advice for learning japanese?

Learning to write Japanese gives you somthing to visualize while trying to remember certain words to speak...

Someone mentioned it earlier, but Japanese for Busy People is a very good book. It covers a lot of what a teacher would if you went to a class. It was also available at my local library, so I would check that out. Saves you the money, if that happens to be an issue.

Meow

This is a good website for starters: http://www.learn-japanese.info/
I started learning japanese 1 month ago, and brought this book:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0071431578/104-9133788-8371112?v=glance&n=283155
The first few lessons were easy, but its difficulity increases steeply. And also, it hardly teaches any kanji or kana. But its a good book if u want to learn how to speak japanese.

read the books, imitate what you hear, and above all SPEAK TO YOURSELF...it will help you get used to the words and be easier to say without stumbling upon the words...if these don't work..look for a penpal its your best bet

I would suggest you all would ither get Nakama, or genki. Adventures in Japanese 1-IV isnt that great of a book. I am telling you this because I am in Japanese 3. With most books like AIJ is they will say ither information that is out dated, or the book will leave information out. Nakama is a great book because it gives extensive detail on how the sentences are made, however kinda hops around on what should be in what lesson and the essential vocabularies are too much for people who self study. Genki is the best book because it actually helps people learn, and all the information is clear as can be unlike AIJ. I hope this helps you all

Hi Lee,just saw the question 2day though it might have expired.Well start by first using what you have,start by first reading and writing at the same time for Hiragana and Katakana.It's not really tough,for the Kanji;they are a bit complicated coz they are Chinese characters,take your time in practisicing these characters as same pronunciation of words might have different characters.just like "xiao tie" in chinese languge may mean;young lady,miss or madam but on the other hand it might mean a harlot.so take your time in practicing the differnt forms of writing.Best regards.