Customer Reviews

Japanese for Busy People I: Workbook; includes CD (Bk. 1)

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Do you own or plan to buy the "Japanese for Busy People I: Revised 3rd Edition" either in romanized or kana version? If you do, this is a pretty good choice if you want to do more exercises along with the lessons learned from the "Japanese for Busy People I". This workbook only provides more dialogue and listening exercises. Do not expect to see any grammar tips, culture notes, or even kana. If you do not have the "Japanese for Busy People I", you will not find this book helpful at all. All the dialogues in this workbook are written in romanized form, no kana. But that's ok, because this workbook only targets the dialogues and listening exercises. So, looking for extra homeworks? This is not a bad choice.

(Reviewed by Otto Yuen, 12-May-2007)

Pros:
1. Reinforces the dialogues from the textbook

Cons:
1. Romaji - I have the kana version of the textbook and I wish there was a kana version of this workbook
2. Not a grammar workbook - This is a workbook for practicing the conversations presented in the textbook. I was expecting more grammar drills.

Overall, it is a decent book with great printing and illustrations. But content-wise, I'm not so sure. I refer to it every now and then if I want to remember certain phrases. However, I can also do the same thing by opening the textbook.

My recommendation: work through the textbook and skip this workbook.

I thought this was the Kana version, but a lot of the answers and exercises were in Romaji. I'm confused. Not as good as the text, and not nearly as useful or informative. I guess it's OK for supplemental material.

This is the standard Japanese introductory class text book. I used the first edition of this book 15 years ago when I first taught this course. It is accessible and easy enough for total beginners to try to learn Japanese, yet has very practical vocabulary, so the words you learn are immediately useful.
I use the KANA version, but others prefer the ROMANJI version. Your choice. ROMANJI is best for the absolute beginner and helps in the first few chapters, but I think it ultimately holds you back by the time you reach the 8th chapter. I recommend the KANA version, though it will require more effort in the first few weeks.

I desired a book that would be concise and teach a language the right way (how to say letters, conjegate verbs, etc.). This book has you jump right in to phrases. Also, a better title would be Japanese for busy business people, because these are the type of phrases that it taught you. This may be a good book if that is what you were using it for, but just not for me.