The Easiest and Fastest Way to Learn Japanese Did you know that about 122 million people in Japan, and another 8 million worldwide speak Japanese? For Americans, it’s perceived as a difficult language to learn, but in fact, it’s quite regular. Once you get the basics down, you’ll be surprised how quickly you’re able to begin speaking it. And even knowing a little bit of the language will make travel to Japan far easier, and much more fun. Whether your goal is to travel, communicate with friends or colleagues, reconnect with family, or just understand more of what’s going on in the world around you, learning to speak Japanese will expand your horizons and immeasurably enrich your life. The best part is that it doesn’t have to be difficult or take years to master. Thirty minutes a day is all it takes, and we get you speaking right from the first day. Pimsleur courses use a scientifically-proven method that puts you in control of your learning. If you’ve tried other language learning methods but found they simply didn’t stick, then you owe it to yourself to give Pimsleur a try. Why Pimsleur? - Quick + Easy – Only 30 minutes a day. - Portable + Flexible – Core lessons can be done anytime, anywhere, and easily fit into your busy life. - Proven Method – Works when other methods fail. - Self-Paced – Go fast or go slow – it’s up to you. - Based in Science – Developed using proven research on memory and learning. - Cost-effective – Less expensive than classes or immersion, and features all native speakers. - Genius – Triggers your brain’s natural aptitude to learn. - Works for everyone – Recommended for ages 13 and above. What’s Included in Japanese 5? - 30, 30-minute audio lessons - Approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes of Katakana reading instruction - A Reading Booklet and User’s Guide - In total, over 16 hours of audio, all featuring native speakers What You’ll Learn Japanese Level 5, Lessons 1-30 includes 15 hours of spoken language practice, broken down into thirty convenient half-hour lessons, and approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes of Katakana reading instruction, plus an easy-to-use guide and Reading Booklet. This course will expand your vocabulary, encourage you to share your opinions and interests, introduce you to less formal conversations, and help you to venture out to new travel destinations in Japan. You’ll learn to share your impressions and opinions, express gratitude, describe people and places, and convey your preferences with characteristic Japanese politeness and grace. Some topics included in Japanese Level 5 are: Expressions - includes many more informal expressions appropriate for conversing with close friends, and - how to switch from informal to formal conversational forms Activities - attend a college reunion, - go to a wedding reception and catch-up with old friends, - get recommendations for travel in Hokkaido and other travel destinations such as the Seikan undersea tunnel and Shiretoko National Park, - experience kaitenzushi – a casual style sushi restaurant Culture - Japanese cultural activities in the U.S, - the background of Hokkaido, - the Ainu culture (indigenous people of northern Japan), - how to spend Christmas and New Years in Japan, - differences between Japan and the US regarding holiday greeting cards and the Japanese post office, - the extensive Japanese trash disposal and recycling system Other topics include: - wasei eigo (Japanese-made English words), - Japanese business hotels or budget hotels, - Japanese convenient stores, and - how to cook delicious sushi rice. In Level 4, you learned to read the Hiragana alphabet, one of the three scripts used in Japanese writing. In Level 5 the Reading Lessons continue with an introduction to reading the Katakana alphabet. The Pimsleur Method We make no secret of what makes this powerful method work so well. Paul Pimsleur spent his career researching and perfecting the precise elements anyone can use to learn a language quickly and easily. Here are a few of his “secrets”: The Principal of Anticipation In the nanosecond between a cue and your response, your brain has to work to come up with the right word. Having to do this boosts retention, and cements the word in your mind. Core Vocabulary Words, phrases, and sentences are selected for their usefulness in everyday conversation. We don’t overwhelm you with too much, but steadily increase your ability with every lesson. Graduated Interval Recall Reminders of new words and structures come up at the exact interval for maximum retention and storage into your long-term memory. Organic Learning You work on multiple aspects of the language simultaneously. We integrate grammar, vocabulary, rhythm, melody, and intonation into every lesson, which allows you to experience the language as a living, expressive form of human culture. Constant Feedback Loop + Build-in Testing Pimsleur’s unique system of cues and responses provides a constant feedback loop. You can test yourself as you go, and make incremental corrections in creating and refining cohesive, clear responses. Gives You a Solid Foundation Each lesson and Level builds on the ones before it and in turn sets the framework for the lessons and Levels that follow. Learn what you need to prosper and to build a foundation to future learning. The Japanese Language Japanese is spoken by about 130 million people, 122 million of whom are in Japan. There are also speakers in the Ryukyu Islands, Korea, Taiwan, parts of the United States, and Brazil. Japanese has many “registers” or levels of politeness. Throughout every level of your Pimsleur course, you will learn how to speak at a polite register, which is appropriate in virtually any situation you are likely to encounter in Japan. In Level 5, you will also learn some ways of speaking in a less formal manner, used in conversation between friends, family members, or colleagues who are at the same level in an organization. Tech Talk - CDs are formatted for playing in all CD players, including car players, and users can copy files for use in iTunes or Windows Media Player.