Kristine K. Kershul

In the end, I've found this book/tool to be useless in the sense that it's method is centered on learning with the Romaji alphabet (Japanese with Latin letters) for a *quick* learning experience. Then again, it doesn't help you if you're on site or trying to find your way in a Japanese context, with signposts, newspapers, books, etc. The idea to use small stickers to everyday objects/places etc. is laudable but at the end of the day, you'll only learn to speak Japanese, not write or read it, show more which is sad. show less

I am currently using this book to learn Russian. This book isn't my only source of learning, but it works well to supplement and practice what I have learned from the other sources. I was flummoxed as to why the authors didn't include the accent marks. Any beginning Russian book without accent marks is dead in the water; there is no rhyme or reason to where a Russian word will be accented, and the accent can change the meaning of the word. Fortunately, I had a student from Russia who took show more the book over a weekend and wrote in the accent marks to every Russian word in the book! The book went from barely usable to quite valuable. I consider this book a handy supplement but sertainly not a stand-alone book. show less

A very nice introduction to the Portuguese language that teaches the names of colors, days of the week, numbers, relatives, foods, directions, etc. and also covers some basic grammar. Very colorful and varied. It is by no means anything complete, but gives a little taste of the language. The CD-ROM is equally basic, but will show how some words are pronounced.

I was looking for something a little more basic than this, but still very good. It doesn't cover everything but it's stil a good start.