If using Heisig, should you learn Japanese traditionally alongside?

[treeAndrei]

Please refrain from all the Heisig-Anti-Heisig talk. I've read it all, and I'm going to give this a try.

That said, while learning using the Heisig method, should you study via a classical method as well? Or should you finish Vol 1 and 2, THEN begin applying it and using the volumes as references.

Namely, would going through a beginner's Japanese book and Heisig at the same time cause any problems with one or the other?

Thanks!

 

[Glenn]

You may find that some of the keywords that are chosen for the characters don't match the way they're being used in example sentences, but I can't really say it would be too much of a problem. Do you already know the kana? If so, using a book that has kanji with furigana would be ideal, I would think. Of course, this raises the question for me whether a beginner's book would have kanji in it in the first place. Do you have a specific book right now that you're talking about?

 

[treeAndrei]

Hi Glenn, thank you for the response.

I know the kana, and based on some limited research I was directed to 123Japanese. However, a friend says that it's no good and I've noticed it doesn't bother explaining some confusing topics (like using は in こんいちは).

That said, I'm considering Japanese for Busy People (same friend's recommendation)

 

[Glenn]

It seems to use kanji, kana, and romaji together, but mostly romaji. I suppose that isn't bad. It seems to do pretty well with explanations and examples, although I've only seen the preview on amazon.com. I don't see a problem with using that alongside Heisig aside from what I mentioned above.

 

[treeAndrei]

There are two versions. One is mostly romaji, the other is mostly kana.

Amazon product ASIN 1568363850
That's the kana version, which I figure is better (to get out of English ASAP). Just looked inside online for a bit and to my untrained eye it seems good. Also it doesn't seem to have too much kanji.

Thanks for the reply, again.

 

[Glenn]

Yeah, that looks pretty good, although I think including kanji wouldn't have been a big deal. But whatever. You'll get plenty of exposure to them in time.