What are good books to use when learning Japanese?

Question

I won't be able to take an actual Japanese class until the summer, but I still want to learn some from a book, and then make my own worksheets and stuff. Are there any books for beginners that teach basic Japanese, and then slowly build up until I can become fluent? Thanks! Or should I say arigatou? :P.

Answer 1

The best way to learn Japanese is through a variety of methods. You need to work on your grammar, listening, speaking, reading and writing. Its best to think of these as separate categories and focus on each specific category as these require different methods and techniques.



Start by learning the basics through grammar. These books really helped me:



• Shin Nihongo no Kiso I & II



• Shin Nihongo no Kiso Japanese Kanji Workbook



• A Course in Modern Japanese by The University of Nagoya Press



• An Introduction to Modern Japanese by Osamu Mizutani & Nobuko Mizutani



How to Learn Japanese http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/2010/11/how-to-learn-japanese.html

Answer 2

Theres a lot of books that teach Japanese, the best series is anything from



living language



This is only because , if you have them all, you get the most information. But sadly 99% of books only teach polite Japanese....i've actually never seen a book that doesn't teach only polite Japanese. If your actually interested in learning the language fully, your best bet is the internet.



http://www.123japanese.com



Its actually the best website to learn Japanese, and unlike other people just claiming to be the best, I will tell you why



- It teaches both causal and polite Japanese (90% of learning websites teach only polite Japanese)

- It has extra learning resourses and the largest vocabulary section, literally.

- It has free and full information (other websites charge for advanced lessons, or only teach the basics)

- The lessons start from the beggining to end (other websites lessons just toss full phrases and sentences in your face, with no grammar explanation or break down of sentences)

Answer 3

Haha, I recently just went to Barnes and Nobles and found a ridiculously fantastic Japanese Dictionary in the section for "foreign languages."

You can find any Japanese dictionary at almost any local bookstore - hopefully - and it will include all basic words like "street," "store," "school," etc, in it, first in english than a dash beside it with the correct japanese word and a pronounciation below it for non-fluent speakers.

Believe me, if you want to start learning, this will be the BEST way before you start taking your classes! I learned so much from these small handy books, that you can take anywhere, really. It impresses many.



Once you've somewhat learned how to pronounce and such, you can also find books in those sections on how to place correct sentences using japanese language with correct adverbs, verbs, etc when speaking. This however should be held alittle later from learning! Pronounciation is ALWAYS something you should learn beforehand!



Also, if you don't have time to buy a book so soon, go to YouTube and type in, "Basic Japanese." you will find so many videos with actual spoken audio. It's brilliant, I've learned on how to pronounce this way. :"D



Good luck!

Answer 4

I preferred Rosetta Stone however it's luxurious. The manner I found out it was once to make approximately six hundred flashcards of usual phrases and to be taught the fundamentals of grammar from a low-priced textbook. I bought a few revel in for the accessory that I desired through looking ancient Zatoichi films however to fairly be taught it took nearly four years in japan. Flashcards are extra predominant than language methods to start with. Spend a pair months naming the whole lot in sight earlier than commencing at the grammar. That sample carefully resembles the way in which a little one alternatives up language and your mind is installed to be taught that manner.

Answer 5

Genki series is what we used in class when I was taking Japanese at my exchange school in Osaka.



http://genki.japantimes.co.jp/index.en.html



There is a text book and a thinner work book. I think they usually come bundled. What's good about doing it this way is when you goto school for Japanese classes, you can put this down as a reference so they can better place you in more advanced classes.

Answer 6

A popular book is "Japanese for Busy People" it comes in different versions for beginners.

If you can't read Japanese it comes in a Romaji version, if you can read hiragana/katakana I suggest getting the kana version as it helps more.

Answer 7

みんなの日本語

http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E3%81%BF%E3%82%93%E3%81%AA%E3%81%AE%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E8%AA%9E%E2%80%95%E5%88%9D%E7%B4%9A1%E6%9C%AC%E5%86%8A-%E3%82%B9%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%82%A8%E3%83%BC%E3%83%8D%E3%83%83%E3%83%88%E3%83%AF%E3%83%BC%E3%82%AF/dp/4883191028/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1295049691&sr=8-1