Japanese for Busy People: Kana Workbook

Simple, basic, reinforces the kana, a good buy. Also great for learning basic vocabulary like objects or body parts. Super handy!

I found this to be a fabulously easy way to learn the Kana, both the hiragana and katakana. I used Rowley's "Kana Pict*o*Graphix" along with this and found that a photocopier was the only other item I needed. I also purchases heisig's "remembering the kana", but found his imagery to be more confusing than helpful. While there were a few occasions where I came up with my own imagery (yu in the hiragana looks more like some shifty person gesturing "hey YU, over here!" than a u-turn to me) the pictographix book made remembering both systems nearly effortless. After three weeks I can successfully, nearly always, read both forms including long vowels, double consonants and combined sounds. Oh, I also want to let everyone know I had no previous training in japanese but did start a Pimsleur cd course at the same time during my commute to work.

I originally bought this book alone, to "fill the gaps" after the excellent Heisig's and learn the Katakana (Heisig's part on hiragana is excellent, but the part on Katakana is just bad), only to realize that it was really not meant to be used without the accompanying tape. The book and the tape should really be sold as a single bundled package. All that being said, the book is excellent. Get the book, get the tape, move on to the Kana version of Japanese for Busy People 1, and don't ever pollute your mind with romanji.

I must disagree with Bryan's review below. While this book is highly excellent, James W. Heisig's "Remembering the Hiragana/Katakana" is a much easier, quicker and effective way for memorization and mastery of the syllabaries. HOWEVER, why not use this for reinforcement once you've finished Heisig's book (and for help with dipthongs, etc, which Heisig doesn't explain at all)? That's what I'm doing. And of course, then move on the Japanese For Busy People I, but please make sure you get the KANA VERSION. Don't use romanji! You will thank me!How anyone could actually learn Kana from a workbook like this, I don't know. It would take LOTS of drilling and memorization. With Heisig, it's effortless. This book is the best of the memorization school, so for that, four stars.Also, please be sure to try Heisig's "Remembering the Kanji" books (three volumes) when you're ready to begin mastery of the tools of deeper written thought.

'Japanese for Busy People - Kana Workbook' is excellent! Anyone who is learning Japanese or is considering doing so will find this book a valuable tool. Designed to teach the basic Japanese writing system (Kana) as quickly and effectively as possible, it is easy to understand and is actually fun to use! This book can be used alone, or with the optional cassette, 'Japanese for Busy People - Kana Workbook Tape' for even greater effectiveness. While there are several other Kana teaching books available, this one has been tested by the Association for Japanese-Language Teaching (AJALT) and achieved excellent results. Highly recommended!