Friday, June 20th
2025 Japanese Lesson Reviews
Busuu
- Plans from free to $14 per month
- Listening and visual approach
- 14-day money-back guarantee
- 7-day free trial for premium
- Free membership includes regular lessons in order
- Covers hiragana and katakana
- Lessons at your own pace offered on Premium
- App on Android and iOS
- 4.7 star average rating
At IE Business School in Spain, the co-founders Bernhard Niesner and Adrian Hilti weren't happy with the traditional and expensive ways people learned languages. They came up with Busuu as their final project for school - a new way to learn languages online that was affordable and included talking with native speakers. They launched it in 2008 after they finished school. Busuu uses the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), a well-known way of designing language lessons. Across its language courses, Busuu uses all writing systems in Japanese in detail.
Lessons are locked behind sign-up
You can start learning for free by clicking the "get started” button. You'll be asked to sign up with your email or your social media account. However, finding example lessons or videos is difficult if you don't want to sign up right away. If you do decide to make an account, you'll be asked why you want to learn Japanese, how often you want to plan to study, and how much Japanese you already know.
Quick trial lesson
From there, you're launched (Literally! You get a little rocket animation to kick off the course.) into a trial lesson right away. The trial lesson consists of short video clips with Japanese speakers saying vocabulary words with both English and Kanji spellings. Then, you're asked a quick question about the vocabulary you just heard/read. You're also asked to break down words into different parts to better understand the phonetics of longer or more complicated words. At the end, you can choose to recap the lesson or continue on afterward.
Designed to quiz you based on your needs
On Busuu, you'll find a variety of tools and a combination of audio and visual lessons. Its smart vocabulary and grammar review tool are created to help you recognize the words you've learned and pinpoint areas where you might need more help. Busuu customizes quizzes to help you remember words better over time, focusing on the areas where you need the most help. You can also use Busuu's Study Plan to keep yourself organized and boost your chances of reaching your language learning goals.
Three membership lengths to choose from
Although a lot of the program is free, you also have the option to upgrade to a premium membership, which unlocks advanced features such as specialized courses, more grammar review, and the ability to access lessons in any order. Busuu offers three membership plans to choose from. The 12-month plan costs $168 for the whole year. The 6-month plan is priced at $84 billed every six months, with a monthly rate of $8.45. Alternatively, you can opt for the month-to-month plan, which costs $14 per month.
Focuses on vocab acquisition
The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is the foundation for Busuu's language courses, including Japanese. In general, the CEFR method is divided into six stages from beginner to full fluency. Busuu approaches language learning by focusing on building your vocabulary. Instead of overwhelming you with too much at once, it teaches Japanese one word at a time. Each word is matched with a picture to help you remember it visually. Unfortunately for some American students, Busuu's course uses British English instead of American English, which might cause complications when words like "till” are used instead of "cash register” or "trolley” instead of "shopping cart.” On the bright side, Busuu teaches both Hiragana and Katakana, so you can be sure you're getting both main forms of the Japanese writing system.
Free trial with 14-day money-back guarantee
On its Premium Membership page, Busuu offers a 14-day money-back guarantee for testing out the Premium content. This is on top of the 7-day free trial offered when you first sign up for a Premium membership. This gives you a full 3-week period to try out the content. If you're unsatisfied with the program within this timeframe, you can receive a refund. You can also choose to learn for free without committing to the Premium membership at all.
Well-rated by students
Busuu has a solid reputation, particularly considering it was developed by two business students. Third-party review sites like Trustpilot give it an average rating of 4.5 stars. Its mobile app performs even better, with a 4.7-star average rating on both the Apple Store and the Google Play Store. Students have left reviews that praise Busuu's user-friendly interface and straightforward lessons, which offer achievable learning objectives and skills, even for challenging languages like Japanese that have multiple writing systems to tackle.
A solid option with great vocab work
Busuu is recognized as an exceptional language-learning platform. Reviews express gratitude that the app offers lessons covering all Japanese writing systems. However, a notable downside is the lack of transparency before sign-up. We'd love Busuu to have more sample lessons or training videos readily available on the website, so you don't need to create an account before you try the program. Despite this, Busuu's affordability and quality lessons warrant a solid rating.
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Where Can You Find the Best Japanese Lessons?
Learning a new language opens up a world of opportunities, and Japanese is one of the most intriguing languages you can choose. Suppose you're fascinated by Japanese culture, anime, manga, or traditional arts like tea ceremonies and calligraphy. In that case, delving into the Japanese language can provide a deeper understanding and appreciation of what you love.
Fortunately, with the increasing popularity of online learning, you can easily find Japanese lessons on the internet. Whether you're a complete beginner or seeking to refine your conversational skills, online Japanese courses offer a variety of teaching styles. From immersive audio lessons and interactive quizzes to multimedia resources and virtual language exchanges, online platforms offer an engaging learning environment.
Japanese Lesson FAQ
Continued from above...
Whether you dream of exploring the bustling streets of Tokyo, immersing yourself in the serene landscapes of Kyoto, or simply connecting with Japanese speakers, learning the language can be a rewarding experience.
Japan has a rich cultural heritage, steeped in centuries-old traditions and modern innovations. From the graceful movements of traditional dance forms like Noh and Kabuki to the intricate artistry of sushi-making and bonsai cultivation, Japanese culture offers art, history, and innovation. By learning Japanese, you gain access to a vibrant cultural world that spans ancient history and contemporary pop culture phenomena like J-pop music. From the elegance of Japanese architecture to the dynamic energy of modern city life, learning Japanese allows you to delve deeper into the heart and soul of Japan.
In today's interconnected world, proficiency in Japanese can open doors to many personal and professional opportunities. Japan is a global economic powerhouse, home to leading technology companies, automotive giants, and influential cultural exports. Whether you aspire to work for a Japanese corporation, pursue academic research in collaboration with Japanese institutions, or engage in cross-cultural exchange programs, fluency in Japanese can significantly broaden your horizons.
As you embark on your journey to learn Japanese, it can be hard to narrow down the options. Here are some key factors to consider to help you find the best resource for your Japanese lessons:
- Teaching methodology. Identify your preferred learning style - whether auditory, visual, or kinesthetic - and select a Japanese course that works best with how you learn. Whether you thrive on interactive exercises, audiovisual content, or structured grammar discussions, make sure you prioritize platforms that offer methods that support how you learn best.
- Free trial option. Look for Japanese language platforms that offer free trials or sample lessons. This allows you to check out the program before committing to a subscription. Some platforms offer course previews or multi-day trials. These will give you the best chance at trying a language program before you have to pay.
- Cost. Evaluate the cost of Japanese language courses with respect to the value they offer in terms of educational content and language proficiency outcomes. Many Japanese language lessons are free, but you may not get full proficiency from those sources. On the other hand, some programs are very expensive, but you still might miss some key features. Balance the cost and value of the language instruction to find your best fit.
- Reputation. Research the reputation and credibility of Japanese language platforms through customer reviews, ratings, and testimonials. Explore third-party review sites, language learning forums, and social media channels to see if your favorite Japanese lesson provider offers the results you want. Look for platforms with positive feedback regarding instructional effectiveness, customer support, and learning outcomes for a rewarding and fulfilling learning experience.
To help you get the most out of your language studies, Top Consumer Reviews has tested, evaluated and ranked the best options for online Japanese lessons today. We know this information will give you all the info you need to choose the best program for your learning style and schedule.
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