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It's not too late
to learn Japanese for the World Cup 2002
The World Cup kicks off at the end
of May. The Japanese and Koreans are already using languages to
their advantage, and it's not too late for you to do the same. We
introduce our top ways
to learn Japanese quickly,
featuring some of the best and most innovative language providers
in the world.
The World Cup
2002 football finals are being co-hosted by Japan and Korea from
31 May 2002 to 30 June 2002. The organisers of the World Cup in
Japan and Korea are determined that visitors won't let communication
problems spoil their visit.
They've already
set up multi-lingual websites and call centres, and have embarked
on a few ground-breaking ventures. They've started a telephone hotline
to report misuse of foreign languages such as 'no smorking' instead
of 'no smoking'. And they've introduced a so-called Babel Brigade
who have volunteered their mobile phone numbers to provide language
assistance to visitors. It's also hoped that with all these linguists
on call, they'll be able to talk to any football hooligans in their
own language!
Now, if the
Japanese and Koreans have the wisdom to know that languages are
good for you, then we really should take heed.
Whether you're
going to watch the footie matches, planning a holiday out East,
or just curious about these exotic languages, then we'll introduce
you to the top ways to learn Japanese or Korean. Did you know that
many Australian children learn Japanese as a second language at
school ... and that Japanese and Korean are two of the fastest growing
languages on the web ... so hurry to get the language advantage!
So how do you
learn Japanese, when you're hopeless at languages and when you've
no time at all?
Well, here are
some tips from Georgina Howard's book 'Breaking the Language Barrier'
and some from me too!
- Forget your
language learning at school
- Set yourself realistic targets
- You only need to learn a few hundred words to get started, not
thousands
- Only learn the grammar you really need
- Learn the scripts in parallel, but learn to communicate too
- Build it into your daily routine (it's just like exercise or dieting)
- Have the confidence to give it a go.
Reckon you'll
give it a go? You've still got time with our top
ways to learn Japanese quickly
(unfortunately there's not much around for Korean...)
A first effort
to get you started. Try a phrase book if you're going to Japan soon
or fancy sampling a very different language. Take a look at the
Japanese BBC travel phrase book here>>
A Japanese phrase
sent direct to your desktop every day, so you have to go nowhere,
and do nothing … but read it! No longer available.
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03
Get a self-study course
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Starting out
and need to learn Japanese fast? Try one of our fast learning courses.
There are loads to choose from, but some of our favourites are Pimsleur
Quick & Simple Japanese and Teach Yourself Instant
Japanese in 45 minutes a day.
If you've got
a computer at home or work, then get a CD-ROM and have fun learning
Japanese and Korean too. Try the best-selling CD-ROMs from Eurotalk
at beginner and intermediate level.
If you're always
on-line, this could be the answer for you. You can go through the
modules at your own pace and make real progress with the basic grammar
and vocabulary. They're also great for refreshing or maintaining
your level. You just miss the spoken in most cases. Try our Japanese
page to learn about the Japanese language and culture on-line
.
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Learn over the internet
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This is a unique
way of learning Japanese, or Korean. You learn over the internet
with a live tutor, using simple videoconferencing technology. Think
of it as being in a virtual classroom. No need to travel and you
can learn at your own pace as lessons are customised to you. Remember
it's a real person teaching you.
Try NetLearn Languages, who are
the only company to offer this service.
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... and don't forget the culture
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And don't forget
the culture. Even if you speak English, understanding the Japanese
and Korean culture will help you get more out of your holiday, or
get competitive advantage in business. Try a CULTURE
SHOCK! Guide to get a bit of knowledge about how the Japanese
and Korean live and work.
Also,
visit our Japanese page
and our languagestore or culturestore
for more of the best and most innovative language providers in the
world.
Visit
our languagenews archives for more language
stories about the World Cup 2002!
To
find out more about the World Cup 2002, visit the official multi-lingual
website at www.fifaworldcup.com
If
you would like to subscribe to our newsletter and be kept up-to-date
with the best and most innovative of the language and culture world,
please subscribe to our newsletter at www.languageadvantage.com/newsletter
Sarah Carroll
is the founder of www.languageadvantage.com
Sarah has always
loved learning languages and working and holidaying abroad. Before
setting up Language Advantage, Sarah worked on global projects for
Deloitte Consulting and Accenture (Andersen Consulting in her day).
Her belief that
you can get the competitive advantage through speaking languages
and understanding other cultures has emerged through first-hand
experiences of managing million dollar change programmes with multilingual
and multicultural teams. And with jobs as mad as these, she's tried
so many different ways of learning languages.
She's also got
first-hand experience of bringing up her son who spans cultures
as diverse as Welsh and Beninois and is learning French at three!
Sarah speaks
English, French, some German and is learning Spanish and Fon. Well,
she has to practise what she preaches!
Sarah can be
contacted on sarah@languageadvantage.com
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