If you are starting to learn Japanese you must be aware of a few interesting and critical facts about the Japanese language. In any case, do go through the blog. I am sure you will have some takeaways to benefit you!

Japanese, an East Asian language, spoken by approximately 130 million people, predominantly in Japan, is considered to be a language isolate by many experts and is also considered to be one of the most difficult languages to learn. However, this does not deter many language enthusiasts from learning this language. People who learn this language for professional reasons take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) which is divided into five levels N1, N2, N3, N4 and N5 with N5 being the most basic and N1 being the most challenging level. N3 is the bridge or the Intermediate Japanese language level which is taken into account by employers and universities to employ foreign candidates or for admission into higher studies.

So where exactly are you when you are at the intermediate level of the Japanese language!

At the intermediate level, you are expected to be at par with Japanese middle school students where you need to study 650 kanji and 3700 vocabulary words.

And what are you capable of?

At the Intermediate level, you can understand and comprehend everyday conversations at near-natural speed and can grasp the relationships among people who are involved in the conversations. You can hold a conversation with a native speaker at this level.

You can also read and understand written content that contains specific material related to everyday topics. You can understand the newspaper headlines and a little difficult writing with relative ease.

Japanese Language and Culture

The culture and language of land are always interrelated. Honorifics are a major element of the Japanese language which also show how people exhibit respect and politeness through their language. Thus, understanding this aspect which is closely related to Japanese culture is an essential element of learning the language. Honorifics are used based on hierarchy, job titles, relationships and social situations.

So, this is what you can expect to do!

At the intermediate Japanese level, as you are able to hold a conversation with a native speaker at a comfortable level, learning about these cultural aspects would ensure that you are able to use them appropriately and avoid any embarrassment for yourself and the other person.

Now for the cultural part of the Japanese language

Understanding the cultural aspect is very important because when you are learning a language that is completely different from yours, certain things which are acceptable in your culture and language could be wrong or offensive in the other language.

What does it mean to be at an intermediate language level when seen from a cultural angle?

At the Intermediate Japanese level, you can communicate well with the native speakers, however, understanding the cultural aspects helps in understanding the non-verbal cues in communication which play a crucial role in Japanese society.

How should you learn Japanese at the intermediate level?

If you are trying to move to the Intermediate level or would like to make progress towards the proficient level it is important to learn Japanese through a course that integrates with the culture of Japan.

Availability of multiple platforms

Though there are many platforms that promise to teach you the Japanese language, finding a reliable source that can help you assimilate your learning with the cultural aspects can be of great help in understanding and learning the language faster.

You can find a Japanese language class online at Multibhashi where you get to learn from an experienced teacher who can help you understand the language and its cultural nuances, thus enabling you to communicate well in this language. Just book a free demo to understand the teaching-learning process and make a move towards achieving your goal of learning Japanese.