Face-to-face classes available now - Learn Mandarin / Japanese / Korean in London - 0208 935 5183
Top 5 Podcasts for Japanese Learners
Have you started to learn Japanese and want to practice your listening skills but don't know what podcasts to listen to? Well, look no further! Here, we have curated a list of different podcast channels that vary in difficulty to practice your listening skills.
Bare in mind the further down the list you go, the difficulty of the Japanese podcasts becomes higher. But don't forget to challenge yourself! :D
5. FUN Japanese Listening
Length: Around 5 mins
Level: Beginner
User reviews: ️️️️️
Cultural Elements:
This podcast is hosted by Asuka sensei and has 20 episodes available - each lasting around 5 minutes. It is a great way to introduce Japanese grammar to new language learners. Since Asuka speaks slowly and repeats the phrases more than once, it makes it easier to practice which is perfect for beginners.
4. News in Slow Japanese
Length: Under 3 mins
Level: Beginner
User reviews: ️️️️️
Cultural Elements:
This podcast is brilliant for intermediate learners or those who want to practice their speaking pace. It covers different listening practices which are relative to the JLPT leveling system as well as anime reviews and different cultural topics. Each NISJ episode has a transcript which you are recommended to “shadow” alongside the fast or slow recording. Although you have to sign up to be able to access all podcasts, many of them are available on the website.
3. Let's Talk in Japanese
Length: 5-15 mins
Level: Beginner - Advanced
User reviews: ️️️️️
Cultural Elements:
Let’s Talk in Japanese is by Tomo, a Japanese teacher who talks about different topics rather than textbook conversations. Each title has a number from N1-N5 which indicates the level of each podcast in comparison to the JLPT levels so it’s great for beginners as well as advanced learners.
2. Tofugu
Length: Under 1hr
Level: Intermediate- Advanced
User reviews: ️️️️️
Cultural Elements:
Tofugu is a very relaxed podcast where the hosts go through different types of topics from grammar to random culture. During each epidode, the hosts often go off-topic which is a brilliant way to experience pure Japanese banter. As the podcast is relaxed and features colloquial conversations, this is more suitable for intermediate learners or those who are used to faster conversations. Tofugu is also available on Spotify!
1. Bilingual News
Length: 1-3hrs
Level: Advanced
User reviews: ️️️️️
Cultural Elements:
This podcast can replace your daily newspaper. Instead of reading the newspaper, why not try listening to it? This weekly podcast also comes with a transcript so you can always refer back to it if you find that there’s a specific word that you don’t know. This is mainly targeted at intermediate- advanced learners, however, as a transcript is included feel free to challenge yourself. You can also download the Bilingual News app from the App and Google Play store.
Now you have so many episodes to to listen to, it might be helpful to brush up on your Japanese.
Luckily for you we offer group and private courses for all levels. You can take these courses either online or in person at our London offices where you will meet lots of like-minded Japanese language learners.