Is your kiddo at the perfect age to learn a new language, and you’ve chosen beautiful and complex Japanese? Great choice! Get ready for an eclectic mix of ninja stars and sushi rolls as we take a deep dive into the six best apps for learning Japanese for kids.
These apps combine play and study, turning what could be a strenuous process into an adventure. Keep in mind that no app can guarantee fluency overnight: patience, consistency and interaction with native speakers are key. Here are the 6 best apps for the task!
| Apps | Best For | Pricing |
|---|---|---|
| Ling | Interactive tasks | Plans start at $16.99 per month. |
| Duolingo | General vocabulary & grammar | Free; Duolingo Plus available at $9.99 per month. |
| Japanesepod101 | Listening skills | Free; Premium subscription at $5.50 per month. |
| Mindsnacks Japanese | Vocabulary building | $4.99 (One-time purchase) |
| Rosetta Stone | Immersion-based learning | Plans start at $47.97 for 3 months. |
| FluentU | Learning via real-world videos | Monthly subscription at $29.99 |
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1. The Ling App – Best For Interactive Tasks
We’re going to start with one of the best language-learning apps out there: the Ling app! This versatile app teaches Japanese (and numerous other languages) through a diverse range of activities, so there is something for every learning taste your mini polyglot has. What sets it apart? It’s a bento box of variety: conversations, quizzes, vocabulary flashcards and Dialog, which has your child practicing Japanese in simulated conversations.
Ling takes the cake with its conversation practice. Through Dialog, children get to test their growing language skills in a safe, low-stress environment, which builds confidence before they venture out into the real world. Reasonably priced for the quality of content and the variety of features it offers, Ling could well be worth breaking your piggy bank a little. It’s all about the right balance in the bento box, after all!
Features
- Comprehensive lessons with a wide range of activities.
- Engaging interface with gamified content that’s ideal for kids.
- Dialog, which lets children practice conversations and improve their listening skills.
- Writing lessons for the Japanese script.
Pricing
- Monthly price: $16.99
- Six month price: $64.99
- Annual price: $89.99 (with 7-day free trial)
Devices: Android, iOS.
2. Duolingo – Best For General Vocabulary & Grammar
Duolingo brings an irreplaceable element of fun into the laborious task of language learning. The lessons are kept small, helping your child to learn about food, animals, numbers, etc., in Japanese with ease. Watch out for Duo the Owl’s nudges: Saa, hajimemashou! (Alright, let’s start!)
This app offers newcomers a stress-free and enjoyable portal into the world of Japanese with a skill-tree structure to track progress. Duolingo emphasizes reading, writing, and grammar practice, making it best for kids who are starting their linguistic journey. With pronunciation exercises introduced through a voice recognition feature, your child can perfect their new Samurai greeting! The only caveat is that it might not be enough for advanced learning, but it’s great for basics.
Features
- Gamified lessons that give ‘XP’ (Experience Points) and other virtual rewards. This feeds into a child’s love for games and motivates them to learn without even realizing they’re studying.
- Helpful reminders via Duolingo’s affable owl mascot Duo.
- A friendly interface with bite-sized lessons.
Pricing
- Most of this platform’s features are completely free.
- For an ad-free experience and to unlock bonus features like offline courses, the Duolingo Plus version clocks in at $9.99 per month.
- There’s also a yearly subscription for $83.99.
Devices: Android, iOS, Web.
3. Japanesepod101 – Best For Listening Skills
With Japanesepod101, learning Japanese might just become your child’s favorite activity. This audio and video podcast-style learning app takes a rather unconventional but effective route. Your kid won’t even realize they’re actually studying while they participate in engaging interactive games and quizzes.
Japanesepod101 has an extensive library of lessons and additional resources. This app is best for young learners who respond well to auditory and visual cues with lessons delivered by professionals. But it’s also perfect for adults, too, since they have lessons focused on the JLPT tests!
Features
- Podcast-style lessons that combine visual and auditory learning in a fresh approach, which is advantageous for children whose learning style leans more towards listening and watching.
- Comprehensive curriculum with lots of supplemental materials.
- The fun conversations and interactive content often feel like a kids’ show episode, and can successfully make the complex Japanese language digestible and engaging for kids.
Pricing
- Plenty of free content available.
- Premium subscription at $5.50 per month.
- Premium Plus at $12.58 per month.
Devices: Android, iOS, web.
4. Mindsnacks Japanese – Best For Vocabulary Building
What kid doesn’t love snacks, right? Mindsnacks uses addictive games to help your child memorize essential words, phrases, and proper pronunciation. This virtual “snack” of knowledge leaves your budding linguist craving for more lessons to complete.
Mindsnacks Japanese delivers a whopping 8 different mini-games designed to boost vocabulary and grammar skills. This proves crucial in holding a child’s wavering attention. Combining learning with fun-filled missions and colorful cartoons, the app subtly embeds new Japanese words and phrases into your child’s growing lexicon.
Features
- Visual, auditory, and interactive teachings, which are ideal for kids.
- Game-based learning that makes the process enjoyable.
- Kids can learn 800+ words and phrases in the Japanese language through 50 lessons designed by experts.
Pricing
- Free first lesson.
- Premium upgrade for $4.99.
- All languages for $19.99
Devices: iOS.
5. Rosetta Stone: Learn Japanese – Best For Immersion-Based Learning
A veteran in language learning tools, Rosetta Stone provides an immersive environment for your child – no translations, just intuition-based learning. This app relies on repetition and interactive touch-based tasks to solidify memory recall. A touch pricey, perhaps, but you get what you pay for!
Rosetta Stone focuses on contextual and immersive learning that’s great for kids who need crystal-clear examples. With adjustable settings to accurately gauge your child’s progress, this app adapts to their needs. Is your future word warrior an avid manga (Japanese comics) reader? This app is great for paving their way towards achieving native-level reading skills.
Features
- Tried and true methodology with progressive levels.
- Well-designed and easy-to-use interface.
- Immersive, no-translation method of teaching. This helps children draw connections between words and their meanings directly in Japanese, as opposed to translating from their native language.
Pricing
- 3 months for $47.97 ($15.99 per month).
- One year for $126 ($10.50 per month).
- Lifetime access for $199.
Devices: IOS, Android, and Web.
6. FluentU – Best For Learning Via Real-World Videos
Your kiddo’s favorite animation, music video, or movie now comes with a language lesson. FluentU uses actual Japanese videos and gives them a learning twist with interactive captions in both languages.
Utilizing the power of popular videos and Japanese culture, this app excels in making language learning an enjoyable experience for kids. With multiple quizzes and exercises that adapt to the learner’s progress, FluentU is ideal for kids who are highly tech-savvy. Who would have thought that watching a video of Pikachu dancing could teach your child Japanese? Welcome to the 21st century, dear parents!
Features
- From music videos and movie trailers to TV commercials, FluentU turns everyday video content into language learning experiences.
- Integrates familiar visuals with foreign language learning, which can boost retention.
- Tracks progress and adjusts to personal learning speed.
Pricing
- Free 14-day trial.
- Monthly subscription: $29.99
- Yearly subscription: $143.99
Devices: Android, iOS, web.
Why Should Kids Learn Japanese?
Learning new languages at a young age has many proven benefits. And young minds are especially good at language learning due to their brain’s neuroplasticity, so it’s always a good idea to start early.
The Japanese language can be a door to many opportunities for children in the future. Job hunting can be easier for bilingual people, and Japan can be a great place for doing business. Japanese is also not a tonal language, although its writing system, which mixes kanji, hiragana and katakana, takes time to learn.
And thinking about children’s interests, wouldn’t it be great if they could watch their favorite anime or read their favorite manga directly in Japanese?
Which App For Learning Japanese For Kids Should You Choose?
Just as there are many paths to the top of Mount Fuji, there’s a multitude of ways for kids to master Japanese. Each path, or in our case, each app, offers something unique and perfectly tailored to different learning styles and preferences.
Is your child happily practicing hiragana with the Ling app? Or perhaps they’re cozying up with the friendly owl on Duolingo, racking up ‘XP’ while your heart swells with pride. Maybe the film clips on FluentU have entranced them, making every arigatou sound as magical as a Ghibli movie. Pick the app that matches how your child likes to learn, and switch if it stops being fun.
Frequently Asked Questions About Apps For Learning Japanese For Kids
What Is The Best App To Learn Japanese For Kids?
It depends on how your child likes to learn. Ling is best for interactive tasks and conversation practice, Duolingo for general vocabulary and grammar, Japanesepod101 for listening, Mindsnacks for vocabulary games, Rosetta Stone for immersion and FluentU for learning through real videos.
Is Japanese Hard For Kids To Learn?
Japanese is not a tonal language, which helps, but its writing system mixes kanji, hiragana and katakana, so reading and writing take time. Young learners tend to pick up new languages well, so starting early is a good idea.
Can Kids Learn Japanese With An App Alone?
Apps make practice fun and regular, but none can guarantee fluency overnight. Patience, consistency and interaction with native speakers are key, so pair the app with real conversations, songs or shows in Japanese.
Help Your Child Learn Japanese With Ling
Here at Ling, we think the best approach to learning languages is a holistic one, so the Ling app works on vocabulary, listening and writing together. With flashcards and native speaker audio, fun mini-games, Dialog for conversation practice and writing lessons for the Japanese script, your child can learn a little every day.
Start learning Japanese with Ling today and let your little language maestro say konnichiwa to a whole new world!
