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

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This is a userfriendly guide to learning Japanese Katakana and includes a set of 46 flash cards

Japanese Katakana for Beginners makes learning of beginner kana 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 lean katakana successfully in the United States and Japan. Picture mnemonics enhance memory by associating the shape and sound of each Japanese kana character with combinations of images and English words already familiar to students. This book is organized into three main sections:

• The first introduces the basic 46 katakana characters along with writing tips and opportunities to practice writing them.
• The secondteachers the usage rules that allow students to write all Japanese sounds, providing more opportunities for practice.
• The third strengthens students' skills through a wide range of exercises (word searches, crossword puzzles, fill in the blanks, visual discrimination, timed recognition quizzes, etc) designed to both increase the knowledge of the Japanese language and reinforce newly acquired writing skills.

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 katakana character along with the picture mnemonic that helps to recognize and remember it.

Author Bio

Timothy G. Stout lived in Japan for 20 years and has taught Japanese language for 23 years in public and private schools, and at the university level. While teaching at the American School in Japan he conducted research on the use of keyword mnemonics in the instruction of Japanese. Stout has a Doctorate in Education (EdD) from Utah State University, an M.A. in Japanese Pedagogy from Columbia University and a B.A. in Japanese Teaching from Brigham Young. He currently teaches Japanese at Utah Valley University, and resides in Lehi, Utah with his wife and five children. Stout is the author of Japanese Hiragana and Katakana for Beginners and Let's Learn Japanese, both available from Tuttle.