JapanesePod101 is a lot more than a Japanese podcast.

Yeah, that's the main focus, but really it could also be used for your grammar studies. I didn't use it for grammar, because by the time I discovered JapanesePod101, I already knew a lot of Japanese grammar. But I have read quite a few of their lesson PDF's, and I think they've got a pretty good thing going. For now, though, let's talk about the listening portion of things.

I truly believe that JapanesePod101 is an indispensable resource for learning Japanese. Rosetta Stone, Pimsleur, other podcasts—none of them are on the same level as JapanesePod101.

The reason that I'm such a die-hard supporter of JapanesePod101 is that, after a while, their lessons get to be very advanced. Although I can understand and enjoy most of Japanese anime, TV shows, and radio, I still listen to JapanesePod101 frequently. And every time I do, I learn new Japanese. Every time.

It might sound strange to point out, but…

• 1.I learn new Japanese every time I listen to JapanesePod101.
• 2.So, if I listen to a lot of lessons, then I will learn a lot of Japanese.
• 3.If I learn a lot of Japanese, then my Japanese will improve, and I'll get to [whatever ridiculous ninja level I'm aiming for].

To be entirely honest, I don't like recommending a study program that costs money, but luckily JapanesePod101 is quite affordable. Also, compared to the amount of Japanese content you get from other things that cost money, I'd say that it's really cheap.

I definitely don't regret purchasing it for myself. Still, if you're not willing to pay, you can still find some good, free podcasts through iTunes, though they're unlikely to be as structured or helpful as JapanesePod101. Hey, something is better than nothing, right?

The most important part of Phase #1 Listening Prep is just that you Nihongo-ify your life. You'll be amazed at how much your comprehension increases with constant, structured, level-appropriate listening practice.

If you're going to go with JapanesePod101, then you should download all of the lessons for a given level, then put them on your computer, phone/mp3 player, and/or burn them onto CD's. You want to make it as easy as possible to have them playing when you're available for listening. I'll give detailed instructions on my recommended listening techniques later in Phase #3.

There was a time that I didn't have hookups to listen to my mp3 player in the car, and I had to burn hundreds of JapanesePod101 lessons onto CD's so that I could listen to them on my way to work. And I'm so glad I did!

It helps if you only download one level at a time. This keeps them from getting mixed up by your smartphone or mp3 player. So, maybe start with 'Absolute Beginner Lessons' or 'Newbie Lessons.' Listen to them. Then maybe listen to them again at 2x speed. Then, when you feel you're picking up everything that's being said in the dialogues without English, move onto the next level. There's always more to listen to. Again, the listening approach that I recommend specifically is much more intricate than this, but I'm saving the details for later on in this guide.

Let Audio Lessons Be Your Rock

I'm coming at you with a lot of information in this guide, and that can be ridiculously overwhelming.
At times when you feel like all of this is just way too much, audio lessons can be the thing that keeps you relaxed and on track. This is why I think audio lessons are such a great entry point for language learners.

Starting a new language is mostly just an overload of information and things to learn–everybody has theories about how you should study; lots of people complain that X is impossible, so you should just give up (like they did); others tell you that X, Y, and Z are all possible and effortless… if you just give them a few hundred dollars; Wikipedia makes your head spin with linguistic jargon. Learn all of these kanji. Learn all of this vocab. Learn all of this grammar. Start speaking from day one. Speak all day, every day, even to your cat. Take this course. Read this book. Now, now, now. Go, go, go—and forget it, I quit.

It's stressful, yeah?

But when we feel stressed and confused, we can just chill out and kick it with some lessons. Forget about what's important, what's time-effective, how much you need to learn.

Just put on your headphones, lie down in bed, and listen.

Yes, I'm seriously recommending this if you feel overwhelmed. Because you might find that if you stop pressuring yourself so much to learn, you'll realize that Japanese is really interesting all on its own. If you're reading this guide, then you might feel (like I do) that just hearing people talk about Japanese is interesting. So start there.

Let simple audio lessons be a source of comfort and motivation.

They're comforting, because your language ability starts improving just by sitting there and listening to someone talk.

They're motivating, because you'll be hearing native speakers use the language, and you might just remember why you wanted to learn Japanese in the first place.

Also, I find that audio lessons are a great tool to keep me on track, because lessons are a productive form of study. A common problem I have when starting new languages is to let all of my time get sucked up by activity, when really it should go to productivity.

Audio lessons are the easiest way to expose yourself to a new language. If you're tired, and you don't feel like studying, well that's okay. Just put on your headphones and don't listen actively. Something is better than nothing. Also, there are structured ways to do this so that even if you're only passively listening, you're still actively studying. (See Phase #3)

So, yeah, I recommend starting audio lessons from Day #1.

They're my fallback. My constant. My rock. My shoulder to cry on.

And there's no reason to postpone starting them.

Good? Ok, let's move on. Hang in there; we've only got three Phase #1 preps left! And this next one won't require any studying at all. Awesome, ya?

Phase #1 Progress

Completed:

• Mindset Prep
• Vocab Prep
• Listening Prep

Pending:

• Reference Prep
• Grammar Prep
• Speaking Prep