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WaniKani is a well-known web program that helps people learn Japanese vocabulary and kanji. Its goal is to teach about 1,700 kanji letters and 5,000 words of vocabulary in one to two years. This might seem hard or even impossible at first, but WaniKani has become a trusted language-learning tool in the education and reference categories.
But if you want to find a choice to WaniKani, you can choose from a wide range of services. These options are more than just websites; they also include apps for Android, iPhone, iPad, and Android Tablet, among others. One alternative that comes highly suggested is Duolingo, which has free tools for learning languages. You can also check out great sites and apps like Memrise, Drops, Busuu, and Toucan Language Learning, which are like WaniKani in that they help you learn a language.
Why Look for Alternatives?
WaniKani may not be able to accommodate all of its users’ tastes or preferred methods of education despite the fact that it provides an efficient learning system. Some students could find the monthly subscription cost of WaniKani to be unaffordable, while others would want extra capabilities that the platform does not offer. Exploring different possibilities might therefore provide a new point of view and the opportunity to personalize one’s educational experience according to their specific requirements.
Factors to Consider When Choosing WaniKani Alternatives
When looking for the best alternatives to WaniKani, it’s important to think about a few things that fit with your learning goals. Some important things to look at are:
- Cost: Figure out if the other platform fits your budget and gives you good value for your money.
- Curriculum: Check to see if the site covers the parts of the language you want to learn, such as kanji, vocabulary, grammar, or reading comprehension.
- SRS System: Check to see if the option uses a well-thought-out spaced repeat system to help you remember.
Best WaniKani Alternatives
WaniKani is a famous online platform for learning Japanese. It teaches kanji and vocabulary using an innovative method called the “Spaced Repetition System.” It has a loyal group of users because it has a structured program and makes learning fun. But there are a few reasons why people might look for alternatives to WaniKani.
Anki
Features:
Anki is a flashcard app that provides users with a high level of customization, enabling them to construct their own decks or import decks that were developed by others. It provides you with freedom as well as control over the experience of learning. Anki is a well-liked option for people learning Japanese due to the availability of a large variety of shared decks. It offers a wide range of personalization options, such as audio pronunciation, example sentences, and the generation of mnemonics.
The Good
- Highly customizable to suit individual needs.
- Large user community and shared decks.
- Cross-platform availability.
The Bad
- Steeper learning curve for setting up and using the app.
Kanji Koohii
Features:
Kanji Koohii is a website that is dedicated solely to the process of teaching its users kanji. It uses a mnemonic approach and enables users to construct and share their own mnemonic stories as a means of improving their ability to remember information. This platform provides its users with a helpful community that actively encourages learners to create their own mnemonic stories for each kanji character, so transforming the traditional learning process into an interactive and collaborative endeavor.
The Good
- Engaging and collaborative learning environment.
- Detailed breakdown of kanji components and meanings.
- Supports multiple mnemonic approaches.
The Bad
- Limited scope to other language aspects beyond kanji.
Kanshudo
Features:
Kanshudo is an educational platform that can be accessed online and provides complete resources for learning Japanese. It covers a variety of topics like vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, and listening comprehension, among others. Kanshudo makes use of an intelligent adaptive algorithm to deliver individualized instruction that is catered to the learner’s current level of proficiency as well as their overall growth.
The Good
- Personalized learning experience.
- Detailed explanations and examples.
- Audio recordings by native speakers.
The Bad
- Limited free access to advanced features.
Duolingo
Features:
A popular and highly regarded platform for language learning, Duolingo, takes a game-like approach to teaching Japanese to its users. It offers a well-organized curriculum that instructs students in a variety of language skills, such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The learning process is made more interesting and fun thanks to the interactive exercises, quizzes, and rewards system that Duolingo provides.
The Good
- Free to use with optional premium features.
- Mobile app for learning on the go.
- Wide range of language courses available.
The Bad
- Limited focus on kanji and writing practice.
Memrise
Features:
Memrise is a tool that helps people learn new languages by combining elements of gaming with memorization techniques. It provides a wide variety of educational resources, including Japanese, thanks to its extensive library of user-created classes in a variety of subjects. Memrise places a strong emphasis on vocabulary learning, but it also contains grammar courses and listening workouts to help users improve their overall language skills.
The Good
- Extensive library of user-created courses.
- Mobile app for convenient learning.
- Social features for learning with others.
The Bad
- Inconsistency in course quality.
Questions and Answers
Absolutely! Learners often use more than one tool to mix up their learning and reinforce what they already know.
Yes, most alternatives have tools and support for people who are just starting out, which makes the learning curve smooth.
Yes, all of the platforms listed have ways for learners to track their progress and see how they are doing.