Why did/are you learning Japanese?

[Elemental Doll]

I learned Japanese for the same reason you did, anime. Although I'm still a big fan of anime, I'm just not one of those crazy otaku people that say "ne" and "desu!~" all the time. x3
I really like Japanese language. The way the speak is..different! And I love it. 3nodding I am also learning by a Rosetta Stone and Talk Now CD.
I rarely use it, though. sweatdrop It's just the anime that is helping me learn most of my Japanese.  

[Father Harlot]

I guess I'm learning it since I want to understand songs, internet radio shows, games, etc. on my own. I might visit Japan one day, but that's unlikely at the moment.

I'm learning at a lazy pace, through textbooks, Smart.fm, My Japanese Coach, and practicing through twitter, as well as talking to my friends who are also learning Japanese.  

[Father Harlot]

For the most part. Learning it is pretty fun too, I guess.

Uh, and MJC is a game on the DS. It teaches Japanese... to an extent.  

[Kobekko]

Back in middle school, I wanted to be a manga artist so I started to try to learn the language on my own. Eventually I grew out of my interest in manga and anime, but my interest in Japanese remained. I love the language biggrin  

[augizzle]

Hey John. razz *pokes*

Hmm, I started learning Japanese in school because I wanted to learn another language in school besides Spanish. But I found that I actually enjoy learning about Japanese culture and language anyway. I feel like an otaku, considering that I play Japanese games and read Japanese manga(though it's not like I can understand them if they're not translated)  

[Father Harlot]

Steeeepppphhhhh.

I intend on taking an official Japanese class in college after next year, since my school doesn't offer it. I think I might aim for one of those studying abroad programs if I get accepted by one next year.

However, even without a class, I think I've made decent progress, although I speak and read slowly.  

[augizzle]

Yeah.. you learn too much too fast. Gahh.. stop learning.

もうやめて！

I'll learn on my own once I go to college since they dun offer any college classes where I'm going. Hmm. I'm trying to convince my mom to let us have a Japanese exchange student stay here.  

[augizzle]

LOL funny thing about that. My family's not very close anyway, so chances are, the exchange student would probably be left on their own most of the time or just me. Though the city's expensive either way so maybe that'd "suit their needs"

Learning on my own... I'm thinking that maybe playing games in Japanese and watching shows in Japanese would help. I was playing a game today in Japanese so I guess I learned a bunch of new vocab? *shrug* Imma try to practice with online friends who are learning it in college. My best friend irl is going to college as a Japanese major so... contact~ w00t.  

[augizzle]

Haha, according to what I hear, exchange programs provide the host families with money so they don't really have to pay for the student. I don't think they should have to anyway. ^^;

I've wanted to travel abroad, but I already missed my chance for the highschool abroad program I wanted to go for. I may think about studying abroad in college, but again, it won't be with my college. >.>; I'd have to take it out of my own pocket.

Sure practice buddy. biggrin