Online Resources for Kana Practice
Hiragana
Katakana
The Development of Hiragana from Kanji
The Development of Katakana from Kanji
For Genki Users |
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| A variety of exercises, online drills, printouts, etc. for students using the Genki textbook series | |
Genki Self-study Room |
Usagi chan's Resource Page |
Online Resources for Kana Practice |
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Hiragana |
Katakana |
The Development of Hiragana from Kanji
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The Development of Katakana from Kanji
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Dictionaries & Grammar Guides |
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| WWWJDIC | Jim Breen's EDICT dictionary file is the definitive Japanese - English data set, used by numerous apps and sites. His site includes a basic dictionary lookup, and you can find a list of external apps that make use of the file here. |
| Straigtforward and easy to use dictionary site | |
| A grammar guide outlining the general structure of Japanese grammar. | |
| The "Japanese Grammar Database" includes various grammar quizzes, including several keyed to the (old) JLPT exam | |
Assisted Reading for Japanese web pages |
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| Installing the following browser extensions will enable you to hover over unfamiliar terms with your mouse in order to be shown the readings, meaning, kanji explanation, etc. as you read: | |
Rikai-chan (Firefox, Thunderbird, Seamonkey) |
Rikai-kun (Chrome) |
| If you are using a different browser or are unable to install extenstions, the following sites will mimic the above effect by pasting the URL of the site you wish to read and viewing the page in an internal window: | |
| Rikai.com | |
Language Exchange |
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| Mixxer | Recommended -- Find a language partner and conduct language exchange via Skype |
| My Language Exchange | Connect with Japanese speakers for language exchange, including by text, e-mail, and voice chat |
| iTalki | Mainly for hiring online tutors, but also includes a section for connecting with other language learners to exchange language, either online or in person |
| Lang - 8 | Proofread others' English writing in exchange for having them proofread your writing in Japanese |
Flashcards/Online Drills |
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| If the eventual goal is fluency and active use of the language, I think rote memorization of the meanings of individual terms is actually one of the worst possible study strategies. It may help you prepare for a quiz, but it will probably not help you learn the language. Then again, sometimes prepping for a quiz is all you're after, and these sites can help: |
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| Online drills using an extensive library of user-created flashcard sets for language study | |
| Formerly "Flash Card Exchange," find many user-created flashcard sets, or contribute your own. | |
Kanji Drills |
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| Sorry, no links here. All of the problems with studying by the "flashcard" method are even more true of studying kanji. I see almost no value in studying kanji in isolation, outside of the context of Japanese words and sentences. |