Customer Reviews

Teach Yourself Beginner's Japanese

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was the first book that I read and completed in my Japaneese study and I do not regret this. However, apart form one chapter and a few excercises in other chapters, all the Japanese is romanized and therefore doesn't really teach real Japanese. Next to the romanized words, kanji could have been printed, and possibly in later chapters the romanization could have been omitted. On the one chapter that is devoted to the Japanese writing system, the katakana chart is printed. A Hiragana chart could have also been printed as I find it is just as essential, if not more. The accompanying tape is also a necessity as well, because it really helps your pronounciation, and if you haven't got the tape, you could be sayings things that even Japanese people could not understand. Throughout the book there are also excercises that require the tape. At the back of the book there is a mini dictionary but unfortunately some words that are in the book have been omitted and it is only in 'Japanese-English' form. It would have been useful, here, too, to include the proper Japanese text next to the romanization. The book is set out in such a way that there is a logical progression that neither moves too fast or too slow for it's reader. In conclusion, a good book!

This is a book for people who wish to walk before they learn to run. You will not be bogged down with kanji, and the like, but will learn prononciation and structure of the Japanese language very quickly. It's very well structured and the easiest of five self learn books I own. Learn to speak then learn to read is my advice. The book alone only gets 4 stars as UK/USA English pronounciation differs from Japanese so, as with all language books, I strongly advise anyone considering this book, which I again state is the best I've come across, to get the tapes that go with it, I then give it 5 stars+.....

Easy to digest lessons; nice lay-out (at least in my edition) and you can listen to parts of the audio without actually having to look in the book. I like that the author has includes hints (hinto) and study-tips. What it lacks is kana and kanji. (One chapter will introduce you to a few kana and 17 kanji; 1-10 and the days of the week, but in my opinion you'll need more than that.) Also it wouldn't hurt with a little bit more audio. I think it's a nice investment although hardly the best book out there and absolutely not essential when it comes to learning Japanese.

I think this book is wonderful. Now I could finally understand what my friends are saying. Plus I'll finally understand the Japanese anime I watch. I recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn a new language but feels it's a drag!

It is very good at getting the point across and teaching you some Japanese without overwhelming you. My only qualms was the lack of total kana-immersion.

Now, because of Teach yourself Japanese,I am doing great in Japanese. It's really easy to understand. Well written. I think that Helen Gilhooly is a great teacher.