Japanese is spoken by 125 million people worldwide, making it the 9th most-spoken language in the world in terms of native speaker population. It is also associated with one of the most powerful national economies in the world.

The decision to study Japanese should not be taken lightly as it can be very challenging. However, given its complexity relative to most other languages, learning and mastering Japanese can be a very rewarding experience.

Continuing from Part A of this article, here are 3 more key concepts for learning how to read and speak Japanese:

#4: Use flashcards to learn vocabulary: Flashcards are a must for learning a complex language like Japanese. Back when I started studying, I usually just used paper flashcards, which are a fine choice. If do you have a computer (which I assume you do), I highly suggest investing in some flashcard software. This is a great way to easily record and then master thousands of new vocabulary words more quickly than just through reading.

#5: Take in a healthy mix of textbook and street Japanese: In college, I was fortunate enough to study the more technical aspects of Japanese such as the honorific and humble verb forms, business vocabulary, and even classical texts. But, arriving in Japan, what little Japanese I did speak made me sound like a talking textbook. By contrast, I had a number of fellow gaijin friends who could chat all day long with the natives but at the same time could not tell the difference between the men's and the women's restrooms until it was too late to avoid embarrassment. Over time, I made sure to round out my theoretical knowledge with more informal, or street, Japanese. Be sure to maintain a balance as you move forward in your studies.

#6: Take periodic study breaks every few weeks: Your brain is constantly assimilating new information about what you learn. Just like the fact that your muscles need a chance to rebuild between heavy workouts, your brain needs periodic breaks from studying Japanese in order to assimilate what it has learned. If you are in a formal study program or if you are just particularly passionate about the language, you may find it difficult to take breaks. But, find ways to take a one or two week break every 6 weeks or so. When you resume your studies after such a break, you will likely find that your spoken language flows more freely and your reading comprehension has increased.

The complexity of Japanese means that there is always a new level of understanding and mastery to be reached. This fact makes the learning of Japanese a very worthwhile pursuit that can provide a lifetime of enjoyment.