Update!
Much has changed since this article was originally published. Have a look at the latest review of JapanesePod101.
Summary
From beginner to advanced levels, JapanesePod101 is an excellent, all-around online environment for learning Japanese. The Pod101 platform, method and technology provide the necessary tools to get you immersed in the Japanese language and achieve the goals you desire and/or require.
Since JapanesePod101 is web-based, you can access your personal Japanese Learning Center from anywhere, and it's really easy to download the podcasts and put them on your mp3 player (iPod, Zune, etc) or mobile phone to take them with you for practice and learning on the go.
One of the most important things when learning a language is good content - and JapanesePod101 has this, and a steady flow of it. This constant flow of fresh content regards cultural aspects of Japanese you will want to know, interesting tidbits about navigating in Japanese society (whether on vacation or living abroad), practical information about getting by and much more.
Your Japanese Learning Center brings together audio podcast lessons, lesson notes and checklists, transcripts, PDFs, video lessons, vocabulary training with flashcards and quizzes plus a Japanese dictionary, grammar bank, a verb reference and plenty more.
And if you enjoy asking questions and learning from and helping other learners, a forum is available for all users.
It's simple to try it for free and upgrade if it works for you.
From Website
At JapanesePod101, our goal is to make learning the Japanese language easy and fun, while also incorporating culture and current issues into our lessons. We believe that the more you speak, the quicker you learn, so we have designed our program to get you speaking right away. Situational Japanese is heavily stressed, and our team role plays various situations to demonstrate the proper form of Japanese to use when speaking with friends, customers, executives, and so-on. Knowing the proper form to use separates good speakers from great speakers.
JapanesePod101 was developed with the hope of showing the world how fun and easy learning Japanese can be. Here at JapanesePod101, we truly believe that learning can be fun, while at the same time convenient. We know how busy you are and that each day brings unexpected surprises. That is exactly why we bring the lessons to you and let you decide when they start.
Our innovative, fun, and easy to use language learning system is designed to get you speaking and interacting from the very first lesson. Learn Japanese at your own convenience and pace with short, effective, fun daily lessons and a comprehensive, state-of-the-art Learning Center that provides you with the tools to take your Japanese to the next level! Our interactive learning system consists of free daily audio podcast lessons, accompanying PDF materials, a Premium Learning Center, and a vibrant user community.