Welcome to Gaia! ::

My apologies if this has been repeated, but I haven't seen this yet...

Anyways, I figure now would be a good time to better understand Japanese, as Spanish is coming easier now. Now that I understand concepts in other languages beside English, I feel it's time for me to get back into the game of languages.

However, where should I begin with independent studying? For instance, I have Japanese for Dummies, would you recommend that? Or perhaps something else? What are your opinions? O:

Arigatou! ^^

Ah! Thank you! biggrin

Search Tae Kim Japanese Guide on google and you'll get a pretty good learning tool.

Also download greasemonkey + rikaichan.

Also, if you have an iphone there are many useful japanese apps that can help you with your learning.

If you want to know how to get the apps without purchasing them, PM me.

I have tried many many MANY books because I am also self teaching myself and now I will have a lot more time since I have dropped out of spanish 4 yaaay me!!! =D
So anyways to answer your question(s).
I do not recommend Japanese for dummies.
I have tried it and it doesn't work well for me.

I highly recommend Genki. I know you have probably heard of the book, but seriously it does work! I have learned alot from that book and I am still continuously learning from it.
The pros: You get what it's worth for your money. There is over 300 pages I believe and it's almost idiot proof.
The cost is around $40-ish depending on where you get yours. I got mine from ebay (fyi you can only get this book online or download it)
Another thing is after the first chapter you get away away from using romaji and instead it has kana and kanji ^^
i really needed that because i have always been using romaji all the time but after genki i have come to know more kanji and know how to write and read kana. which is super cool!

cons: there is no answer sheet in the back of the book. ToT
but its ok with me because i have friends who are also studying japanese and you have the whole wide web and japanese is one of those languages that a lot of people would know on there.
there is no cd. but that is ok because you should already know the pronucation ^^
i believe its one of the easiest to know in the world *thats what a friend said *

so if you get genki and have questions ask ~ i might know it =]
i hope this helped you!

@kianapossible1998: hmmm that is trickly well i do recommend jisho.com its a dictionary site. type in a setence/word and it gives it to you. it also gives u the furigana. (the hiragana that is under the kanji to help you pronounce it) so if you are familiar with kana i highly recommend it !!! ^^



I agree with this hansome young man here ; ) xD
((i say this because i luv your avi))

One of the best apps or I should say podcasts is japanesepod101 they also have website and youtube channel.
It has helped me plenty!
Speaking of...I need to update it! xD;