desertcart.com: Learn to Read in Japanese, Volume II: A Japanese Reader: 9780998378718: Lake, Roger, Ura, Noriko: Books Review: As good as the first, with a few enhancements as well - Lake and Ura’s "Learn to Read in Japanese: A Japanese Reader Volume II" is a continuation of their helpful series. It is a large collection of Kanji and full sentences arranged in a manner conducive to reading. I will start with the full disclosure that I have not yet begun to delve into the contents: I am still reading volume 1, with its 608 Kanji and sentences. As with volume 1, volume 2 has a number of characteristics that make the book useful. Each chapter contains a handful of new kanji characters and is followed by large font sentences utilizing them. Each sentence is followed on the left hand side with both a romaji and English translation. It’s a good way for you to be able to test yourself. One new feature I find useful in volume 2, is the inclusion of a vocabulary list and mnemonics to memorize words. This is then followed by kanji pronunciation and then practice sentences. Lake and Ura also supplement material with content from Satori Reader and News in Slow Japanese. All in all, this is the quality work I’ve come to expect from this 夫婦 (married couple team). A few years back, their audio flashcards (which, by the way, are available for free on their website) were the answer to ending years of frustration in trying to learn Japanese. It’s a technique they refer to as “active recall,” and it works. When Lake and Ura published their first book, it was only natural I would buy a copy, if only in support of their free audio files, an incredible product I’d already consumed. Little did I know I would actually work my way through their book and find it helpful in expanding my vocabulary. As much as foreigners to Japan complain about kanji and the difficulty in learning it, what they don’t realize is how it functions like a line of emojis: breaking up words and forming patterns where even if you don’t know the word itself, you can figure out what it conjures. I guess you could call it giant book of crosswords where what you solve can be put to future use. The authors don’t skimp on this reference. Like volume 1, volume 2 tops 500 pages in length. If you’re looking to learn a new skill, you’ll have plenty to work from with these books. Review: A Great Complement to The First Book - I have purchased both books in this set because I find them to provide the most effective method for learning to read Japanese. The content, style, focus and execution provide relevant conversation examples that apply to daily life. Gradual introduction of new kanji with each lesson, while constantly reusing kanji learned in prior lessons, is an effective reinforcement method for memorizing kanji. Continuing from where Book #1 finished, Book #2 introduces 600 new Kanji that are presented in practical, everyday sentences. Additionally, Book #2 offers the possibility to apply your improved skills to the reading of articles in online sources like “Satori Reader“ and “Read in Slow Japanese;” allowing you to push your understanding beyond conversational dialogue, to that of literary creation. If you are committed to boosting your existing reading proficiency to the “next level” you should give serious consideration to this book as it offers the best method I have found for learning to read Japanese.
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| Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 18 Reviews |
H**E
As good as the first, with a few enhancements as well
Lake and Ura’s "Learn to Read in Japanese: A Japanese Reader Volume II" is a continuation of their helpful series. It is a large collection of Kanji and full sentences arranged in a manner conducive to reading. I will start with the full disclosure that I have not yet begun to delve into the contents: I am still reading volume 1, with its 608 Kanji and sentences. As with volume 1, volume 2 has a number of characteristics that make the book useful. Each chapter contains a handful of new kanji characters and is followed by large font sentences utilizing them. Each sentence is followed on the left hand side with both a romaji and English translation. It’s a good way for you to be able to test yourself. One new feature I find useful in volume 2, is the inclusion of a vocabulary list and mnemonics to memorize words. This is then followed by kanji pronunciation and then practice sentences. Lake and Ura also supplement material with content from Satori Reader and News in Slow Japanese. All in all, this is the quality work I’ve come to expect from this 夫婦 (married couple team). A few years back, their audio flashcards (which, by the way, are available for free on their website) were the answer to ending years of frustration in trying to learn Japanese. It’s a technique they refer to as “active recall,” and it works. When Lake and Ura published their first book, it was only natural I would buy a copy, if only in support of their free audio files, an incredible product I’d already consumed. Little did I know I would actually work my way through their book and find it helpful in expanding my vocabulary. As much as foreigners to Japan complain about kanji and the difficulty in learning it, what they don’t realize is how it functions like a line of emojis: breaking up words and forming patterns where even if you don’t know the word itself, you can figure out what it conjures. I guess you could call it giant book of crosswords where what you solve can be put to future use. The authors don’t skimp on this reference. Like volume 1, volume 2 tops 500 pages in length. If you’re looking to learn a new skill, you’ll have plenty to work from with these books.
A**R
A Great Complement to The First Book
I have purchased both books in this set because I find them to provide the most effective method for learning to read Japanese. The content, style, focus and execution provide relevant conversation examples that apply to daily life. Gradual introduction of new kanji with each lesson, while constantly reusing kanji learned in prior lessons, is an effective reinforcement method for memorizing kanji. Continuing from where Book #1 finished, Book #2 introduces 600 new Kanji that are presented in practical, everyday sentences. Additionally, Book #2 offers the possibility to apply your improved skills to the reading of articles in online sources like “Satori Reader“ and “Read in Slow Japanese;” allowing you to push your understanding beyond conversational dialogue, to that of literary creation. If you are committed to boosting your existing reading proficiency to the “next level” you should give serious consideration to this book as it offers the best method I have found for learning to read Japanese.
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