My favourite new Japanese language item is the Japanese Vocabulary Language Study Card : Essential Words and Phrases for the JLPT and AP Exams. It’s very handy and very useful for beginners.
Tuttle Publishing kindly sent me a copy of the Japanese Vocabulary Language Study Card : Essential Words and Phrases for the JLPT and AP Exams to review (no other compensation has been provided). Like many Tuttle products, there are extras included as well.
Format
This Japanese study card is akin to a menu. It has 3 double-sided pages, folded in thirds so it’s the size of one letter-size document. The study card is conveniently laminated to ensure it lasts a long time, and it’s also 3-hole-punched so that it will fit into a North American ring binder for easy storage.
Japanese Study Card Contents
Just like a menu, this study card is divided into sections such as:
- Daily Expressions
- Personal Information
- Countries, Nationalities & Languages
- Noun Counters
- Time Words
- Basic Verbs
- Adjectives Ending in -i
- Body & Health
- Holidays & Celebrations
- Travel
- Workplace
- Networking & Office Hierarchies
- Phones, IT & Social Media
- The Environment
- Hiragana and Katakana Character Charts
- And much, much more!
Each of the areas contain several words and short phrases that are often used in everyday life. The charts have English in the left column, then kanji (if appropriate), then a column of kana, and the final column contains the vocab word in romanized English.
Prep for JLPT and AP Exams
If you’re studying for a JLPT or AP exam, you can use this study card as a bit of a cheat-sheet to help you learn and/or remember some of the basics. Because it’s so easy to keep with you, you can take it just about anywhere and revise whenever you have a few spare moments; on the bus, train, waiting in line, or anywhere.
How I like to use this Japanese Study Card
I love that this Japanese study card is laminated. Not only does this mean it will hold up to heavy use, but that I can also use a dry-erase marker on it to cross off vocabulary words as I become familiar with them or circle ones that are giving a little trouble.
If you have sticky notes on hand (I am never without them), you can use them to cover up one or two of the columns while you practice. Then flip the edge up to check your answers.
Online Audio Bonus
As I mentioned above, very often Tuttle Publishing adds extras to their products. In this case, it’s in the form of downloadable audio tracks. Following the info on the card, you can download a .zip file to your PC or laptop (I will add this to my synched audio files so I can listen and practice while I’m out walking). You can also listen directly online, too, if you do not want to download the files.
These audio files are categorized according to the page of the study card they refer to, and then by the category/heading on the page. You will first hear the English meaning, a pause, and then the Japanese word or phrase spoken nice and clearly, at a regular speed. I find the audios so very useful to help me practice the correct pronunciation as well as help my ears to ‘understand’ what my eyes are seeing.
Final Thoughts
I think the Japanese Vocabulary Language Study Card is very useful for students of the Japanese language. This card is very durable and the audio files are a welcome addition.
If you’re interested in purchasing the Japanese Vocabulary Language Study Card, it’s available through:
- Tuttle Publishing
- Amazon
- Great bookstores near you
If you’d like to know more or would like to follow Tuttle Publishing, you can connect with them through their website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest (and you can see our other Tuttle reviews here).
More Japanese Language Resources:
Japanese Vocabulary Language Study Card Review
