Sing 'n Learn Japanese, Vol. 1 (Book & CD) [Paperback]

Tazuko Inui (Author), Thi Hop Nguyen (Author), Selina Yoon (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Master Communications Inc; 1 edition (July 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1888194227
• ISBN-13: 978-1888194227
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #890,123 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Kids' Songs, October 14, 2002

By 

EM in VT (Bristol, VT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sing 'n Learn Japanese, Vol. 1 (Paperback)

I showed this to my Japanese friends and they really knew all of the songs. These are popular songs. The lyrics are written in romanji (the roman alphabet) and hiragana so they can read by anybody. All the songs are translated. The CD is good. The songs are short but most are repeated twice. The voice is a little high for me but that's true with many children's songs. All of the songs are repeated without words at the end of the CD (karaoke style).

35 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Guaranteed migraine headache!, May 25, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Sing 'n Learn Japanese, Vol. 1 (Book & CD) (Paperback)

If you enjoy a thumping, skull splitting migraine headache, then Sing N Learn is for you.

As a longtime language instructor, I agree with the effort that this series makes, but it is the execution that ultimately weakens Sing N Learn Japanese. To be sure, there are much, much better ways to learn Japanese. In fact, I would recommend this title only as a last resort and after you've thoroughly exhausted traditional ways to learn Japanese.

The songs contained herein are renditions of popular Japanese folk songs. WARNING: Most of the words sung throughout are inaudible. While the accompanying workbook aids in comprehension, it isn't enough to get you through the annoying vocals of the entire Sing N Learn series.

Indeed, most of the songs contain blood-curdling vocals accompanied by low fidelity musical arrangements making listening to the songs almost unbearable. (My students asked me to turn it off after one song). Overall, the musical and vocal quality is definitely poor and grating at best. I will bet an entire year's paycheck that my dog can howl better than the vocals on this tape. Do yourself a favor: try something, anything else other than this series to learn a foreign language. "*"

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My 14 month old loves it and already follows along!, July 11, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Sing 'n Learn Japanese, Vol. 1 (Book & CD) (Paperback)

This book/video combo is invaluable for both of us. Songs are written out in both romanji as well as hiragana so I am learning just as much as he is. The book also contains a handy glossary at the end and cultural notes which explain the traditional way in which songs are sung, and how lyrics are acted out as many songs depict games (finger play, staring contest, etc.). The lyrics are a bit short but in most cases they are repeated so it is easy to catch on. We've been listening for about 2 months now and my son already knows when to follow along such as with the clapping hands song, finger play songs, etc just from listening, so I think he is definitely learning some japanese. Plus it's a lot of fun. There's also a karaoke section for you to sing alone once you learn the songs. The audio quality is pretty good as well. We are definitely ordering the Japanese 2 verson!