Japanese from Zero! 2: Proven Techniques to Learn Japanese for Students and Professionals

Japanese From Zero! #2

by George Trombley, Yukari Takenaka

Japanese From Zero! is an innovative and integrated approach to learning Japanese that was developed by professional Japanese interpreter George Trombley, Yukari Takenaka and was continuously refined over eight years in the classroom by native Japanese professors. Using up-to-date and easy-to-grasp grammar, Japanese From Zero! is the perfect course for current students of Japanese as well as absolute beginners. Volume two of the Japanese From Zero! series Japanese grammar concepts*over 800 new words and expressions*the Katakana writing system.

Genres: Japanese Literature, Language, Nonfiction, Reference, Japan, Textbooks, Education

433 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2006

Reviews

[Jessica Rose · Rating 2 out of 5]

This COULD be the best Japanese language system for solo studies but the vast amount of errors mean I cannot rank it more than 2 stars.

The concept is brilliant, it talks you through each grammar point and has a comprehensive workbook included. But I found myself frustrated at the errors. The thing is that the errors are so very obvious to someone at N5 or N4 level so how did they get missed before printing, it’s almost like the book wasn’t proof read. I’m using the 5th revision for those who want to know.

It’s a real shame because I really wanted to invest in the full series but have found Genki significant better.

To top it off the website used to be free to use alongside the book but now is behind a paywall, even though you have spent money on the physical textbook. It seems unfair to those who have spent money on the books, as with other publishers there would be content available with proof of purchase.

Either way, if you want to use this textbook just be sure to use it alongside something like HelloTalk where you can ask natives to check your workbook pages to ensure you aren’t learning bad habits.

[Jasmine · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super solid textbook! George Trombley and Yukari Takenaka have done it again; they've made a Japanese textbook that is really fun and effective.

I think this textbook moves at a good pace and the integrated workbook section really hammers home essential concepts so they stick. One of my favourite activities is the conversation creation! The conversations can't be about anything, they need to stick to a vocab group and demonstrate the chapter's grammar points. I liked being able to flex my sentence creation muscles!

This textbook also teaches "informal" or "plain" verb forms, which is neat! Understanding those verb forms unlocked all the informal conversations I hear while listening.

This textbook has a noticeable amount of typos, but it's nothing that impeded my learning process. One typo meant I answered a question incorrectly, but the others were things like mistakes in the header.

I've moved onto book 3 now! A few months ago I wasn't sure if I wanted to finish the series, but now, I am absolutely determined to finish them all. My Japanese progress has really improved since I buckled down and decided to do a few pages of JFZ a day.

[Anna 'Bookbuyer' · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay so this one was a heck of a lot harder to get through. But I had it from the library and wanted to know what it was like to see if I should buy it now or later. Thank you library error! :P

I was happy to try and continue in this series but my poor grasp of Katakana, vocabulary and grammar made it quite hard to read. I managed though!

I strongly recommend not reading this till you are 95% certain of all the words, grammar and Hirigana from book one as it continues the theme of being in Hirigana.

The first section in particular completely overwhelmed me as it was all about grammar and that is my least favorite of in any language. :(

I enjoyed the familiar layout though and was happy that there was again a dictionary/glossary at the back as well as all the answers to the exercises. I look forward to reading this again much later! :P

[Ludwig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to understand and a great workbook.

But even in this 5th revision, there still are typos, which can sometimes be irritating and slightly confusing, especially when this one Japanese word consisting of only two Hiragana you are reading has a typo, leading you to the conclusion that this word is something new you have not learned yet.

But looking at it in a positive way, it encourages you to read more carefully to get the meaning of the sentence and figure out the correct word
This does not mean typos are a good thing. NO; Just saying.

[Jacks · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my opinion the Japanese from Zero books are the best.
Nice and easy to read and follow with with nice big black font.
So many of the other Japanese textbooks the font is not bold and is so tiny to try and read.
Lots of examples this is a book and the workbook all in one.
Perfect if your self studying as some other textbooks have classroom scenarions, this book allows you to practice by yourself. Has an answer key so you can check up on your work.
Also Japanes from zero has corresponding youtube videos to the lessons in the book so with George who has written the books he explains the points a little more in depth.
Perfect to get that theory from the page which might not sink in straight away but when you listen to someone talk about the grammar point or verbs etc, it helps it sink in.
I highly recommend these books the price is affordable.
I have bought the first 4 Japanese from Zero books and now the Kanji from Zero as well and I am super happy with the content and study style.

[Mat Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like how the book progressively teaches Katakana. It sticks better than some of the other methods that I have used (rote learning). The informal grammar and speaking style is particularly useful towards the final half of the book. I just think that it would be more practical, even if not deserved, to introduce those forms earlier - you know, since that is all I hear here in Japan.

But overall a very good language learning book like the first that I will have to go through again in order to consolidate - but the bottom line is, that I enjoyed the dialogues and the way the book progresses from grammar point to point. The online videos are good even if George does waffle a little bit too much at times. That said, he is clearly having fun :) and I am thankful for them.

Thumbs up.

[Monica モニカ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This textbook is slow moving, but really thorough in making sure you understand the fundamental basics. Just like with the last book, I enjoyed the accompanying Youtube videos for the series. It really helps me grasp the knowledge therein. Even though I think all the knowledge taught along with the worksheets makes this a 5 star read, I am deducting a star due to the fact that there are some typos. I luckily caught them while reading and doing the worksheets, and they are only small discrepancies, but what if a new learner didn't catch it? I had a 5th edition of the book too (I double checked) so it's still disappointing that it seems as though they didn't catch all the typos when republishing.

Otherwise this was a great use of my money. Onto the next volume! いつもありがとうございますジョージ先生。

[Jermaine Robinson Duggon]

Excellent continuation of the 1st book, and I love the progressing system used for Katakana just like the 1st book did with Hiragana. I still recommend getting the 1st book prior to this one to have the knowledge of what it brings along with the Hiragana teaching. I am a complete beginner and absolutely love this. Best of all you can compliment this with his youtube channel playlist Japanese from Zero about 117 videos which visits books 1-5

[Marek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just like the first book, the Youtube video support is great and most likely the biggest asset of the book.
The physical cover is easily broken though, the progressive method of learning kana is very annoying, if one wants to review the book and the focus on the vocabulary and logical structure is quite poor.

[Oleg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following the series this (second) book presents structured lessons to teach you katakana in small digestible chunks of information. Not taking into account occasional misprints here and there overall book is good and gives reader knowledge on the topic. I can read katakana now and starting on next third book of Japanese from Zero.

[Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I dillydallied and should have pushed through. The first two chapters are difficult compared to book one. But then it tapers off. Get over this quickly and enjoy the middle chapters. I rushed through the end so I could get to book three and kanji.

[ThymeOperator · Rating 5 out of 5]

The typing errors are insane. That said, the grammar is broken down so simply that it cleared up all the absolute bafflement Duolingo left me with, and I feel pretty fluent in both hiragana and katakana. So I still have to give this top marks.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really can’t imagine it gets any better for self studying. This series has upped my game immensely. On to book 3!

[Timothy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! Very engaging, logical learning order, and useful vocabulary. The videos that go along with each chapter are excellent for reinforcing everything you learn!

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book on Japanese learning. I have progress way more quicker than any other method by reading this book and watching the video series. Highly recommend.

[程赟 · Rating 4 out of 5]

惊了

[Bryan Becerra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing textbook!
I already had background knowledge but this book helped me improve in the katakana writing system. Tons of practice material. The only complaint is that there are few Japanese and English spelling errors in my edition (the fifth edition).

[Rakhi Mishra · Rating 1 out of 5]

good

[Jennifer]

This book will build upon what I've learned from the first book. It has more sentence structures and words.

[Em's Adventures · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly well made series. I really feel that I am making progress through these books!