No Babbel Japanese Course? Try These 6+ Japanese Free Courses & Resources.

If you’re looking for Babbel Japanese…

Sadly, the language is not available on this language learning app.

That’s the current state of things in 2022.

Luckily, the internet has no shortage of other Japanese apps and programs.

In this guide, I’ll introduce you to some of the best alternatives to Babbel Japanese… so that you can get to learning this language. Ready?

Let’s jump in.

1. JapanesePod101

japanesepod101

JapanesePod101 is a popular Japanese learning system with audio and video courses.

Each lesson (about 5-10 minutes long) teaches you a quick conversation. For example, ordering food, chatting with friends, introducing yourself, and so on. Then, the teachers explain the grammar rules. And, you walk away knowing a practical dialog and you’re ready to speak. There’s a boatload of conversational lessons like this… so if you want to get exposure to native Japanese speech… without hiring a professional teacher just yet… then this is a great option.

The system guides you from lesson 1 to 2 to 3… and covers all learning levels from Beginner to Advanced.

In my opinion, it’s one of the better ways to learn, understand, and speak REAL Japanese… because you’re exposed to native speakers… and not “robotic” voices or AI-made sentences.

2. Anki

anki

  • Overall comment: Great study tool to use along with a textbook or learning program.
  • Strength: Memorization and drilling.
  • Type: App/software.
  • Cost: Free, iOS app is $25 but well worth the money.
  • Click here to check out Anki.

Anki is a “spaced repetition” app/software that’s great for drilling words, phrases, kanji, grammar rules, and anything else you can stick on a flashcard.

What’s the big deal with Anki and flashcards?

Well, spaced repetition is a learning style where the app repeatedly drills you… so that you don’t forget what you learn. Think about it, how many hours have you spent reading Japanese textbooks, watching YouTube videos and learning new words… only to forget them a day later? Too many, right?

Well, that’s the power of Anki.

3. NHK News Web Easy

news web easy

NHK News Web Easy is a free news website that’s written in… EASY JAPANESE.

And, they publish new articles all… the… time.

So, if you’re a beginner that has a grasp on the Japanese alphabet and some Kanji, then this is a wonderful resource for reading. In fact, I used to use it often too.

What’s nice is that each article also contains audio (albeit it’s a robot/automated voice) to help you read through. There’s also furigana on top of the Kanji to help you read through the Kanji. I think if you’re to spend  5 to 10 minutes reading this daily, you’ll definitely pick up a lot of Japanese.

4. Duolingo Japanese

  • Overall comment: Good supplemental resource.
  • Strength: Vocabulary. Game-like approach.
  • Type: Website & app.
  • Cost: Free with paid options.
  • Click here to check out Duolingo.

Duolingo is another popular app, and even though there’s no Babbel Japanese…

…there is Japanese for Duolingo.

Doolingo is an app that gives you matching games, fill-in-the-blanks, arranging words into full sentences, and other fun little exercises to learn Japanese words and phrases. It has a very game-like design and approach, making it quite addictive to do the vocabulary puzzles. And overall, that’s what you’ll do – learn words and phrases. I think it makes a great companion app for whatever main program or textbook you’re using.

5. Bunpro

bunpro

Learning grammar is a mission and a half with any language.

Some people prefer to learn grammar rules through repeated exposure… whether by reading or listening to audio. Some people, like myself, prefer to tackle grammar rules head on and understand them before anything else. And that’s where Bunpro comes in. It teaches grammar rules, provides examples, and then tests you… with similar exercises that you’d see in Duolingo. So, if Duolingo is for words, then Bunpro is for grammar.

This is a good supplemental resource for learners of all levels. Grammar is what helps you sound perfect in Japanese and helps you express yourself in all kinds of ways. So, I’m a fan.

6. Learn Japanese!! App

 

Learning to write Japanese is also another mission… and one that most Japanese learning apps and programs fail at.

Except this one — Learn Japanese!! The app with 2 exclamation marks.

And that’s because you can use your smartphone and finger to write out the Japanese characters. And you can go on to learn the whole shebang — the Hiragana and Katakana.

  • As a side-note, if you want printable resources to learn to write Japanese, I recommend Japanese worksheets.

After that, the App takes you into learning basic words  and Kanji while quizzing you along the way. A great Babbel Japanese alternative and a Duolingo Japanese competitor as well!

Back to You — Conclusion

There may be on Babbel Japanese but that shouldn’t stop you from learning Japanese.

There’s no shortage of awesome Japanese learning apps, courses, websites, and textbooks.

If you’re a beginner, my suggestion to you is not to worry about “the best” resource. Just pick one, start and don’t look back. Later on, when you improve and have new needs, then you’ll want to get picky with resources. So, don’t worry about “the best” way to start because it’s a good way to ruin your progress if you study Japanese yourself.