Language\30 Japanese with Book

Rating:
Summary: Perfect for the world traveller.
Review: Very highly recommended if you are actually going to Japan.
This is an audio cassette with a phrase book, and it overwhelmed me at first. I didn't feel like I was getting anywhere, but I stuck to the program as outlined in the instructions that come with the package. When I arrived in Japan (still feeling frustrated), I was amazed (and so were the Japanese) at how well I could communicate. Most other language instruction programs I've used create problems because I learn to speak slowly and deliberately, and then when I get to the country I am visiting, everyone speaks so fast I can't understand them. The result is that I can ask people questions, but I can't understand even the simplest answers. I had significant comprehension difficulties in both France and Norway. This program totally eliminates that problem by teaching everything at the speed it is normally spoken. I had only a week to study Japanese and it was very, very effective at teaching me the basics I needed for survival, although it didn't feel like it would work at all while I was studying. The entire program requires about 30 days to complete, but even 7 days will be enough to help you get by pretty well. Within my vocabulary, I easily understood everything spoken to me, and could carry on very simple conversations with good flow.
It should be noted that there are relatively few direct translations of individual words, and a decent Japanese dictionary would be a good companion to this package. It is the only reason I gave this package 4 stars out of 5.
The Language 30 program will not teach you all the details of Japanese grammar, but if you need to speak it effectively in a short period of time, this program is exactly what is required. When you get the package, follow the instructions religiously, ignore the sensation that you aren't making any progress, and I promise you will have a very satisfying experience when you arrive in Japan.