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. "Kodansha's Hiragana Workbook" 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. 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 for free as a podcast.Frequent review pages allow students to test their understanding of the hiragana at various stages. The appendixes are where the fun and games begin. Here, students are introduced to handwritten forms and given listening exercises that call on them to distinguish between similar-looking characters. Grids for playing hiragana Battleship and Bingo are also included. Finally, there are 120 pull-out flashcards for playing Memory, Scrabble and other games. This is an all-new workbook for learning the ABCs of Japanese, complete with flash cards, games and free downloadable audio for every word introduced. It is designed so that students acquire vocabulary in addition to learning the characters; illustrations on almost every page make the learning process fun. It is ideal for learners of all ages, whether studying independently or in a classroom.