Japanese for Busy People I: Romanized Version1 CD attached (Japanese for Busy People Series)

Many years ago, I studied Japanese with an earlier edition of this series. It is very good. The chapters start with short dialogues (most of the time: a few start with written material). These are followed by vocabulary, explanations of new grammar/functions, and exercises. I found the explanations easy to understand. Answers to exercises can be found in the back. (Study tip: you will find your study of Japanese using these texts even more effective if you memorize the dialogues and practice delivering them, with comprehension.)The series is pitched toward business people who need to learn important vocabulary and structures quickly. It is used by reputable Japanese Language Schools in Japan (eg. the Meguro Language Center in Tokyo).The three textbooks in this series teach more or less the same functions and vocabulary as Genki, though the Genki series is geared more toward students.The only real drawback of this series is that it does not treat Kanji in an organized manner. Here, Genki has the advantage: the last section of Genki I and II treats the 300+ kanji its editors belive a beginning student should learn. I hope, in a future revision, Kodansha rectifies this deficiency.The workbook contains useful practice. Ideally, you would have a study partner with whom to do pair exercises (and to make the learning more enjoyable.)One final advantage is the expense: the textbook, kana practice book, and workbook can be had somewhat more cheaply than the Genki books. Of course, there are three textbooks in this series and only two in the Genki series.I prefer this series to "Genki," but really it is "six of one, a half dozen of the other." Both are far superior to the tedious, cumbersome, and over-priced "Minna no Nihongo" series.

I've been using this book as the textbook for my Japanese Conversation class. I love this textbook, and this is coming from someone who dislikes the best ones because they're, well, textbooks. But there's something about this book here that makes it entertaining to read. I don't know if it's the activities or what, but I find it fairly easy to get through a chapter for homework. The pictures are cute and definitely help assist in the learning process. They use a specific set of characters they made for the book that they introduce in the intro. At first, I thought this was needless, but it helps for later on. However, I was doing activities in this book that called those people by name before I even knew of the character introduction page, and I still managed to tell from context whom was who, so that's good. The vocabulary at the bottom of each page are good for a quick reference or a point of focus for studying for quizzes. It's a neat feature.The book is a great size. Not too big nor small. I guess that doesn't matter too much when reviewing a book, but as a college student who doesn't want her bag too heavy or too full, I like the size.The book is easy to navigate, and I like the way and the order they present the learning material. There's nothing I dislike about this book at all. And the price? Definitely affordable.There's also a romanized version for those who can't read Kanji yet. I have the Kana version myself, and prefer that one. But it's great that this also comes in Romanji, as everyone learning is at different levels and some would benefit more from that version.I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who's learning or refreshing themselves on the language of Japanese. Even if it's not required for class, this book makes both a good learning tool and a quick reference.

Don't be scared off by the Kana version. I know. I also bought the Romanized version thinking I would need it to survive. Here is a tip - I strongly suggest you buy Japanese Hirigana & Katakana for Beginners by Timothy G. Stout. He has fun mnemonics in there that are very effective. My teacher had a song, charts, and a game to help us learn them too. You will be surprised at how soon you have it down.The textbook has you learning stuff you use in everyday life. Every chapter seems daunting at first, but by the time you do all the exercises - yes, I write the answers in Hirigana and Katakana and you will too - you get the hang of what they are teaching.The audio disc is helpful for the vocab. They have short dialogs in there. The Japanese speak crazy fast. You will think - this is impossible - when you try to and can't understand what they are saying. But don't give up. Several chapters later, you can listen to the first dialogs and be able to make out what they are saying.As an adult I took tae kwon do (also the husband's idea). The owner of the school gave some really good advice - you WILL make it to black belt if you don't give up. That advice turned out to be spot on. I have the black belt to prove it. If I follow that same advice, I betcha I will someday be able to understand and converse with Japanese people in their language and so will you!