Languages > Japanese > Japanese I, Comprehensive
Japanese I, Comprehensive
Learn to Speak and Understand Japanese with Pimsleur Language Programs
This Edition: CD
Lessons: 30
ISBN: 9780743523530
Your Price: $345.00
Availability: Usually ships within 1 business day
Also available in: MP3
Free Audio Lesson
Pimsleur covers the world of languages. You can choose from over 50 languages, many with multiple levels, ranging from the most popular to the exotic. Become a Pimsleur learner and travel the world!
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Description
Includes 30 lessons and culture notes on 16 CDs, plus a culture notes booklet
Japanese is spoken by about 130 million people, 122 million of whom are in Japan. There are also speakers in the Ryukyu Islands, Korea, Taiwan, parts of the United States, and Brazil. Pimsleur's Japanese teaches a polite level of Japanese, which is appropriate for use in most situations in Japan.
The Pimsleur® Method: the easiest, fastest way to learn a new language. Completely portable, easily downloadable, and lots of fun. You’ll be speaking and understanding in no time flat! Japanese Phase 1, Lessons 1-30 includes 15 hours of spoken language practice and one hour of Culture Notes in thirty, 30-minute lessons.
- In the first 10 lessons, you’ll cover the basics: saying hello, asking for or giving information or preferences, scheduling a meal or a meeting, asking for or giving basic directions, and much more. You’ll be able to handle minimum courtesy requirements, understand much of what you hear, and be understood at a beginning level, but with nearnative pronunciation skills.
- In the next 10 lessons, you’ll build on what you’ve learned. Expand your menu, increase your scheduling abilities from general to specific, start to deal with currency and exchanging money, refine your conversations and add over a hundred new vocabulary items. You’ll understand more of what you hear, and be able to really participate with speech that is smoother and more confident.
- In the final 10 lessons, you’ll be speaking and understanding at an intermediate level. In this phase, more and more directions are given in the target language, which moves your learning to a whole new plane. You can talk about your immediate family, go on a car trip, and ask for and understand directions. Lessons include shopping, visiting friends, going to a restaurant, plans for the evening and traveling with children. You’ll be able to speak comfortably about things that happened in the past and make plans for the future.
One hour of recorded Cultural Notes are included at the end of Unit 30. These Notes are designed to provide you with some insight into Japanese culture. A Culture Notes booklet is also included in PDF format.
REVIEWS SUMMARY
by PowerReviews(based on 12 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (10)
- It works (10)
- Portable (9)
- Perfects accent (6)
- Fun (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- Self-improvement (9)
- Travel (9)
- Business/work (6)
- Fun (6)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Business person (6), Traveler (5)
Most Liked Positive Review
Twenty-Six lessons in and Loving it!
I practice every morning before work along with Spanish and I find myself comprehending and speaking it with more confidence everyday. It doesn't feel too difficult and it provides just the right challenge to keep...Read complete review
I practice every morning before work along with Spanish and I find myself comprehending and speaking it with more confidence everyday. It doesn't feel too difficult and it provides just the right challenge to keep things interesting and at a decent pace.
Sometimes I wish I had more time to say what I want, but I tend to say things faster than expected after a bit of practice because Pimsleur goes over what we learned often enough to where I don't have to stress whether or not I'm going to absorb it or not.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Excellent complement. but not alone...
Affordable and effective, it worked well for me in getting me up to speed quickly in conversation and helped me be on track during regular Japanese class. The convenience and pricing of the downloaded ...Read complete review
Affordable and effective, it worked well for me in getting me up to speed quickly in conversation and helped me be on track during regular Japanese class. The convenience and pricing of the downloaded version is very attractive with one major draw back: the audio quality is relatively poor. Also, using other material with Pimsleur helps a lot, adult learners are not children and need several pathways to enhance the language learning experience.
Reviewed by 12 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-5
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Pros
- Easy to use
- It Works
- Perfects Accent
- Portable
Cons
- Expensive
Best Uses
- Self-improvement
- Travel
Comments about Japanese Phase 1, Units 1-30:
This is definitely a great way to learn a language. No, you won't know all of it or understand fluent conversation, but you'll be able to pick up on a lot more new words, and it sure as heck beats trying to memorize words from a flashcard when you can actually apply them to conversation. For 15 hours worth of instruction, I think it's pretty solid. If you've got car time, it's a great time to listen. I like to focus when I'm learning, though, so I recommend setting aside 30 minutes a day. You will need to keep going with it if you're serious about learning the language. I'm not sure if Volumes 2 and 3 will even be enough to become fluent. I doubt it. But they're a great start. Don't forget to watch some Japanese television to help you put things in context if you're not exposed to the culture.
Pros
- Easy to use
- It Works
- Perfects Accent
- Portable
Cons
- Too Fast
Best Uses
- Self-improvement
- Travel
Comments about Japanese Phase 1, Units 1-30:
Use the files on iTouch. Nice and portable. I can listen anywhere. Sometimes the translation starts a little too quickly after the English sentence but I can just hit the pause button.
Some of the words are different than I've heard before but the Japanese have multiple words for the same thing.
I've sampled other language programs and this method works best for me.
Service and delivery comments:
Allow a little more time after the English for the longer sentences.
Pros
- Good Pace
- Portable
Cons
Best Uses
- Business/Work
- Travel
Comments about Japanese Phase 1, Units 1-30:
I like the 1-a-day format for 30 minutes. I find Japanese phrases popping into my mind at odd times during the day, so I guess the method is working. I haven't yet had a chance to test out my new skills with a Japanese speaker, but am looking forward to doing so during my next trip.
I find myself at times getting frustrated with a phrase that I can't quite learn, but the way the lessons are organized is such that the new/difficult phrases will be mixed in with old/familiar phrases. So, I find that while I'm struggling with the new phrases, the old ones are super easy... almost like my native tongue. So I think the method works.
I've had to repeat certain lessons more than once, but no more than twice.
Pros
- Easy to use
- It Works
- Perfects Accent
Cons
- No writing component
Best Uses
- Business/Work
- Family background/Heritage
- Just for fun
- Self-improvement
- Travel
Comments about Japanese Phase 1, Units 1-30:
"Surprise, in six months we are moving to Japan!" That's what my wife told me one day when she got a temporary assignment in Tokyo from our large international company.
I spoke not a word of Japanese, but I wanted to be prepared so I immediately started taking out Japanese language tapes from the local library. I would also buy them from B&N. They would always go back after just one lesson. I despaired until I came across the Pimsleur tapes (yes I am dating myself, cassette tapes). A huge difference, I could actually make progress! I went all the way through lesson 30 of phase 1 before we left for Japan. While I started "Japanese for foreigners" upon arriving in Tokyo I was amazed at how well I could converse on day 1. I gave directions to the local hospital to a Japanese lady in the street without even thinking about it. I can truly say I "tried them all" or darn close to it. Pimsleur remains my favorite.
Pros
- Easy to use
- It Works
- Portable
Cons
Best Uses
- Travel
Comments about Japanese Phase 1, Units 1-30:
This is the tenth language I have gotten from Pimsleur ... started in the 90s and have used their method to develop sufficient language skills to navitage a foreign country in their language without embarrassment.
Displaying reviews 1-5
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