I'm an ALT with the JET program and I just gave up on the course they give us (way too fast paced). Anyways, I'm back trying to finish the last 5 chapters of Genki.
After Genki, do you have any suggestions for study materials? Also, do you have any suggestions for aiming at the N3? They can be the same materials or different, just trying to figure out where to go.
Which part of Genki are you trying to finish? I'm assuming Genki II since you're trying to go for N3. Just finishing Genki I won't be enough to get N3 (unless you have a few years of experience living in Japan).
If it is Genki I you're studying, then move on to Genki II when you're done. If you're close to finishing Genki II, go to a book store and get a book from the 完全マスターseries. I find they lay things out pretty well, and they're easy to study from.
The old series looks like this: http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E5%AE%8C%E5%85%A8%E3%83%9E%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC1%E7%B4%9A-%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E8%AA%9E%E8%83%BD%E5%8A%9B%E8%A9%A6%E9%A8%93%E6%96%87%E6%B3%95%E5%95%8F%E9%A1%8C%E5%AF%BE%E7%AD%96-%E6%A4%8D%E6%9C%A8-%E9%A6%99/dp/488319356X
...but it looks as though they have come out with books for the new test levels as well. Try to find something that looks like this: http://www.amazon.co.jp/%E6%96%B0%E5%AE%8C%E5%85%A8%E3%83%9E%E3%82%B9%E3%82%BF%E3%83%BC%E6%BC%A2%E5%AD%97-%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E8%AA%9E%E8%83%BD%E5%8A%9B%E8%A9%A6%E9%A8%93N2-%E7%9F%B3%E4%BA%95-%E6%80%9C%E5%AD%90/dp/4883195473
That one is for N2. I can't seem to find anything for N3 from that series, so you may want to try studying from the old level 3 and/or 2.
darkje - I used the Integrated Approach... book back in college for the 300-level class. I don't remember much about the content of the textbook, but I do remember liking it much more than Japanese for Busy People (my first, detested textbook from HS) or Nakama (the textbook my colllege uses for 100-200 courses; I only used 200, but I taught from 100 and it's pretty meh). The only thing I've encountered so far that I've liked better are the books I used from my study abroad program in Tokyo, but I don't think those are availabe outside Keio's system. and Becky - even if you don't turn in the tests on time, I think the JET books can be a good resource for studying on your own. Which level are you taking? I know if you don't turn all the tests in by the deadline for the last one you can't sign up for the study program the next JET year, but you can still study from them at your own pace and if you know someone who did finish, you can get the answers from them to self-check (or ask teachers to look at your tests for you)!
I used IJ myself, and I think your decision depends on your goal. If you're studying for just the JLPT, then you can probably get by with Kanzen Master and a lot of reading and vocabulary practice. However, if you're going for a more holistic approach that will make you a more well-rounded Japanese learner, then I would go with IJ. Of course, you could combine the two, since Kanzen Master is really focused on certain areas like grammar, kanji, and reading comprehension.
Hi there, I am aiming for N3 also.I am using 耳から覚える日本語能力試験N3 文法、語彙 (Mimikara oboeru nihongo nouryoku shiken N3, bunpou, goi) and 合格できる日本語能力試験N3 (goukaku dekiru nihongo nouryoku shiken N3). Good luck to everyone! ;)
I'll have to check into those books. Integrated course and Kanzen masters? I should also check on this site and on anki to see what pre-made flashcards will be available (I HATE inputting flash-card terms, but they are a great way for me to learn).
I am a few chapters away from finishing Genki II and only a few books into the JET courses - which probably are helpful for self-study. Would they help me prep for the N3 though?
I haven't really looked at any of the JET language books since my 1st year, and it's been longer than that since I saw Genki, but if the new format of the JLPT is testing language in application, then I think any resource would be a help at least!
Just a quick follow up, I bought IJ and the workbook from Kinokunya USA ( http://bookweb.kinokuniya.com/ ) and got them this week, cheapest I could find ($41 and $19).
My question is, are there any solutions for the workbook? I'm actually finishing off RTK this month and will then jump into the books fully then.
I was just surprised to where Genki had an answer book, this does not, so how do I know for sure that what I came up with was correct?
I also jumped into reading mangas (Yotsuba, Hayate no Gotoku and K-on) because they were so cheap at Kinokunya and I thought it would be good practice ;)
