Customer Reviews

Japanese for Busy People III

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4 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

I started studying Japanese from the age of 14 with 'Japanese for Busy People'. It is a good and most adequate introduction to the language. However, the exercises do not go far enough. For those students wanting to take a more serious and approach, I would recommend 'Shin Nihongo no Kiso' which can be found at most specialty language bookstores. It immerses the student in both the spoken and written forms and is supplemented throughout with extensive exercises that reinforce the vocabulary and grammar while maintaining the methodical and tidy style of 'Japanese for Busy People'.

Very good learning tools. The material is clear and concise with relevant conversation topics. The hiragana, katakana, and kanji excercises are awesome. I have actually used the majority of the vocabulary and sentence patterns in everyday situations in Japan.

This book seems to have a much better reputation than it deserves. It is slow and tedious. It puts far to much emphasis on politeness and superficial exchanges. After finsihing book one you still won't be able to say anything useful. Good if you want to impress a Japanese business associate, lousey if you actually need to survive in Japan.

There are much better books available such as "Shin Nihongo no Kiso" and "Minna na Nihongo". If you do buy it make sure you get the kana version.