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I am thinking of moving to Japan in the future, and I know that I will have to
pass JLPT exams in order to get a job. So how should I start learning?
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question
culture
How should I start learning Japanese as a total beginner and a native English speaker?
The best option is to get lessons, either in a class or from a private tutor.
It would be a good investment since a skilled teacher will be able to guide
you through the early stages in the learning process.

If you cannot take a class or private lessons, I recommend buying a good
textbook for self-study. The ['Genki'
series](http://genki.japantimes.co.jp/about_en) is considered a good option
for self-study because it covers a variety of grammar structures and has
supplementary workbooks to test your progress. In general, beginners learn the
'kana' scripts called Hiragana and Katakana first. These allow you to read and
write Japanese phonetically while you are learning grammar and syntax. Focus
on learning pronunciation properly by referring to sites such as
[Forvo](https://ja.forvo.com/languages/ja/). From there, you can begin to
start learning 'kanji', the more complex script. Your study should include a
range of audio-visual materials, reading materials, quizzes and tests, and
your coursework from the textbook. If possible, you should practice your
speaking with a Japanese person. I also recommend using spaced repetition
programs (such as Anki) to review the material you have learned.

I suggest postponing the JLPT study until you have first completed the basics
above. When you are more comfortable with Japanese, there are many sites and
resources which are dedicated to the JLPT specifically.

Useful links:

  * <http://www.guidetojapanese.org/learn/>
  * <https://www.tofugu.com/learn-japanese/>
  * <https://www.nhk.or.jp/lesson/english/>
  * <https://www.fluentu.com/blog/japanese/teach-japanese-beginners-guide/>
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answer