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Have you ever ever began to really feel assured about your Japanese capability, solely to attempt to activate a Japanese film or TV present and never perceive greater than a smattering of phrases? Don’t be concerned, that is completely regular. Listening may be one of the vital troublesome abilities to enhance, however fortunately, like several ability you simply want extra follow.
Podcasts are nice for this. There’s an enormous choice of free podcasts, comprising hours and hours of listening materials, throughout a variety of subjects and types. Due to all this, it is by no means been simpler to enhance your listening capability, regardless of the place you might be.
Beforehand, I rounded up a handful of what I felt had been among the finest beginner-level Japanese podcasts round. This time, I am again with one other group, for intermediate Japanese learners. When you’re able to take your listening follow up a notch, have a look under at among the finest choices obtainable!
What Makes a Good Podcast?
It is higher to have very excessive comprehension than one thing it’s a must to battle with to parse a single sentence.
Much like final time, let’s speak about what makes a podcast good. For our functions, I particularly imply what makes a podcast good follow. I believe there’s type of a sweet-spot for nearly all follow supplies. They need to be at or solely barely above your present capability degree, in order that your comprehension stays excessive — it is higher to have very excessive comprehension than one thing it’s a must to battle with to parse a single sentence. Moreover, it must be fascinating sufficient that you just stay engaged and wish to hear. When you’re bored to tears, you may most likely cease actively listening, which defeats the purpose of the follow within the first place. In fact, the type of content material that you will discover fascinating is completely different for everybody, which is among the causes I’ve collected a listing: that means, everybody can discover one thing they wish to hearken to.
It must be fascinating sufficient that you just stay engaged and wish to hear.
Past that, all the identical kinds of common podcast standards apply. How lengthy are episodes normally? Are the host or hosts ‘ voices clear and straightforward to grasp? How is the discharge schedule? Whereas these are the identical kinds of issues you would possibly take into consideration when in search of a brand new podcast in your native language, they’re solely extra essential when in search of podcasts in a language you are studying. In spite of everything, how are you going to hope to check when you’ve got a tough time making out the dialogue?
In fact, I attempted to select podcasts that I felt already matched this standards. Moreover, I regarded for collection with a big catalog of episodes, frequent launch schedules, or each. That means, you may be certain you will not run out of episodes to hearken to too rapidly, permitting you the time you could get accustomed to one thing in order that it is pretty much as good a follow as it may be.
When writing about newbie podcasts, most tended to comply with the identical kinds of tips. Most collection had been hosted by a single individual, who spoke comparatively slowly, on a wide range of subjects for only some minutes at a time. Whereas this makes for a straightforward transition into listening follow, most often, it is one thing I anticipate learners to progress past pretty rapidly.
Intermediate podcasts can function a number of hosts, extra centered subjects, and longer episodes.
Fortunately, as soon as you progress as much as intermediate podcasts, they change into a lot broader. From podcasts with a number of hosts, a extra centered subject, and longer episodes, I discover these to be rather more partaking.
Nonetheless the main focus is on immersion. And with that in thoughts, be light with your self. Listening is tough! Like studying a e book in one other language, I discover it takes time to settle into the speech patterns and rhythms of anybody new you are listening to, even in a comparatively managed setting like a podcast. You would possibly really feel out of your depth with a few of these at first, however keep it up, and see if it will get simpler a number of episodes in. Hopefully you may simply regulate as you are in a position to hear extra, and might return by means of these early episodes later, or if not, be happy to leap again all the way down to the newbie suggestions in the interim. Language studying is a course of, and one with many various domains, and a journey that is not at all times linear. Simply be diligent, and you will get there.
In comparison with the newcomers podcasts, these intermediate podcasts have a wider vary of problem, subjects, type, and extra. I’ve finished my finest to group them roughly by problem, however know that this is not an actual science. What’s simpler for one individual is likely to be harder for one more, and that is completely regular.
On this first group, the podcasts nonetheless have a tendency to supply some type of assist to Japanese learners, be it within the type of slowed speech, simpler subjects, and shorter episodes, they characterize step one up in problem from the newbie tier.
Simple Japanese
Simple Japanese is a podcast YouTube channel that is additionally obtainable on a variety of podcast companies, geared toward offering follow for Japanese learners across the N3 degree. The intro guarantees no script, no enhancing, simply pure, easy Japanese, and that is what’s offered. Began in January of 2021, hosts Masa and Asami have now logged lots of of podcasts between then and now, overlaying a variety of subjects. There isn’t any English used, however as an alternative the hosts attempt to follow easy phrases, or clarify ideas in easy phrases when crucial. Since launching, the podcast has change into a video podcast on YouTube, and each episode from the very starting has labored nicely with the closed-captioning offered on YouTube if you would like to have a look at subtitles whilst you hear. Moreover, the pair livestreams twice-weekly, including much more content material to an already wealthy archive.
Amongst a crowded and ever-growing podcast pool for Japanese language learners, Simple Japanese manages to face out as an especially high-quality and helpful useful resource for Japanese learners. By catering to Intermediate learners relatively than absolute newcomers, they’ve created a useful resource with a for much longer shelf life, whereas nonetheless being pretty accessible. Simple Japanese type of strides the proper stability between pure, unscripted speech, whereas nonetheless being clear, articulate, and easy sufficient to be understandable to a lot of college students. This can be a nice providing for anybody in search of a bit extra follow, and actually, who is not?
| What kind of subjects do they cowl? | Numerous, from “Summer time Solstice” to “College Entrance Ceremony“ |
| Is it scripted or unscripted? | Unscripted |
| Is it a monologue, or dialog? | Monologue within the early episodes, dialog within the later episodes |
| Is there a transcript or accompanying materials? | Transcript (Free), however solely within the YouTube Closed Captioning |
| What is the common size of an episode? | ~10 minutes |
Ian’s Assessment
Simple Japanese is a good podcast for intermediate learners in search of some high-quality listening follow. It’s clear how a lot the hosts Masa and Asami care concerning the present, with a robust emphasis positioned on manufacturing worth. I discover they’re each very straightforward to hearken to (because the title implies!) whereas nonetheless remaining partaking and considerate. Particularly for learners trying to get into conversation-style podcasts, Simple Japanese is a straightforward suggestion.
Be taught Japanese with Noriko
Following the mould of nice podcasts hosted by Japanese lecturers, Be taught Japanese with Noriko isn’t any exception. Up to date virtually every-other day, Be taught Japanese with Noriko has grown to over 100 episodes, and has a second season.
Noriko-sensei’s podcast is one other monologue-style collection, however her speech is just barely slowed. For probably the most half, her speech will not be restricted by grammar, vocabulary, or velocity, making it good follow for intermediate learners. Moreover, because the episodes are nearer to 10 minutes every, it permits you to settle into the examine a bit extra, and forces you to remain engaged.
Moreover, there’s a Patreon the place members are given entry to a wider vary of transcripts and episodes.
| What kind of subjects do they cowl? | Numerous, from “Netflix’s ‘Outdated Sufficient’” to the JLPT |
| Is it scripted or unscripted? | Unscripted |
| Is it a monologue, or dialog? | Monologue |
| Is there a transcript or accompanying materials? | Transcript (Some Free, Some Paid) |
| What is the common size of an episode? | ~10 minutes |
Ian’s Assessment
Be taught Japanese with Noriko is one other nice entry into the world of Japanese language studying podcasts. As a Japanese instructor, she’s in a position to stay thoughtful of learners’ talents, whereas not proscribing her personal speech a lot to make the podcast stale. I want the manufacturing high quality was a bit greater, as Noriko’s voice sounds a bit tinny, however it’s not too troublesome to get used to it.
Considering in Japanese
Considering in Japanese, a podcast by Iisaku, deviates from the usual Japanese language studying podcast in a number of key methods. For one, whereas Iisaku speaks slowly, they accomplish that by pausing extra between phrases and phrases, relatively than slowing down their total speech like another podcasts do, which is extra pure and makes it simpler to grasp. Secondly, relatively than among the generic kinds of subjects mentioned in different Japanese language studying podcasts, or just chatting, Iisaku covers each subjects in Japanese language studying, corresponding to Japanese pronunciation and tips about particular forms of follow, and philosophical discussions from their perspective. Due to this, it is type of like a language studying multiplier: you are training by listening, and by listening, you would possibly study one thing new about Japanese follow too!
Whereas the manufacturing high quality is nothing to put in writing house about, Iisaku additionally affords a patreon for $5/month to offer listeners entry to vocabulary lists and bonus articles. Considering in Japanese is a singular podcast, pairing beginner-friendly pacing and vocabulary with fascinating ideas meant to broaden your language capability by means of the content material in itself. For language learners who love the method of studying, Considering in Japanese is a good possibility.
Ian’s Assessment
I actually like Considering in Japanese. Whereas the speech is certainly slowed, the superior and fascinating subjects and vocabulary greater than make up for it. When you discover this type of dialogue fascinating, you’ll definitely discover Considering in Japanese to be value your time. In spite of everything, the most effective listening follow is the one you wish to do!
On this group, the secret is velocity. Not “quick,” after all, however these podcasts are the primary within the intermediate tier to get nearer to native velocity. Moreover, lots of the episodes are typically longer, in order that they require you to carry your consideration for an extended time period.
I believe you possibly can consider listening follow type of like music follow. You would possibly begin actually gradual, simply ensuring you are not going to make any errors, after which slowly improve the velocity as your talents improve. And with these podcasts that anticipate you to do this for longer, or are conversations, or use extra difficult grammar and vocabulary, that makes it much more of a problem.
Nihongo Con Teppei
When you’ve heard of any Japanese podcast for language learners, likelihood is it’s Nihongo Con Teppei. Along with being a local Japanese speaker, Teppei speaks Spanish and English, the previous of which being the place the title comes from (“con” which means “with” in Spanish).
After beginning the collection a number of years in the past, Teppei has gone on to report virtually a podcast a day, resulting in lots of and lots of of episodes, and even a newbie and superior collection, together with collaborative podcasts with different lecturers like Noriko sensei.
The subjects coated in Nihongo Con Teppei are various, and episodes are likely to run on the longer aspect, with many clocking in round 20 minutes. His speech varies too, from barely slowed to regular velocity.
Teppei does a very good job as host, and stays fascinating and interesting no matter subject. He’s humorous, and a number of other recurring jokes assist give Nihongo Con Teppei such a welcoming ambiance. For Japanese learners in search of extra immersion materials, Teppei is tough to beat.
| What kind of subjects do they cowl? | Numerous, from “The Greatest Method to Research” to “The Stage of Languages“ |
| Is it scripted or unscripted? | Unscripted |
| Is it a monologue, or dialog? | Monologue |
| Is there a transcript or accompanying materials? | None |
| What is the common size of an episode? | ~quarter-hour |
Ian’s Assessment
When you’ve ever regarded for Japanese language studying podcast suggestions, likelihood is you’ve come throughout Nihongo Con Teppei. And with good cause! Teppei is humorous and interesting, and with lots of of hours of free audio content material unfold throughout a number of completely different skill-levels, there’s one thing for everybody. Teppei’s intermediate podcast, the common Nihongo Con Teppei is a staple of examine routines in every single place, and appears more likely to stay that means.
The Actual Japanese Podcast
The Actual Japanese Podcast, launched in 2020, is a monologue-style podcast hosted by Japanese instructor Haruka. The podcasts are likely to mirror movies from her YouTube channel, the place she spends time talking unscripted on a sure subject. Regardless of this, transcripts can be found must you wish to examine your comprehension, or learn alongside.
Whereas the format is much like different monologue-style podcasts, Haruka’s pure velocity and unscripted speech make this podcast nicely value your time. She talks about occasions from her life, corresponding to time spent overseas in Canada, private takes on social points, in addition to common curiosity subjects on Japan and Japanese tradition. This extra private contact makes The Actual Japanese Podcast really feel extra tailored relatively than how different collection can really feel scattershot at instances, and retains the dialog partaking even for those who’re not nicely versed on the subject.
Lastly, her pure speech makes this an important hear for intermediate Japanese learners. With a lot of a give attention to beginner-level supplies, it may be onerous to seek out one thing that’s nicely suited to intermediate learners, however The Actual Japanese Podcast undoubtedly matches the invoice.
| What kind of subjects do they cowl? | Life occasions, private takes on social points, and common Japan-related subjects, corresponding to “Manga Cafe” and “Male and Feminine Speech in Japanese“ |
| Is it scripted or unscripted? | Unscripted |
| Is it a monologue, or dialog? | Monologue |
| Is there a transcript or accompanying materials? | Transcript (Free) |
| What is the common size of an episode? | ~quarter-hour |
Ian’s Assessment
The Actual Japanese Podcast is a strong addition to the rising subject of intermediate-focused Japanese podcasts. Whereas the format could be very acquainted to Japanese learners at this level, her private have a look at subjects and pure speech elevates this podcast amongst a few of its friends.
The Miku Actual Japanese Podcast
To not be confused with “The Actual Japanese Podcast,” The Miku Actual Japanese Podcast comes from the host of widespread Japanese language studying channel, Miku Actual Japanese, who we wrote about for our YouTube Grammar Channel suggestions article.
Like her glorious YouTube channel, her podcast can be very high-quality. Fairly than give attention to grammar or a smattering of subjects, The Miku Actual Japanese Podcast options lots of fascinating conversations with visitors that Miku is aware of. There’s one about life in Okinawa for instance, and a couple of episode about Miku’s experiences residing overseas.
Episodes are likely to run barely on the longer aspect, with these conversations coming in round half-hour a bit. There are additionally a sprinkling of different episodes Miku hosts alone within the combine, typically nearer to about 10 minutes.
For intermediate Japanese learners trying to get into dialog follow or begin listening comprehension follow with a couple of individual, The Miku Actual Japanese podcast is an effective way to broaden your horizons.
| What kind of subjects do they cowl? | Primarily conversations, corresponding to “Why do Okinawa folks dwell lengthy? With Kiki-san“ |
| Is it scripted or unscripted? | Unscripted |
| Is it a monologue, or dialog? | Each monologues and conversations |
| Is there a transcript or accompanying materials? | None |
| What is the common size of an episode? | ~10 minutes (with conversations operating longer, generally round half-hour) |
Ian’s Assessment
Very similar to her YouTube channel, I believe The Miku Actual Japanese Podcast is nice. These kinds of lengthy conversations are troublesome to seek out elsewhere at this degree. Miku does an important job of preserving issues comparatively straightforward to grasp, whereas not limiting her or her visitors’ speech an excessive amount of, and nonetheless making the conversations enjoyable and fascinating to hearken to. I solely want there have been extra episodes!
YUYUの日本語 Podcast
Launched in January of 2021, YUYU’s podcast and YouTube channel have since exploded with new content material, and constructed up a ton of latest followers alongside the best way. Host YUYU is a Japanese instructor, who by means of a vtuber avatar does lengthy dwell streams on YouTube amongst different content material.
THe podcast is equally broad. There are episodes on Japanese historical past, Japanese language, and naturally popular culture, which is probably the content material YUYU has change into most well-known for.
Episodes fluctuate wildly in size, with some as brief as 10 minutes, all the best way as much as a half-hour or extra. YUYU is a sort and considerate host, with very clear audio, and an easy-to-understand means of talking. When you’re trying to get your popular culture repair whilst you examine, look no additional than YUYUの日本語 Podcast.
| What kind of subjects do they cowl? | Japanese tradition, historical past, and popular culture, corresponding to “Three quotes from the Monogatari collection that saved my life“ |
| Is it scripted or unscripted? | Unscripted |
| Is it a monologue, or dialog? | Monologue |
| Is there a transcript or accompanying materials? | Transcript (Free) through YouTube CC or Subtitles on sure movies |
| What is the common size of an episode? | ~half-hour |
Ian’s Assessment
Whereas it’s not uncommon anymore to seek out Japanese lecturers who will speak about popular culture, it’s uncommon to seek out somebody who expresses the identical type of earnest enjoyment and enthusiasm concerning the subject corresponding to YUYU. This infuses the podcasts with lots of enjoyable, and naturally retains them very partaking for those who share the identical pursuits. Listening to YUYU seems like listening to a buddy, which is concerning the highest praise I can bestow.
On this last part, your talents will actually be examined. These podcasts function conversations at or almost at native velocity, or are merely made for native Japanese listeners. With that, this part is a little bit of a problem, at instances pushing past the “intermediate” label. However don’t be concerned. If a few of these are too troublesome now, with diligent follow, earlier than you understand it they will be a bit of cake. Simply be sure you’re not pushing too far, and as an alternative discovering one thing level-appropriate to work by means of constantly.
Japanese with Teppei and Noriko
When you’ve regarded into podcasts for Japanese language learners earlier than, you’re most likely conversant in each Teppei and Noriko sensei. However do you know they’ve a collaborative podcast? Nicely, they do, and it lives as much as the standard you’d anticipate from this pair of veteran podcasters.
As you would possibly anticipate, this podcast is similar to their solo work, that includes a wide range of subjects. Nonetheless, with the each of them they focus on these subjects at roughly pure velocity, making this podcast extra suited to intermediate learners relatively than newcomers.
Like some comparable podcasts, it’s an important possibility for these struggling to grasp native conversations, although it most likely shouldn’t be your first follow on this subject.
| What kind of subjects do they cowl? | Numerous, from “About Warmth” to “About Earthquakes“ |
| Is it scripted or unscripted? | Unscripted |
| Is it a monologue, or dialog? | Dialog |
| Is there a transcript or accompanying materials? | None |
| What is the common size of an episode? | ~20 minutes |
Ian’s Assessment
On this podcast, Teppei and Noriko mix their powers to make a podcast for Japanese learners trying to step up their listening comprehension sport. Not like their solo podcasts, I discover this one to be a bit harder, with the velocity of their dialog, and the interjections, however since they’re each lecturers, they nonetheless do a very good job at ensuring it’s not inaccessible.
4989 American Life Podcast
Borrowing their title from a Japanese idiom pronounced “shikuhakku,” which implies “battle” or “struggling,” 4989 American Life Podcast goals to explain the difficulties of being a Japanese individual residing in America. But it surely’s not all doom and gloom; really, 4989 American Life is a captivating have a look at among the cultural variations between Japan and the US.
Made primarily for native Japanese audio system, you received’t discover very a lot right here to assist Japanese learners, although extra just lately transcripts for the episodes have been added to the official web site. As an alternative, 4989 American Life is nearly like a listening comprehension take a look at. However don’t get discouraged!
Host Utako speaks clearly, although at regular velocity. She has some fascinating insights into residing overseas, which is likely to be useful to those that hope to dwell in Japan sooner or later. Episodes are likely to run about half-hour, so buckle in, and let’s put our listening to the take a look at.
| What kind of subjects do they cowl? | Numerous subjects about life overseas within the US, corresponding to “American Eating places“ |
| Is it scripted or unscripted? | Unscripted |
| Is it a monologue, or dialog? | Monologue |
| Is there a transcript or accompanying materials? | Transcript (Free) |
| What is the common size of an episode? | ~half-hour |
Ian’s Assessment
4989 American Life is a extremely fascinating podcast, and stands considerably alone on this record. Meant for native Japanese audio system, 4989 American Life is among the most difficult podcasts beneficial to Japanese learners. Even so, it’s made to be understandable, so keep it up for those who’re having hassle. What you’ll discover is an fascinating have a look at cultural variations between Japan and the US, and a few severe follow to your listening talents, as nicely.
Let’s Be taught Japanese from Small Discuss
When you’re in search of a podcast that gives genuine, on a regular basis Japanese, we suggest you try Let’s Be taught Japanese From Small Discuss! The podcast is hosted by two native audio system of Japanese, and so they cowl a variety of fascinating subjects about fashionable life in Japan. We coated this podcast in one other Japanese Studying Sources article a yr in the past, however it has actually come into its personal since then!
Certainly one of my favourite issues concerning the podcast is how nicely the hosts present vocabulary assist for listeners. As an alternative of simplifying their Japanese, they supply English translations of adverse phrases, or clarify what phrases imply utilizing different phrases in Japanese. On the finish of every episode, one of many hosts slowly pronounces every phrase coated within the episode, leaving sufficient time in between for listeners to pronounce the phrases after her. Vocabulary lists for every episode are posted on the podcast weblog, which makes this a extremely nice examine software!
I might suggest this podcast to upper-intermediate and superior learners, nevertheless a extra newbie degree learner might attempt finding out the vocabulary record earlier than listening to the podcast to see whether it is extra accessible that means. In any case, for those who’re in want of an pleasant and informative Japanese podcast, give it a shot!
| What kind of subjects do they cowl? | Numerous, from “Our Working Lives” to “Not too long ago Seen Films and Magazines“ |
| Is it scripted or unscripted? | Unscripted |
| Is it a monologue, or dialog? | Dialog |
| Is there a transcript or accompanying materials? | Vocab lists (Free) |
| What is the common size of an episode? | ~half-hour |
Ian’s Assessment
Let’s Be taught Japanese from Small Discuss is lots of enjoyable. Initially began whereas the hosts had been finding out overseas in London, the present has continued into their grownup lives. As two mates, the conversations they’ve are very pure and easy-flowing, making this about as near a local dialog along with your friends as you may get. That stated, they do present vocabulary lists, and break down phrases or phrases occasionally.
Conclusion
Hopefully you’ve got seen the big selection of podcasts obtainable for intermediate Japanese language learners and past. This record contains a bigger vary of problem than my earlier newbie degree roundup, so hopefully there’s a number of podcasts right here that may take you from intermediate into superior.
I believe the most effective listening follow is the one you wish to do, so if there is a podcast with hosts or subjects you want, settle in. That means, you may keep engaged and actively listening, getting probably the most to your follow. That stated, do not be afraid to readjust to seek out one thing extra suited to your degree. When you’re struggling to grasp every sentence, that is most likely a very good signal you need to attempt one thing a bit simpler for some time as you construct up your talents.
Hopefully between this record and the newbie model, you’ve got discovered one thing that strikes your fancy, and even higher for those who’ve discovered a number of podcasts you are serious about that you may comply with alongside throughout your journey. Go for a pleasant stroll, and get training!
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