So, I've learnt the Kana...

[Infection_]

I've pretty much mastered the Kana after using "Remembring the Kana" for about a month, it's a kickass book and says you can learn the Kana in 3 hours - that is true but if you spent a lot of time on the book you can master them with it.

Now I get onto the second part of learning Japanese, I've been told the best way is to get a textbook and to avoid Pimsleur at all costs.

So, the text books I've been considering are:

Genki 1, or Japanese for Busy People (Kana Version) - I'll be getting the tapes also.

Which one do you think is the best?

[Damicci]

I have gotten alot of negative feedback about Japanese for busy people. Supposedly the Japanese they use is not natural. This is from Japanese friends. So I would suggest going with Genki.

[Bucko]

I have all three main books - Genki I, Japanese for Busy People I, and Minna No Nihongo I. I recommend Genki first, then Minna No Nihongo.

[Nicky]

Japanese for Busy People


I'm going to keep it short and sweet: No.

[Infection_]

A lot of people appear to prefer Genki 1 over JFBP - what's the main differences, and why is Genki better? Some people have told me that Genki teaches a more modern way of speaking and updated vocab.

[Bucko]

JFBP is dry and boring. Genki's much more genki.

[TronDD]

I am taking a "casual" Japanese class which uses Japanese For Busy People. I can't say I'm too fond of the book. I prefer more gramatical explaination and depth. I'd also prefer the book to use kanji with furigana as opposed to just kana.

[yukio_michael]

I'm wondering what you have heard about pimsleur that is negative enough to sugest that people avoid it. (Something I think I agree on...) I'm looking for reviews that support my opinion, that it's rather ridgid and un-natural Japanese... and that of course, you need more than just listening to dialogue to learn a language...

[yorkii]

i started learning with JFBP and Pimsluer. Pimsluer was a big help for me actually. i could listen to it while walking to work in the morning and practice the pronounciation along with the tape. i think that is the main thing i used it for. just for getting the pronunciation nailed from the beginning. i am now studying on the JFBP2 and finding it ok to be honest. one of the bad points about it though is mentioned in the foreward to the book. it is aimed at "Business" folk, and so the language is geared towards the office and such.

after this book i was going to move onto JFBP3 but i am not so sure now.

sorry to thread jump, but does anyone have a suggestion of what i scould pick up after JFBP2?

y

[Glenn]

I'm a fan of A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/4789004546/sr=8-2/qid=1145499414/ref=pd_bbs_2/002-6891444-5777664?%5Fencoding=UTF8) and A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/4789007758/sr=8-1/qid=1145499414/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-6891444-5777664?%5Fencoding=UTF8).

[yorkii]

i also have both of them books. a recommendation from a friend. they are very good, but i sometimes feel that i need to have pre-structured questions given to me instead of making my own. this also gives me something to check my answers against. thats why i like textbooks. textbooks also teach you in a very organised fashion reviewing previously learnt material as you go along.

the basic and intermediate japanese grammar dictionaries are very good at explaining the grammar, but for a student, i would probably recommend getting a textbook to accompany them.