend in your pocket or an intimidating monster lurking outside your door waiting to pounce on you for not meeting your daily study goal, there’s no denying the app’s ubiquity and widespread cultural influence. Even Saturday Night Live has done a skit about it! Given its popularity, I am frequently asked whether I use Duolingo myself and what I think about it as a path to foreign language fluency. The answer to the first part of this question is easy: yes. Every single day. The answer to the second half, however, is far more nuanced and chock-full of caveats. Read on to see why Duolingo (alone) won’t get you fluent in Japanese, but why I think you should use it anyway…