~!PDF ~^EPub Kodansha's Hiragana Workbook: A Ste

Beginner-level students wishing to read Japanese need to learn hiragana, the most basic of three Japanese scripts, used for writing words of native origin. <i>Kodansha's Hiragana Workbook</i> is an all-new, streamlined workbook designed precisely for such students. It introduces all aspects of the script -- reading, writing, and pronunciation -- in a fun, accessible format, packed with illustrations and exercises.<br /><br />One page each is devoted to the 46 basic characters. These include instructions for character formation and space to practice writing, as well as a selection of vocabulary for further reading and writing. The vocabulary are all commonly used words that students can put to immediate use in conversation; and their readings -- pronounced by a professional voice actor -- are available as free downloads from the Net. Frequent review pages allow students to test their understanding of the hiragana at various stages.<br /><br />The appendixes offer additional practice exe