Studying Japanese

Because of the overlaps in East Asian cultures, I am interested in exploring the similarities and differences between Chinese and Japanese cultural development. Thus, learning Japanese language is the first approach to Japanese culture, and the best tool in thoroughly exploring and understanding the culture. After the first four weeks of Japanese class, I am able to introduce myself in Japanese, ask directions in Japanese, and other basic but useful phrases for touring Japan. Although vocabulary is a little bit challenging (because some words have similar pronunciation as Chinese but have very different meanings), I am still enthusiastic to learn more, mastering the language step by step.