Anyone who has ever watched Japanese anime or manga has likely had the thought to learn Japanese. That way, you can watch the original Japanese language versions as soon as they are released, without the need for subtitles. Learning the language from media alone would be quite difficult, so many people would have searched for Babbel Japanese lessons or something along those lines.
Unfortunately, Babbel does not offer Japanese lessons on their platform, so would-be Japanese learners will have to look elsewhere to experience their media as originally intended.
What Is This About Babbel Not Having Japanese Lessons?
Yeah, it is an unfortunate oversight on Babbel’s part that they have not offered Japanese lessons through their software. I have seen many people online who have expressed interest in learning the language, so why is Babbel, one of the most well-known languages learning applications, not offering it?
It Can Be A Complicated Language
Did you know that the Japanese make use of three different writing styles? While each has its own uses, they are all relevant when learning the language. In fact, almost every sentence in the language will have some kind of mixture of these writing systems. Add into this the fact that there are thousands of kanji characters (though not all are commonly used) and you have a big challenge ahead of you.
I would imagine that creating lessons that cover all three scripts and any variants would be very difficult and time-consuming. Babbel prides itself on promoting real-world usage, which is very difficult to attain with a language like Japanese. I hope this does not deter anyone looking to learn Japanese, but it is worth pointing out.
Too Much Competition
The popularity of learning Japanese may actually be a hindrance to Babbel. More popularity for learning a language means more competition. More competition means fewer people will likely end up using Babbel’s option.
Ultimately, it comes down to the numbers. If Babbel thinks that the investment into researching, developing, and maintaining a Babbel Japanese app is not worth the return on investment they are projecting, then it is likely that there will be no Babbel Japanese lessons anytime soon.
What Are The Alternatives To Babbel?
Ling
I am glad you asked. There is one very obvious recommendation that can be made here, and that is the Ling Japanese app. Ling uses native Japanese speakers to help you learn Japanese, just like it will sound in the country.
Through the gamification of learning, it also makes the whole process much more engaging. You can see yourself progress as you make your way through the different topics and tests that come along with it.
Then there is the chatbot feature that simulates conversations and makes for great practicing your Japanese language skills. For an introvert like me, it helps to build up my courage to eventually feel confident enough to use it when out and about.
While these mobile apps do share a common goal of making language learning fun and accessible, what sets Ling apart is the focus on practical vocabulary, sentences, and phrases that you will use in everyday speech.
Simply Learn
This one is actually a part of the same family as Ling. Simply Learn Japanese is a phrasebook in app form, giving you all the benefits that come with that. You can listen to the words and phrases being spoken by native Japanese speakers, along with the Japanese and phonetic spellings of the words.
It makes for a great companion both when practicing and when you are in Japan. It makes use of flashcards and the spaced repetition learning technique that is said to really improve language learning.
It may not be the top choice if you want a deep understanding of the language but helps you start out with pronunciation and basic grammar like word order.
Other Resources
There are quite a few different apps and websites that work great in helping you to learn Japanese. Each one goes about its own way to replace the hole made by the lack of Japanese on Babbel. Ultimately, it is a case of finding which option works best for your case.
Like we said before, it is good to make a language learning plan and mix things up if you are serious about learning Japanese. If you are just looking for a more casual experience to learn a few phrases before traveling, then apps might be the best option for you.
Don’t Delay Learning Japanese
In the end, it is just one option that is out of the window. Babbel is good and all, but it is but a drop in the ocean of great language learning possibilities. Take the Ling app for example it provides an all-round experience that is more engaging and makes language learning that bit more fun. If Ling isn’t right for you, then there are still many options that are just a simple search away. Don’t let your passion to learn Japanese go away – get started while you are still inspired. That way, you will be more likely to succeed on your journey.
