I'd like to announce something, for people who think Genki is too expensive, for those wanting to… - Feed Post by KenjiSama
I'd like to announce something, for people who think Genki is too expensive, for those wanting to find a good textbook.
I recommend, Japanese for Everyone.
It's by Susumu Nagara.
I bought it online from Barnes n Nobles for 20 bucks. It's also on Amazon as well....
From the reviews, and my experience with it, it's a pretty good textbook. The reviews have told me that it covers more than both Genki books combined.
I'm on lesson 3, started May 11th. I really enjoy it. Teaches grammar, and teaches you everyday spoken Japanese. It has an ongoing story about a couple that moves to Japan, pictures, and many exercises that helped me remember the vocabulary and grammar.
It has the kana chart at the front of the book. The only downside is that it doesn't teach stroke order, but that's no problem, as I have a kanji dictionary on my phone, and also you could just use jisho.org anyways...
It introduces kanji slowly. Giving you vocabulary relevant to the story.
There is also an index in the back of the book. Sometimes, it introduces words that are not explained in the chapter, and it advises you to use the index.
Overall it teaches you 2500 words, and I believe 450 kanji, I'm not sure.
Reviews says it'll take you to high intermediate.
I like Genki, don't get me wrong, but I think the way it explains it doesn't work for me...This book kinda "dumbs it down" for me.
Now, don't tell me you can't afford 20 bucks.........
I recommend, Japanese for Everyone.
It's by Susumu Nagara.
I bought it online from Barnes n Nobles for 20 bucks. It's also on Amazon as well....
From the reviews, and my experience with it, it's a pretty good textbook. The reviews have told me that it covers more than both Genki books combined.
I'm on lesson 3, started May 11th. I really enjoy it. Teaches grammar, and teaches you everyday spoken Japanese. It has an ongoing story about a couple that moves to Japan, pictures, and many exercises that helped me remember the vocabulary and grammar.
It has the kana chart at the front of the book. The only downside is that it doesn't teach stroke order, but that's no problem, as I have a kanji dictionary on my phone, and also you could just use jisho.org anyways...
It introduces kanji slowly. Giving you vocabulary relevant to the story.
There is also an index in the back of the book. Sometimes, it introduces words that are not explained in the chapter, and it advises you to use the index.
Overall it teaches you 2500 words, and I believe 450 kanji, I'm not sure.
Reviews says it'll take you to high intermediate.
I like Genki, don't get me wrong, but I think the way it explains it doesn't work for me...This book kinda "dumbs it down" for me.
Now, don't tell me you can't afford 20 bucks.........
posted by KenjiSama
Comments 12
Wait, made a mistake. Lower intermediate, not high sorry.
One can get Genki for free, though it might be "illegal" just saying... The book you proposed is intriguing so thanks for the suggestion, I prefer a book that presents a story to go along with as you progress, it reminds me of the good old days of French in Action...(It was a year and a half ago). For those who can't afford said 20 bucks and wouldn't opt for "illegal" means (not that I imply thtat I opted for them of course) try Tae Kim. Free online and a downloadable pdf that is probably the best free non-"illegal" textbook take it with grain of salt thugh. The above said I think working with several sources is better so you get more vocabulary more sentences and see the same subject from several angles. Thank you agin for the great suggestion.
looking at this now, really happy you shared this, i was wondering whether to really spend that much on genki but now i think ill just get this one, ありがとう ：）- いいえ、どういたしまして。^_^
There's so many things in this book that I'm not gonna spoil it for you. Like the verb__oops my bad xD....
I highly recommend it if an 8th grader (graduating tomorrow yes!) can understand the context. - Forgot something.
Make sure to get the revised edition. But on the revised edition it doesn't have the audio tapes, but that's no problem since on YouTube there is a playlist that has all the audio on it. I'll keep in touch and post the link. 
I don't know if "an 8th grader can understand the content" works, really. The younger you are, the easier it is to pick up new languages. You're very lucky, I wish I had picked up the desire to learn earlier in life.
@Arachkid I feel you >.<- For those who are interested, make sure you get the 2008 edition and not the one from 1990(!).
- @Arachkid: Interested of what? and where can I get those?
- The 2008 edition is the revised edition. I think the 1990 version is not sold anymore..still, I would make sure I didn't buy the wrong one xD
- The old one came up in searches primarily online, more than two times as often as the new one, whether from American sites or Japanese ones. It is readily available.
That book is published by Gakken, right? I don't have that one but I do own a different Gakken book called "Japanese for Beginners", which I really love for what it is. It's kind of old now though, being written in 1976. The Japanese text is in romaji, since it is primarily for teaching "oral and aural skills", but I'd still highly recommend it (if it is actually still sold anywhere). ^^
I like how, handwritten by whoever it was who purchased it, my copy says it was bought in Tokyo in 1986. So it's the same age as me, haha. :P
I'm sure, if it's published by Gakken, the book you recommend is probably a decent, well structured book which doesn't hang about but gets straight to the point and covers a lot of ground quickly and effectively. If it's anything like the book I have.
