Cheap Instant Immersion Japanese (Software) (Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows XP) Price

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Customer Reviews of Instant Immersion Japanese

VERY--I say VERY--basic
From the descriptions of the programmes on the box, I thought that this could be helpful--at least, that "Human Japanese" would. This is NOT the "quickest way to learn a language"; if it's quick, it's only because it teaches you very little. <
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>"Talk Now" is VERY basic. It teaches greetings, colours, numbers, food, etc. words by saying each word/expression for you (and showing it on the screen--though it tends to use kanji, which I don't find too suitable, especially if you keep in mind that the people using this CD are complete beginners, many of whom aren't even completely familiar with romanisation) with a rather scratchy recording. Then you can record yourself and then listen to see how you match with the example speaker(s)--but this is not like the more expensive software in which the programme itself actually compares the two. Then there's some practice, and you go on to the next category. Again, you only learn REALLY basic words--"hai," "iie," "konnichi wa," "konban wa," "takushii," "koohii," "sakana," "Nihon," "Amerika," "aka," etc. And in the end, most people probably won't be able to remember too much of what they "learned"--so much for "instant immersion," especially when there isn't any context for the words. Seriously, it doesn't seem too practical to teach people the names of random countries without even giving them a sentence (pattern). What are you going to have people do--walk up to maps and point as they name the countries they know from the CD? <
>World Talk may utilise "immersion" (finally--something as advertised), but unless you have at least some background in the language, you'll be quite confused--and this "background" CANNOT be attained in what is basically a basic word list which is the "programme" "Talk Now." Even right at the beginning, when they ask you to type your name: What's the point of writing it in Japanese? A beginner will probably EVENTUALLY figure out what they're supposed to do, but really, the Japanese text is completely unnecessary. I doubt beginners will be able to learn much if they can't even pick up a single word. There needs to be a CD in between these two to "bridge the gap." <
>As for Human Japanese, I only looked at a little of it, but already I began to disapprove of it. Again, it's very basic (though at least it introduces SOME grammar), but it does not "link" AT ALL with the previous two CD's. What irks me even more is that words which SHOULD be written in katakana are written in hiragana. The programme itself seems to be quite low-cost--from interface/design to the content itself. You should get a real textbook instead, unless you just want some basic knowledge--though this doesn't exactly teach grammar very well/in-depth. <
>Translators in general do not work too well. I only used it once, but wasn't really impressed. After all, you can always get something translated for free (and inaccurately, as almost all of them do) on the internet. <
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>Overall, very disappointing. I would not buy it unless I really had no other book/programme/CD's to get.

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Horrible! Don't waste your money or your time.
Sorry it's so looong =D <
>This is the worst teaching product I have EVER seen! It is simply an illogical way to teach a language. They really do mean "Instant Immersion". The first disk is okay.They really start you off on a beginners' level(basic words, phrases, numbers, foods, and all that other good stuff...).The second disk is completely in Japanese, and sure they give you a clue or a hint here and there, but there is no way for a beginner to understand what is trying to be said. The Third disk is a pretty good book, but it doesn't cover everything, and the fourth disk is a translator that is hard to figure out unless you read the guide for it.I have read a couple of the previous reviews that people have written, and I am shocked that some of them think that it is the BEST possible program you could buy!For an example of what some people said: <
>1)It's an inexpensive program -sure it's cheaper than others but it will also give you a cheap(poor)education in the language!You get what you pay for and the cheapest programs may not be the best. I'm NOT saying that all of the expensive ones ARE the best, but I'm saying that you should do more reasearch into something before you buy it. You know, find out all of the pros AND cons.If a LOT of people say it isn't good, then I wouldn't buy it. <
>2)It's fast -I hate when companies promise something that works fast. I can understand being a busy person, but if you think you can learn something without having to do a little work!Just because something is fast doesn't mean it's the best quality...and half of the companies that promise fast results are usually the ones that don't come through.Besides half of the programs that you learn faster with are the ones that no one is willing to use(example: BOOKS!!!). <
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>Personally I'd just buy a book.If you have enough time to waste on this program, you should have enough time to read a book.If you're looking into it, I have found that "Genki: An Intergrated Course in Elementry Japanese" works best.It's kind of expensive, but it is worth it's weight in gold.In one review for Instant Immersion someone said they learned hiragana in 3 months and in a review for Genki someone said they taught themself hiragana in about 1 week.If you're really serious about learning Japanese then you should buy Genki.If you want some personal advice: before you buy this,or any other program (or anything!),I'd research into it- find the BEST programs and the BEST deals you can get for them. <
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maybe good if you get something else,too
I'm not sure if this is the exaxt same product, because the one I have has 6 cd's in it, but it's Instant Immersion Japanese, so I'm going with it. <
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>This was given to me by a friend who's trying to learn Japanese because he found it worthless, as in way too difficult for a beginner. I also found it too difficult. I gave it to a japanese friend of mine and he said it's correct but there's no way a westerner is going to learn Japanese from it. <
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>I found the whole approach ineffective. They didn't lie when they said it's instant immersion, they just immediately start speaking Japanese at a normal rate and don't let up, rarely if ever pausing to let you know what they said. I can learn more Japanese by watching imported DVD's than I can with this, at least there you get some some context clues and some gesticulation if you're observant. <
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>I know it's cheap, but you generally get what you pay for. Pimsleur is expensive but worth every penny. It's only weakness is that you have to get your expanded vocabulary elsewhere, but the grammar and pronunciation are outstanding. Rosetta stone is great for vocabulary, but weak in grammar...the two work fantastic together if you don't mind the cost - but education is expensive. You're better off spending the money for one or two good programs than you are dropping 40 or 50 dollars a pop on cheap programs over and over until you find one you can actually learn something from. <
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>This may be a very good addition to an ongoing study, but don't get your hopes up if you're a complete beginner and this is the only program you're planning to buy. You'll be lucky if you learn how to hail a taxi.