What is Reddit's opinion of Learning Japanese Hiragana and Katakana: A Workbook for Self-Study?

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Aah this is so sweet. Thank you for your kindness. I’ve been studying Japanese for a while, but the only resources I have are a few apps and Japanese children coloring books that I use to translate and get familiar with Hiragana. A friend of mine has told me this is a great book for learning and practicing so I’m hoping to get my mitts on a copy of it. Thank you so much!! Learning Japanese Hiragana and Katakana: A Workbook for Self-Study

It really isn't! ... but making an effort is (imo) the right thing to do. The Hilton was great because most of the staff speaks English, and most other places for that matter. There was always atleast one person everywhere who spoke English or knew enough for basic communication. If I'd pause to think for a moment, often the person would start using English words to help me out.

The only place that we had to use the translator app was a restaurant that didn't take foreigners but amazingly made an exception because I attempted to tell her I really wanted basashi in Japanese. She was kind enough to seat us anyways and we made sure to prepare and translate everything prior to her coming to the table so we weren't a bother. That experience really meant a lot to me.

I spoke what I knew in Japanese whenever I got the chance because it felt more polite, and everyone is incredibly kind as long as you try... even if you get to a point where they have to interject with their English knowledge and meet you halfway. I knew barebones phrases from watching anime for years, but I studied Hiragana and Katakana to be able to read signs and basic conversational Japanese for months prior. I do that before I visit any country because it makes traveling less stressful, and personally... something about going overseas and expecting people to cater to me feels wrong to me.

I would highly suggest this workbook and some YouTube videos or a language app for atleast 2 months casually before bed! I did the same for Belgium and Germany, but I just didn't continue with those languages. Japanese is just going to be incredibly helpful with my career.

Are you using multiple different tools and practicing your writing as well? This is a great workbook](https://www.amazon.com/dp/4805312270/ref=cm_sw_r_other_apa_i_.P.TEb41S546C) on Amazon and it's a good price. I used Lingodeer and that workbook. The workbook teaches a different writing style and breaks down stroke order on a grid. Figured I'd mention it because it was well worth the $7.99. I did Hiragana on the workbook and app, then did a few more lessons on the app with words to really tie the alphabet together for me, then the workbook has you write some words before moving on to Katakana.

I am currently working on learning to read and write as well so I am curious to see other people’s suggestions.

I had a plan to visit Japan last spring but the wife and I ended up having a baby instead so we put our trip on hold. I figured I might as well spend this extra time really familiarizing my self with the entire language instead of just the few travel phrases I had memorized prior.

First I have found the Duolingo app very helpful and fun. It’s acts as another mindless time wasting phone app, but you get to practice Japanese at the same time.

Second I used this book to practice writing hiragana and katakana. I scanned the book and print off a couple sheets per day to work on

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Japanese-Hiragana-Katakana-Self-Study/dp/4805312270

The combination of Duolingo and that book seem to be working out pretty great

I suggest getting a workbook, possibly this one. It's helped me a lot

I believe it is the "Learning Japanese Hiragana and Katakana" book by Kenneth G. Henshall, you can find it on amazon here: https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Japanese-Hiragana-Katakana-Self-Study/dp/4805312270

No problem! I'm happy to help others on the road to learning Japanese.

Use this to master hiragana and katakana before a big textbook for grammar (though you can consider this step optional)

This book (Genki 1) and its second follow up book (Genki 2) are one of the best textbooks available to learn grammar. They'll also teach you hiragana and katakana but not in as much detail as my first link as Genki is primarily for grammar.

https://www.amazon.com/Learning-Japanese-Hiragana-Katakana-Self-Study/dp/4805312270/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=Japanese+Learning&qid=1610151249&sr=8-3 This is the one that my dad uses to learn Japanese, and it’s a really good price for something that gives you a lot of practice! This is very entry level stuff, mostly learning to write the alphabet but it’s a great first step.

https://www.amazon.com/Japanese-Zero-Techniques-Students-Professionals/dp/0976998122/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=Japanese+Learning&qid=1610151435&sr=8-4 This one is a bit more expensive and a little more advanced than the first book (despite jt being for beginners), but it’s good for learning words and grammar. I’d say consider this one after you get a good track on the first book. Also sadly the drawings inside do not resemble the anime girl on the cover at all lol.

Hope this helps!

There are quite a few more you probably want to figure out how to write, instead of asking for each one, pick up something like this:

Workbook that shows stroke order and pics of each one, and has grided squares that help: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/4805312270

If you need more grided squares to practice in: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1093697164/

Practicing on a whiteboard is another option I recommend, you can get small ones and markers very cheap if you don't have one.

Hey, I have a question - what are your thoughts about the following books:

Hiragana & Katakana: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/4805312270/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1KUFZLJ107W44&psc=1

Kanji: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0824835921/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Grammar: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/4789004546/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?smid=A321M861TAT1B&psc=1

In conjunction with Japanesepod101 vocabulary.

I am an absolute beginner, will these be good for me?