Not a recommended method for learning Japanese--as I'm working through a different method, I can tell I learned the grammar points, but the entire course is written in romaji and has no focus on written Japanese, which is a huge oversight. Very few exercises and no workbook, and the "on the go" CDs are far too distracting to use while commuting. The Gnkimmethod is much more practical.

I find myself returning to this book whenever I have let my Japanese studies slide for a while. In no time the vocabulary comes back as I read through the familiar dialogues.

I have heard a criticism of this book that it is too difficult for people just starting to learn Japanese. My advice would be to read through the lessons until you start feeling overwhelmed then start again. Each time through the lessons you will find yourself more comfortable and getting further along this book.

The first 15 lessons or so are all in romaji (our alphabet) as kana (the Japanese syllabary - hiragana and katakana) are introduced . Later lessons include the lessons in kana and some new kanji are introduced with each subsequent lesson.

Highly recommended. ( )