I stumbled on a JLPT book shortlist that’s actually organized well (by level + skill area):
Before I follow it blindly: for people who’ve passed, which parts do you agree/disagree with? Any “avoid this series” opinions?
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I only heard mixed things about Japanese for busy people. Everything else I think you can learn from. Are all the materials optimal for you? I doubt it.
I’d recommend testing a few things out until you find something you like.
EDIT: If you have more concrete hints on what type of learner you are, at what level you are learning Japanese, what you want to focus on etc., people here might also be able to recommend some resources as well.
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Something about that website feels a bit artificial – I find myself not trusting that any of the reviews and opinions on it are genuine rather than chatgpt’d from reddit and other places.
I didn’t see anything there that wasn’t the usual set of books that most places will suggest anyway.
Incidentally, I don’t personally think it’s very helpful to try to structure your study around JLPT levels. A little directed study can be helpful, but most of the better resources (textbooks, grammar references, etc) are not JLPT oriented at all.
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I Just did the Test for the recommended Level. It would have been better to have “I don’t know” as an Option. I was able to correctly guess some questions and git N1 as a recommended Level. Im definitely not N1.
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You’re right, I’m probably over-optimizing the book choice instead of just starting. I’ll try a couple and commit to what clicks.
Quick question: when people say “mixed things” about Japanese for Busy People, is it mainly outdated language, too light for JLPT, or just not enough practice?
I get the “don’t study only for the test” angle. I’m using JLPT levels mainly as a milestone so I don’t drift, but I’m also doing non-JLPT stuff (native input + general grammar references).
Any non-JLPT resources you’d put in the “must use” bucket?
A long, long time ago I used JBP volumes 1 and 2 (kana editions) as my first ‘learn Japanese’ textbooks - they were more than adequate to get me to at least an N5 level, as well as giving me the confidence to visit Japan and feel comfortable handling at least the simple situations and conversations that a tourist would need - but I had the advantage of a private tutor who I worked with in a 1/2-hour session once a week (I don’t remember how many sessions in total, it might have been over the course of a year, or possibly slightly longer than that).
I think that those books work well with a teacher, either in a one-on-one setting or in a classroom.
I’m less convinced about their utility for self-study - but that is not how I used them, so perhaps I may be mistaken about that.
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I have that. There’s a heavy focus on work-related situations in the lessons and example dialogues (to the extent that I suspect the book should actually be called Japanese for Business People), but it’s not bad overall.
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If I’m correct it’s the english Version of “Japanisch im Sauseschritt”. I was forced to use This book in a VHS Kurs. It has extremely few Grammar Points per Volume. I read in a review that even after working through all 5 volumes you wouldn’t be able to pass N4.
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I also do not recommend Japanese for Busy People for self study
I’ve used the series as well (from Book 3 in a group course, German edition) and agree - I think the book works best with a teacher and you would feel lost doing it on your own. The vocabulary is introduced all over the place (throughout the chapter) and then not always reused. When I use words I learn there my friend tells me ‘we don’t say that anymore’. You have to contact the publisher to get the audio files. It also doesn’t address kanji well imo. There is simply a list of kanji that should get studied. Nothing else - no readings section that gradually remove furigana, etc.
Whereas Genki made sense. Vocabulary is introduced systematically, it’s very common vocabulary so it is also reused frequently. I got through it self-studying with ease (aside from procrastinating it the whole time). I like Genki’s first half (grammar) second half (reading) concept. It was nice to have some reading practice in addition to graded readers. Even if you’re using WK, it will still be useful, and it’s nice to have easy text that you can read at your level of grammar without furigana. Also there is an app for the audio, so it’s a lot easier to actually use. Genki also has workbooks and lots of videos online.
Also, another vote for what others have said. Don’t plan your whole journey, just find a resource that helps you get through your next step for your specific goals. That can save you a lot of money (buying resources you may not want to use later) and time (making a big plan you don’t follow because it turns out you end up going in a different direction).
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I agree. I changed my learning methods and learning Material so many times in Just one year and two months of studying.
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