Whether we like it or not, AI tools are changing how we learn languages, especially when it comes to learning Japanese. Nowadays, there are so many AI tools on the market for learners to use to improve their language skills, some of which may be beneficial for your Japanese language learning journey. But what tools should you use, and how can you effectively use them?
In this blog, we’ll give you some recommendations on what tools you can use and how to effectively utilize AI tools to boost your Japanese learning. We’ll also show you some common mistakes when using AI for language learning so that you can avoid them.
For those who want to learn Japanese without AI (or at least minimize its use), we recommend checking out our blog on learning Japanese on your own.
Why use AI Tools to learn Japanese?
So you’ve decided to start using AI tools to help you learn Japanese. You might be wondering, what are some of the pros of learning with AI? Here are some reasons why people might want to use AI to improve their Japanese language skills:
1. You can personalize your learning experience with AI tools
One thing that some people like about using AI to learn Japanese is the amount of personalization you can have. You can tailor the tool to suit your own learning needs, based on your own Japanese level. For example, you can prompt the AI to speak to you in simple Japanese if you’re planning to learn at the beginner level, and you can work your way up from there.
Some AI tools can also create personalized study guides and quizzes as well. You can copy and paste your notes to the AI, and from there, it will create a study guide based on the notes you have given. In addition, it can also create a quiz to test your JLPT knowledge with just one prompt. With some fine-tuning, you can create instant quizzes that are going to be accurate.
2. Feedback is instant, especially with speaking tools
With tools that allow for speaking practice, feedback can be given to you instantly. Some AI tools can give you feedback based on your input, giving you tips such as how to improve your pronunciation, grammar, and other ways to articulate your thoughts so that they sound more natural to native Japanese speakers. There are even AI chatbots that can give you a topic to discuss based on your JLPT level; you just need to put in the right prompts. AI can be a useful tool to learn how to speak Japanese.
3. It helps with note-taking (especially combined with traditional classes)
AI tools can make note-taking and lesson review much faster and more efficient. Instead of manually organizing everything, you can use AI to summarize your lessons, highlight key vocabulary, and turn your notes into structured study materials within seconds.
When combined with traditional Japanese classes, this becomes even more powerful. You can take what you learn in class and quickly transform it into review sheets, flashcards, or even practice quizzes using AI.
To get the most out of this approach, consider learning with Coto Academy, where structured lessons and real teacher feedback can be enhanced with AI tools for faster progress.
Read More: Should You Learn Japanese with ChatGPT?
How We Chose These AI Tools
Of course, not every tool is suited for language learning. For this blog, we chose the best AI tools based on the following criteria:
- Accuracy: The AI tool must be able to give accurate information when it comes to learning about grammar usage, vocabulary, and cultural nuances that can’t be easily translated into other languages.
- JLPT usefulness: The AI also needs to help you prepare for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test by teaching you grammar and vocabulary. For some tools, they must also have the ability to create mock quizzes for you to test your JLPT knowledge.
- Speaking practice: For tools that allow you to practice your speaking, they must provide instant feedback and accurate results.
Best AI Tools for Learning Japanese
Here we have compiled a list of recommended AI tools to learn Japanese. Some might be more catered to beginners, while others might be more helpful for advanced learners.
1. DeepL
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extremely powerful and accurate translations | Does not highlight specific grammar, only vocabulary and Kanji |
| You can learn specific vocabulary thanks to the built-in dictionary | Might lead to overreliance on translation, which can result in not learning effectively |
| The free version only allows you to translate 50,000 characters per month |
This translation tool is considered to be more powerful and accurate compared to Google Translate! DeepL basically works similarly to Google Translate, except it includes a built-in dictionary for those who want to learn new vocabulary. Simply paste in a piece of text, and it’ll translate for you into your native language!
- Best for: Beginners
- Availability: Available on any browser, though there is a mobile version available for iOS and Android.
- Pricing: There is a free version available, though the Pro version costs money. Check the tool’s pricing here.
2. Gemini Live
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You can personalize it to talk according to your Japanese level | Gemini Live can potentially make mistakes that are not noticeable to non-native speakers |
| Output is mostly natural, clear, and easy to understand |
One of our staff members recommended this tool for Japanese-speaking practice. Basically, it’s an AI chatbot that can be set up in a way to help you practice your Japanese speaking. For example, you can set up Gemini Live to speak Japanese according to your level; if you want the chatbot to talk to you about traveling at the JLPT N4 level, you can tell it to do so. In addition, you can also ask Gemini Live to quiz you on certain vocabulary according to JLPT level.
- Best for: Beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners.
- Availability: Available on any browser, and there is a mobile version available for iOS and Android.
- Pricing: A free version is available, though there are subscriptions for Gemini. Check out the tool’s pricing here.
3. Anki + AI Plugins
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You can create flashcards faster than if you were to manually input the information yourself | Information from AI might not be accurate or up to date |
| The initial setup can be challenging for beginners |
You might be surprised to know that there are AI plugins for Anki, a handy flashcard app! Plugins such as the Anki AI allow the learner to input information from Large Language Models (LLMs) onto their flashcards from AI such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude. The initial setup and installation might be a challenge, but once you get that installed, you can easily make flashcards as fast as possible!
- Best for: Beginner, intermediate, and advanced learners.
- Availability: Anki is free to use on Windows and Mac. Get Anki here.
- Pricing: Free on Windows and Mac, but it costs 4000 yen to get the mobile version.
4. Speak AI
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can be integrated with Google Meet, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams | Pay as you use; there is no free version available (except for a seven-day trial) |
| Speakers can be identified in real time |
This is a transcription tool that can be used to transcribe voices to text. Japanese transcriptions can be made easily; for example, it can be used if you’re taking a Japanese class and you want to transcribe everything the teacher has said (and if you struggle with quick note-taking). You can supplement the transcriptions with translation tools such as DeepL as well.
- Best for: Beginner and intermediate learners.
- Availability: Available on any browser.
- Pricing: The individual plan costs $15 per month. Check monthly and annual pricings here.
5. Talkpal
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great for practicing speaking, which is essential for fluency | Grammar feedback can be inaccurate or unreliable |
| Simulates real-life conversations with an AI tutor | May lead to confusion if users rely too heavily on its corrections |
| Available on both web and mobile platforms |
One common feature across many AI tools and language learning apps in general is the ability to practice speaking. At Coto Academy, we even argue that this is the most important skill for proving real fluency.
For that, we recommend Talkpal, an AI-powered language tutor available on both web and mobile platforms. It helps accelerate language learning by allowing users to chat about various topics through text or voice. It simulates real-life conversations, encouraging users to learn actively by interacting with an AI tutor.
Talkpal is especially useful for conversation practice, particularly for learners who feel too shy to speak with real people in their target language. However, one major drawback is that its grammar feedback can sometimes be inaccurate or unreliable, which may lead to confusion if you rely on it too heavily.
- Best for: Learners who want to practice speaking naturally
- Availability: Web and mobile app
- Pricing: They offer a free subscription, but you can upgrade to the paid premium version.
Common Mistakes When Using AI
Even though you’re using AI tools to enhance your Japanese learning, that doesn’t mean that your language learning journey will be smooth. Here are some common mistakes that learners may encounter when using AI tools to learn Japanese, and how to avoid them.
1. Overrelying on translation
Sure, AI can help you to translate Japanese text, but that doesn’t mean that it’s always going to be 100 percent accurate. In fact, sometimes AI can’t capture the nuances and context that will get lost in translation. In addition, there’s a chance that the translation might be inaccurate if you’re trying to translate something from Japanese to other languages.
To avoid this problem, always try to break down the sentence into its individual grammar points and vocabulary. You may use the translated text as a guide, but make sure that you’re not just taking the translation at face value. It might also be helpful to check with a native Japanese speaker to check whether the translation is accurate or not.
2. Lack of human interaction, especially when it comes to speaking
Just because you’re utilizing AI tools to improve your learning doesn’t mean you should ignore human interaction altogether. One example is using AI for speaking practice. Sometimes, it’s easy for AI to make mistakes, whether it be vocabulary or grammar, and unless you’re a native Japanese speaker, you might not be able to spot these mistakes. In addition, sometimes the output that you can get from AI might not sound natural.
AI might help you with your speaking skills, but with that being said, in order to achieve better results, we recommend supplementing AI-assisted learning with human interaction, whether it be from online or in-person classes, or language exchange.
3. Not fact-checking information given by AI
As mentioned before, AI tools are bound to make mistakes; they’re not programmed to say “I don’t know the answer to your question.” As such, the information provided by AI may be inaccurate. This can lead to you gaining false information about how to use certain grammar, as well as outdated or niche vocabulary that isn’t used in daily conversation.
To counter this, make sure you fact-check with trusted sources, such as websites or native Japanese speakers.
How to Combine AI Tools for Faster Learning
Now that you know our recommendations on AI learning tools, as well as how to avoid some common mistakes users might make when using AI, it’s time to incorporate them into your language learning. Here are some recommendations on how to best use these tools to improve your Japanese:
1. Set a daily routine
Just like traditional learning or self-studying any other language, we recommend setting a daily routine for learning Japanese, especially with AI. For example, you might set an hour every morning for learning Japanese; 30 minutes on reading and writing, and the other 30 minutes on listening and speaking. For speaking practice, you might want to pick a topic to talk about with the AI and have a discussion from there (though we wouldn’t recommend relying on the AI too much for speaking practice since we all need social interaction with others).
2. Treat it like a tool, not an expert
At the end of the day, AI is just a tool to help you learn Japanese. You shouldn’t treat it like it knows everything. While it’s good to get instant feedback from the AI, you should always check the AI for inaccuracies, such as incorrect grammar usage. It might be helpful to have a native Japanese speaker fact-check for you in the early stages of your language-learning journey.
Final Recommendation: Which AI Tool Should You Start With?
Now comes the big question: which tool should you use to kickstart your Japanese learning journey? Our answer is that it depends on the learner. For some learners who want to learn vocabulary and grammar, they might benefit from using Anki just for memorization.
Want to learn Japanese with us?
Outside of AI-assisted learning, why not consider taking Japanese lessons with us? Coto Academy has been offering lessons focused on practical Japanese for more than 25 years, with campuses in Shibuya, Shinjuku, Iidabashi, Minato, Yokohama, and online. We offer part-time courses, as well as intensive courses to suit your needs and schedule.
Ready to start your language learning journey? Contact us by filling out the form below and get a free level check!
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best AI for learning languages?
It depends on which AI you are using. What’s more important is how you utilize the AI to improve your language learning.
How can you effectively use AI for better language learning?
There are so many ways to use AI for language learning, but the most effective way for you to use AI is to treat it as a supplementary tool rather than as a learning resource written by an expert.
What are some common mistakes made when using AI tools to learn Japanese?
Overrelying on translations of Japanese text, a lack of human interaction, and not fact-checking information are common mistakes when it comes to AI-assisted language learning. Again, if you’re going to use AI to learn Japanese, make sure to use it as a supplementary tool instead of treating it like it knows everything correctly (sometimes it makes mistakes!)