Basically, the theory of RTK (and I believe it is correct) is that you can learn to write the kanji and associate them with a word in your native language very quickly.

To learn to write the kanji and how they are pronounced in isolation is somewhat futile, due to multiple pronunciations and irregular readings. It really does you no good to learn isolated readings without learning actual words, and it is a recipe for disaster to try to remember -all- the readings for all of the kanji - some kanji have six or seven readings.

To learn Japanese grammar and pronunciation fully and properly alongside the kanji stretches the learning process out to take years to cover all the kanji, making it difficult to apply what you're learning in reading actual Japanese. This is, however, the traditional (classroom) learning path.

If you do nothing but RTK in your Japanese studies, you can probably finish RTK1 in 6-10 weeks. If you muddle yourself with readings, other meanings besides the keywords, etc., it will take longer because you will be prone to forgetting.
Many people do this anyway, because they cannot maintain motivation to do RTK in isolation - but be aware of the tradeoff you are making - probably doubling actual RTK study time and stretching out calendar time to completion at least double again. Six months is a good guess if you do RTK alongside actual Japanese study.

(Next time someone posts this question though, I should just answer 'you didn't read the foreword, did you?' because the idea behind RTK is explained there... )

Last edited by SomeCallMeChris (2011 December 07, 9:19 pm)

Greiv, did you not read the introduction to the book?