How To Use This Book #

This book is your ticket to fast-paced, immersive learning as you accompany me (Maria for those of you who skipped the introduction. GO BACK) on my 90-day quest to master Japanese through travel and real-life experiences. This guide is not your typical language textbook; it's a narrative-driven immersion into the heart of Japanese culture and language. The best way to learn any language is through immersion, so the goal of this guide is to get as close to immersion in a book as possible. You will follow me, day by day, learning from my travel highs and lows, mistakes and triumphs, ghost stories and weird shit because Japan is full of some wild stuff (google Kanamara Matsuri now). 

The beauty of this book lies in its fun and practicality. By dedicating just a few minutes each day to a story and lesson, you'll gradually build a solid foundation in Japanese while getting insight into the culture. My firsthand experiences should be an inspiration, showing that language learning isn't confined to classrooms but accelerates in real-world interactions. By the end of the 90 days, you'll not only be equipped to engage in basic conversations, but also feel confident using Japanese in real-life travel scenarios. Whether you're a complete beginner or seeking to brush up your Japanese proficiency, this book is your ticket to success. 

So, why should I start here, you ask? Starting your language learning journey with The Japanese Handbook is like stepping onto the ultimate launching pad for your Japanese skills. Trust me, it's not just about dipping your toes; it's about diving headfirst into the language. It's like laying the ultimate foundation for building your Japanese skills, setting you up for total success down the road. You know how they say, “strong foundation, strong everything else?” Well, that's exactly what this book does for your language journey.

Now, let's talk about learning through stories. It's like the difference between studying a map and actually going on the adventure yourself. My stories aren't just entertaining (although they totally are); they're packed with real-life scenarios and cultural tidbits that bring Japanese to life in a way that textbooks just can't match. And let me tell you, when you're laughing along with my misadventures or nodding along with my cultural insights, those language lessons stick like glue. It's the kind of learning that's not just effective; it's downright addictive.

But here's the thing: The Japanese Handbook is just the beginning. Sure, we have tons of tips and tricks up our sleeve, but the real magic happens when you start exploring the world of language learning beyond the pages of this book. 

LearnJapanese.com is my go-to resource for videos on vocabulary, grammar, and conversation  skills, but it's also a community of other language learners who share their cultural insights or travel tips. And trust me, once you start tapping into that wealth of knowledge and community support, your Japanese skills are going to skyrocket faster than you ever thought possible.

Language learning isn't a sprint; it's a marathon. So, sure, you could breeze through The Japanese Handbook once and call it a day. But why stop there when the real fun is just getting started? Keep coming back to my stories, keep practicing those language exercises, keep pushing yourself to new heights. Because here's the secret: the more you use this book, the better you get. 

I know, I know, you want to get into it, but there are a few things you need to know before we jump right in. Before you do anything else you must learn Hiragana and Katakana, but don't sweat it, I’ll give you some helpful resources. You can learn how to set up a Japanese keyboard on your phone, and we will talk about using AI as a language companion. Oh, and I’ll assign you some homework; you do want to learn Japanese, right? 

Let's get started!