Global Access: Japanese : Complete Language Course : Beginning (Global Access)

Rating:
Summary: WASTE OF MONEY FOR BEGINNERS
Review: I couldn't be more disappointed with this course. All this program has to offer is a litany of words and phrases that would probably be beneficial to someone who already has had formal instruction in the Japanese language. I strenuously reccomend looking at something else if you want to learn Japanese from a rock-bottom beginner level.

Rating:
Summary: WASTE OF MONEY FOR BEGINNERS
Review: I couldn't be more disappointed with this course. All this program has to offer is a litany of words and phrases that would probably be beneficial to someone who already has had formal instruction in the Japanese language. I strenuously reccomend looking at something else if you want to learn Japanese from a rock-bottom beginner level.

Rating:
Summary: Great product
Review: I whole heartedly disagree with the previous reviewer. Unlike some listen and repeat programs that spit out large phrases at incomprehensible rates, this program introduces one word at a time in a relaxed, easy-to-hear pace--so that even that beginner can follow along without too much trouble. Granted that a semester or so of college Japanese study or some time spent studying in Japan would greatly enhance the ease of use of this product, even the absolute rankest of beginners can learn from it. Everyone has to start learning somewhere, and the only way to do it is learn lots of words. From my personal experience I can say with confidence that the Nihongo you'll learn from the Global Access program is the Nihongo you'll hear and want to use in actual conversation. I wish I'd had this program before I made my first trip to Japan, it would have greatly accelerated my Japanese learning curve. Now having said that, this program is not entirely comprehensive in and of itself. Some extra learning about the finer points of grammar and verb conjugation will have to be done in the classroom or from a textbook, but you can't expect to have everything in one package. I think that "Japanese Verbs at a Glance" from the Power Japanese series would be a good tool to use in conjunction with this product. The Vocabulearn tape could stand a little updating, too. Some of the words, while not entirely incorrect, are not the most commonly used words. Anyway you slice it though, this is still an excellent program and well worth the money.

Rating:
Summary: Great product
Review: I whole heartedly disagree with the previous reviewer. Unlike some listen and repeat programs that spit out large phrases at incomprehensible rates, this program introduces one word at a time in a relaxed, easy-to-hear pace--so that even that beginner can follow along without too much trouble. Granted that a semester or so of college Japanese study or some time spent studying in Japan would greatly enhance the ease of use of this product, even the absolute rankest of beginners can learn from it. Everyone has to start learning somewhere, and the only way to do it is learn lots of words. From my personal experience I can say with confidence that the Nihongo you'll learn from the Global Access program is the Nihongo you'll hear and want to use in actual conversation. I wish I'd had this program before I made my first trip to Japan, it would have greatly accelerated my Japanese learning curve. Now having said that, this program is not entirely comprehensive in and of itself. Some extra learning about the finer points of grammar and verb conjugation will have to be done in the classroom or from a textbook, but you can't expect to have everything in one package. I think that "Japanese Verbs at a Glance" from the Power Japanese series would be a good tool to use in conjunction with this product. The Vocabulearn tape could stand a little updating, too. Some of the words, while not entirely incorrect, are not the most commonly used words. Anyway you slice it though, this is still an excellent program and well worth the money.