ため・
ために says what you do something for: a goal, or a person. With something that has happened or is simply so, the same word is a formal "because", the one in announcements and on signs.
in order to
I study Japanese every day in order to study abroad.
for
I walk for thirty minutes every morning for my health.
because of
Trains are running late because of the snow.
In order to
Verb in the dictionary form + ため（に）
Something you decide to do: 買うために.
For
Noun + の + ため（に）
Before another noun, ための: 子どものための本.
Because
Plain form + ため（に） ／ Noun + の + ため（に）
降ったため, 忙しいため, 雪のため. A な-adjective keeps な: 危険なため.
What you do it for
Your aim comes first, in the dictionary form. What you do to reach it comes after.
I'm practicing conversation in order to work in Japan.
I gathered material at the library to write my paper.
After a noun it is "for": your family, your health, an exam.
家族のためにfor your family
He works hard for his family.
何のためにwhat for
What did you make this app for?
念のためjust in case
I'll take an umbrella just in case.
〜のための(a thing) for …
This is a dictionary for children.
ために or ように?
Both say what an action is for. ために goes with something you decide to do. ように goes with a result you can't simply decide on: being able to, something not happening, what another person or a thing does.
I'm saving up to go to Japan.
Going is something you decide.
Not said: 日本へ
(I'm saving up to go to Japan.)
ように doesn't fit your own decision.
I'm saving up so that I can go to Japan.
Being able to go is a result.
I speak loudly so that the people at the back can hear too.
What other people hear is a result.
Not said: 後ろの
(I speak loudly so that the people at the back can hear too.)
ために doesn't fit: you can't decide what they hear.
I take notes so that I won't forget.
A negative usually takes ように.
I take notes so as not to forget.
Also said: not forgetting is your goal.
Passing an exam can be your goal too: 合格するために. With ように it is 合格できるように.
The formal "because"
What comes before ため has usually happened already, or is just how things are, and what follows came of it. It is the language of station announcements, signs, news and work email, and the に is often dropped.
The event was canceled because of the typhoon.
This road is closed for construction work.
Reception hours were extended because the number of users had gone up.
The verb before it usually shows which meaning you have. With a noun, what follows does.
I quit my job in order to study abroad.
Still ahead: the aim.
Because I studied abroad, I graduated a year late.
Already happened: the cause.
Said to a friend, this ため sounds like reading out a notice. In conversation "because" is から or ので.
The game was canceled because it rained.
A notice, or the news.
The game was canceled because it rained.
Someone telling you about it.
Close neighbours
ようにN4
"So that", for a result you can't simply decide on.
I practice a little every day so that I can read kanji.
〜に行くN5
Going somewhere to do something. ために is too heavy for an errand.
My younger sister went to see a movie with a friend.
のにN4
What a thing is handy, needed or good for: のに便利, のにいい.
This dictionary is handy for looking up technical terms.
Check yourself
1Which one fits?
後ろの
Choose an answer to see why.
2Which one means "in order to"?
Choose an answer to see why.
3Which one would you hear in a station announcement?
Choose an answer to see why.
More detail
Passing an exam
I study every day in order to pass the exam.
Passing as your goal.
I study every day so that I can pass the exam.
Passing as the result you hope for.
More sentences
I listen to the news every day in order to become an interpreter.
This tool is used to cut wood into small pieces.
I wash my hands often so as not to catch a cold.
The city holds free reading sessions for local children.
Due to strong winds, all afternoon flights were canceled.
The game was postponed because snow had piled up.
Some services are unavailable due to a network failure.