Learning Japanese - Day 1

The Instant Immersion program uses a game and quiz approach. When you begin, a message tells you that your goal is earn 1,800 point.

The initial screen offers you a variety of choices. They are: first words, food, colors, phrases, body, numbers, time, shopping, and countries. I chose first words. This choice presented me with five options: word practice, speaking practice, easy game, hard game, and print picture dictionary. I wasn't sure where to begin so I clicked on the help button.

• Word Practice - Listen to new words and record your pronunciation.


• Speaking Practice - Practice the new words you have learned.


• Easy & Hard Games - Games to learn Japanese. It is suggested that you may want to begin your language learning by playing the easy game.


• Print Picture Dictionary - Build your own dictionary with 270 color pictures - make flash cards.

I began with the Easy Game. A lady says four words in Japanese. A picture is shown with each word. Next, a man says one of the previously said words in Japanese. You need to select its meaning from a list of the meanings of the four words. I did well; I got all correct for 50 points. After 5 mins., I didn't remember any of the words but that was fine. At this point, it is more important that I become more familiar with listening and adapting to the rhythms of the Japanese language. It is also a good reminder for me when I teach ESL; speak slowly, a new language sounds very strange. I do believe that the program would be more effective if the man and woman were Japanese instead of American (or European).

Next, I began the word practice exercises. They are nice. Both the male and female speakers alternate saying the words. Some Japanese words that I have learned are:

• hai - yes


• denwa - telephone


• ohato - good morning