Japanese Language and People Course Book (Language and People)

As I wanted to get the CDS I assumed this was a heavily updated version of the original edition (like Buorgiorno Italia). After a skimmed comparison the two editions appear to be virtually the same. The only main difference I can spot is the essential CD track listing is published in this new edition.

Don't buy both books together as suggested by Amazon!

... and the tapes don't come with the book! This book was recommended to go with a Japanese class I attend. On receiving the book we all agreed it was pretty useless without the accompanying tapes - which are purchased seperately. Personally I'd recommend the Dummies Guide to Japanese. I felt a bit conned with this book.

This set of 5 tapes is good for a beginner. It has helped me learn Japanese very fast and to a good quality. The only let down is the fact that you need the wook book and u cant really make progress just by listening to it. Overall a very good help in learning Japanese and I would recomend it to anyone wishing to learn the language.

I bought this book 5 years ago before coming to Japan,and I found it an excellent introduction into the Japanese language. The units are laid out in a logical and progressive order, you don't have to wait until the end of the book to learn how to guide a taxi around your neighbourhood, a necessity when dealing with Japan's unnamed streets. The cultural insights will give you a taste of Japan, they give a traditional overview of Japanese life, but things change quickly in an ever westernising country. The polite form is taught throughout, which can lead to some raised eyebrows and giggles, when you attend your local fast food shop, and use the polite "Domo arigato gozaimashita" to say thank you, when the locals use just "arigato" or "domo",I suppose it is better to be too polite than rude. All in all, this book and the accompanying tapes will not teach you to speak fluent Japanese, but it is an excellent way to get started and one I would strongly recommend for anyone coming to Japan, gambarimasu!