Japanese Hiragana for Beginners: First Steps to Mastering the Japanese Writing System

by Timothy G. Stout

Overview

Learn how to write all the basic Japanese hiragana with this user-friendly workbook.

Japanese Hiragana for Beginners makes learning hiragana fast and effective by using memorable picture mnemonics, along with clear explanations, examples and lots of fun exercises—a method that has helped thousands of students learn hiragana successfully in the United States and Japan. Picture mnemonics enhance memory by associating the shape and sound of each hiragana character with combinations of images and English words already familiar to students.

This Japanese language learning book is divided into three main sections:

• Section 1 introduces the basic 46 hiragana characters along with writing tips and practice exercises.
• Section 2 teaches the usage rules that allow students to write Japanese sounds.
• Section 3 strengthens students’ skills through a wide range of exercises (word searches, crossword puzzles, fill in the blanks, visual discrimination, timed quizzes, etc).

A set of flash cards printed on perforated cardstock and a list of suggested flash card activities, are also provided at the end of the book. Each of these cards introduces a hiragana character along with picture mnemonic that helps to recognize and remember it.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781462914005
Publisher:	Tuttle Publishing
Publication date:	12/19/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	112
File size:	14 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Timothy G. Stout lived in Japan for 20 years, where he conducted original research on the use of keyword mnemonics in the instruction of Japanese. He currently teaches Japanese in Utah, where he lives with his wife and five children.

Table of Contents

Introduction     4
The Basic 46 Hiragana Characters     10
[Characters not reproducible]     26
[Characters not reproducible]     42
[Characters not reproducible]     59
Hiragana Usage Rules     60
Tenten and Maru     61
Tenten and Maru     67
Combined Characters     68
Combined Characters     73
Small "tsu"     74
Small "tsu"     74
Long Vowels     75
Long Vowels     76
Sentence Particles "wa" "e" and "o"     76
Particles "wa," "e" and "o"     78
Reading and Writing Practice     79
Answers     94
Flash Cards: Suggested Activities     95
Acknowledgements     96