Beginning Japanese: Your Pathway to Dynamic Language Acquisition

Beginning Japanese is a complete Japanese textbook and language learning package for beginning learners — who want to become fluent in Japanese and have fun while doing it!

Start speaking, reading and writing Japanese today with the most exciting new introduction to the Japanese language! Beginning Japanese is a Japanese self-study book with companion audio recordings, a series website, and a manga-style story that follows Kiara—an American exchange student who lives in Japan and wants to learn Japanese. With the help of her Japanese friends and the time-traveling "tomo tanuki" raccoon dog, Kiara learns to speak, read, and write Japanese kanji and kana while she visits famous people and places in Japanese history.

Written by experienced high-school Japanese teachers, this Japanese language book will show you correct pronunciations; how to read and write hiragana, katakana, and 151 basic kanji; and understand conversational Japanese, all through an exciting storyline and multimedia materials available for free online.

Key features of this program:

• An engaging manga-style illustrated story—including a time-travel adventure which unfolds as learners advance, adding motivation to learn Japanese
• Authentic written, visual, and oral materials embedded seamlessly throughout
• Kanji is taught beginning with Chapter 1—and together with current vocabulary rather than separately
• Technology is used extensively for practical tasks
• A dedicated website provides additional content and updates
• Content is aligned with the ACTFL National Standards

The companion media includes:

• Native Japanese language speakers
• Pronunciation guides
• Accompanying dialogues
• New word lists
• Fun songs
• Listening activities and tests
• Extensive printable exercises

Also, the Beginning Japanese Website offers:

• Online games and activities
• Additional information and updates
• Downloadable Hiragana Practice Book, Katakana Practice Book, Kana Practice Sheets
• Downloadable kanji and kana flashcards

Beginning Japanese is the first volume in a 2-level series. Deepen your learning with the Beginning Japanese Workbook, a volume of drills and exercises that reinforce the lessons in the textbook. If you already speak basic Japanese, continue your learning with the second level, Intermediate Japanese.

Whether you're learning Japanese for fun, preparing for a Japanese proficiency exam, or want to achieve AP- or IB-level competency, Beginning Japanese is your key to becoming a confident Japanese-speaker.

All media content is accessible on the Tuttle Publishing website.

Michael L. Kluemper served as a board member for the National Council of Japanese Language Teachers from 2001--08, and has worked on national task forces for the implementation of a Japanese AP course. He lives in Louisville, KY.

Lisa Berkson was honored by the Association of Indiana Teachers of Japanese as the language teacher of the year in 2007. She currently teaches Japanese and Chinese language classes at Dobson High School in Mesa, AZ.

Nathan Patton teaches Japanese language at Scott County High School in Georgetown, KY where he serves as Chair of the World Language Department.

Nobuko Patton (1960-2018) taught Japanese at the University of Kentucky, Georgetown College and Jessie Clark Middle School in Lexington, KY.