Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #72905 in Books
• Published on: 2007-03-31
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

Customer Reviews

Surprisingly Effective
I started to learn Japanese on a part-time evening course, which used the Kana version of "Japanese for Busy People" as a set text. The tutor therefore had us begin by learning the Hiragana and Katakana.

Because of that prior learning I was sceptical about this book, imagining it would be a pile of blank practice grids with a cover around it, which frankly I could have made myself. But I was wrong.

The Kana Workbook is actually very well planned out. It starts with a comprehensive explanation of the sound system behind the kana, and includes a lot of information which I did not learn even with the benefit of a tutor who was herself Japanese. It goes on to build up information on different kinds of syllables, vowels, consonants, sound combinations, and so on. Well thought out exercises and CD recordings back up the text and reinforce learning throughout.

I recommend this book for anyone who is just starting out with Japanese, because it is widely considered to be faster and more effective to cut out the romaji middle man and learn to read kana right from the start.

I would also recommend this book for anyone who has had an elementary introduction to the language, and wishes to ensure that they have a firm grip on the basics before moving on to Kanji and more complex grammar.

great book for practice kana
Vastly improved edition with cultural notes and free CD. Also more fun to use and more Katakana practice which the previous edition lacked. Great value for money.