Hello! I am finishing up a textbook and my teacher suggested a few books to choose from next. I’d like to hear from people with experience in any of them (wasn’t able to find much info/review).
Finishing this week: An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese (AIAIJ)
I’ll also be working on the 新完全マスター N3 series one by one staring with the grammar book (also advised by my teacher). I want to focus on the main textbook so I’ll likely go through the 新完全マスター slowly.
At the moment I’m leaning towards 中級から上級への日本語 just because it’s the same publisher as AIAIJ. But I’d like to hear people’s experience with the all 3 books!
I… don’t know anything about An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese, but if it’s at all like Genki or Nakama, then Tobira is a good textbook to move on to (or, to give its full Japanese title, 上級へのとびら).
I have the impression that Tobira is considered similar to An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese, or perhaps it’s a step up? Will check it out tomorrow thanks!
After finishing AIAIJ, I’m currently studying with Tobira. As you rightly say, there quite an overlap between the two textbooks. For me it’s good because I wanted to review the grammar and allow it to settle in. In my opinion, Tobira is by far the more interesting textbook. If you want to progress fast, Tobira might not be the right option after AIAIJ.
I don’t know the other books but curious to know what others think since I will also need a new textbook soon.
That’s such a good idea to use Tobira as supplementary! I too feel the grammar didn’t stick as well as I hope (probably coz I didn’t use the workbook?) Maybe I’ll review the grammar there before starting 新完全マスター文法!
Tobira also comes with a very good workbook with plenty of grammar exercises and a separate kanji workbook (which I don’t use since WaniKani does the job).
Looking at my bookshelves, I realize that in fact I bought a while ago a used copy of 中級から上級への日本語、one of the books you are considering (had forgotten about it). It doesn’t look as much fun as Tobira, but I will probably try to go through it next. Curious to know whether the other textbooks are more interesting.
