How to Learn English from Scratch: A Beginner’s Guide for Japanese Speakers

Hi new friend! I’m Kiki, your guide through this exciting journey of learning English from scratch. Working at a cafe, I know how overwhelming learning a new language can be, especially when you’re diving into everyday conversation. But don’t worry—I’m here to make it all easier and more fun! Together, we’ll break down each step. Ready to start your English adventure? Let’s get moving!

First Things First: Let’s Talk About Pronunciation

The way you pronounce words in English can change the meaning entirely. Even if you have perfect grammar, mispronounced words might cause confusion. Let’s break it down step by step, focusing on the sounds that often trip up Japanese speakers.

The Key English Sounds: The Tricky Ones

1. The “R” Sound: The Robot that Moves

In English, the “r” sound is rolled with the tongue slightly touching the roof of your mouth, which is different from the Japanese “r.” Practice makes perfect here!

• Example: “red” vs. “led”
  • Try saying “red” and make sure your tongue is in the right position, rolling just a little bit.
  • The word “led” is different because there’s no tongue roll.

2. The “L” Sound: Light and Clear

In Japanese, the “l” sound isn’t quite the same as in English, so it’s important to focus on how you position your tongue.

• Example: “light” vs. “right”
  • For “light,” your tongue should be just behind your top teeth, lightly tapping the roof of your mouth.
  • With “right,” the tongue moves more toward the back of your mouth, giving it a distinct sound.

3. The “TH” Sound: Think Without Fear

This sound doesn’t exist in Japanese, but no worries—it’s not as hard as it sounds! You just need to get your tongue in between your teeth for the perfect “th.”

• Example: “think” vs. “sink”
  • For “think,” stick your tongue out slightly between your teeth and blow out air. For “sink,” just pronounce the “s” sound instead.

Practice Pronunciation the Fun Way

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With AI tools like Praktika, you get instant help to improve your pronunciation in real-time. You can practice over and over, with no judgement. Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Repeat After Your AI Tutor: Mimic the correct pronunciation after your AI English tutor. The more you repeat, the more natural it will feel!
• Record Yourself: Use the recording feature to compare your pronunciation with the AI’s. It’s like having your own language coach in your pocket!
• Focus on One Sound at a Time: Don’t rush! Choose one sound to focus on each day, like “r” or “l,” and practice it in sentences.

Sentence Structure: Building the Framework

In English, sentences generally follow a simple pattern: Subject + Verb + Object (SVO). Once you get the hang of this basic structure, you can easily form clear and complete sentences. It’s like assembling the skeleton of a robot—simple but strong!

• Subject: This is who or what the sentence is about (like “I,” “she,” or “the robot”).
• Verb: This is what the subject is doing (like “run,” “eat,” or “build”).
• Object: This is what the action is happening to (like “a sandwich,” “a car,” or “a house”).

Example 1: I Eat Pizza

• Subject: “I”
• Verb: “eat”
• Object: “pizza”

Example 2: She Builds Robots

• Subject: “She”
• Verb: “builds”
• Object: “robots”

It’s that easy! With just these three parts, you can start forming your basic English sentences.

Expanding Beyond the Basics

Once you’ve nailed the basic structure, it’s time to level up! English sentences can include more than just a subject, verb, and object. By adding adjectives, adverbs, and more details, you can make your sentences more colorful and exciting.

• Adding Adjectives: Descriptive words to explain things.
  • Example: “I (subject) eat (verb) a delicious (adjective) pizza (object).”
  • Now your sentence paints a picture!
• Adding Adverbs: Words that tell us how, when, or where something happens.
  • Example: “She (subject) builds (verb) robots (object) quickly (adverb).”
  • Now, we know she’s building robots at lightning speed!

Fun Practice Ideas to Make Sure it Sticks

• Practice with Real-Life Situations: Try making sentences about things around you. For example, look at your desk and say: “I have a pencil.” Or describe your favorite food: “I eat pizza every Friday.”
• Roleplay with AI: Use Praktika’s interactive lessons to practice conversations. Start with short sentences and gradually make them longer. Your AI tutor will provide feedback to help you get it just right!

Grammar Isn’t Scary!

Grammar often gets a bad rap. For many, it’s the part of English that feels the most intimidating. But fear not! Grammar is just a set of rules that help you build strong, clear sentences. Once you break it down into smaller, manageable pieces, you’ll realize it’s not that scary at all. 

Verb Tenses: The Key to Talking About Time

The first thing to understand is how English speakers talk about time. That’s where verb tenses come in. You’ll be able to talk about things happening now, in the past, or in the future. Ready? Let’s break it down!

• Present Tense: Use this to talk about things happening right now or regularly.
  • Example: “I eat sushi every week.” (You do it regularly.)
• Past Tense: Use this to talk about things that already happened.
  • Example: “I ate sushi yesterday.” (It happened in the past.)
• Future Tense: Use this to talk about things that will happen later.
  • Example: “I will eat sushi tomorrow.” (It’s coming in the future.)

Try this quick challenge: Think of one sentence in the present, past, and future tense about something you do every day. Here’s an example:

• Present: “I read comics every day.”
• Past: “I read comics yesterday.”
• Future: “I will read comics tomorrow.”

Articles: A, An, and The

English also uses small words called articles to show whether we’re talking about something specific or general. They may seem tiny, but they help clarify meaning in every sentence.

• “A” and “An” are used for general things.
  • Example: “I saw a robot in the park.” (Any robot, not a specific one.)
  • Tip: Use “a” before consonant sounds (e.g., “a cat”) and “an” before vowel sounds (e.g., “an apple”).
• “The” is used when talking about something specific.
  • Example: “I saw the robot in the park.” (A particular robot you’re both thinking about.)

Prepositions: Where Things Happen

Prepositions tell us where things are, when they happen, or how they happen. You might know a few already—like in, on, and under. Let’s look at how to use them!

• Examples:
  • “The robot is on the table.”
  • “I work in a tech company.”
  • “I’ll meet you at 3 PM.”

You Have A Secret Weapon

Remember, learning grammar doesn’t have to be a solo mission! With tools like the Praktika app, you have a trusty AI sidekick to help you along the way. Your AI English tutor provides real-time feedback as you practice your grammar, helping you get it just right. It’s like having a grammar coach right in your pocket—ready to help whenever you need it!

• Pro Tip: Use Praktika’s interactive lessons to practice grammar in real-time. The app will guide you through sentence creation, using the right tenses, articles, and prepositions as you go.

Vocabulary: Start Small, Build Big

Now that you’ve got your pronunciation, sentence structure, and basic grammar in place, it’s time to move on to vocabulary! 

The Power of Everyday Vocabulary

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Common Vocabulary to Get You Going:

• “Hello”
• “Thank you”
• “Goodbye”
• “Sorry”
• “Please”
• “Yes” / “No”

These basic words will help you connect with others from the start. With Praktika, you can learn how to use them in real-life conversations with immediate feedback from your AI tutor!

Leveling Up Your Vocabulary

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, let’s level up! The key to expanding your vocabulary is learning words in context. Don’t just memorize words in isolation—learn how to use them in sentences and conversations.

• Example Sentences:
  • “I drink coffee every morning.”
  • “She works at a tech company.”
  • “They play soccer on weekends.”

Practical Tips for Vocabulary Retention

• Use Flashcards: Apps like Anki or Quizlet are great for reinforcing vocabulary. You can create your own flashcards or use ready-made ones to practice.
  • Tip: Review your flashcards every day to keep words fresh in your memory.
• Associate Words with Images: Instead of just memorizing words, associate them with pictures or objects around you. For example, when you learn the word “dog”, look at a picture of a dog or see one in real life.
• Use Vocabulary in Sentences: The more you practice new words in real sentences, the more likely you are to remember them. Praktika can help you practice this in real-time by offering examples and corrections.

Keep It Going: Stay Motivated with Fun Goals

The key to staying motivated is setting small, achievable goals and celebrating every win along the way. It’s not about being perfect right away; it’s about the progress you make every day!

Set Small, Fun Goals & Celebrate Every Win

Start by learning just 1 new word today, or have a short conversation with your AI tutor. The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel, and you’ll start seeing results faster than you think.

• Goal Ideas to Keep You Moving:
  • Learn a Word of the Day on Praktika and use it in a sentence.
  • Practice speaking for 5 minutes every day.
  • Master one new grammar rule each week.
  • Have a 10-minute conversation with your AI tutor.

When you achieve a goal, no matter how small, it’s time to celebrate! Whether it’s using a new word in a sentence or finally understanding a tricky grammar rule, every win gets you closer to fluency. And trust me, you’ll feel so proud of yourself!

Daily Practice Will Lead You to Success

Consistency is the magic ingredient. Make it a daily habit, and you’ll see noticeable progress. Even 10 minutes a day will make a huge difference in your English skills. With Praktika, you get personalized feedback, so you’ll always know exactly what to work on next.

Keep the Momentum Going

You’ve got the foundation, and now it’s time to build! With everything you’ve learned, the only thing left is to start putting it into practice. The Praktika app is here to guide you with personalized lessons, real conversations, and instant feedback every step of the way. See you in the app!