Japanese learning resources...

[fayebelly]

Ok, so it's Christmas list writing time!


Any good resources anyone suggests for learning lower-intermediate level Japanese?
What do you use?

I'm not after websites here... I'm after books, DS games, Comuter Programmes etc. Also, I do not want any work books or anything that communicates in romaji...

[Ukryu]

http://smart.fm - always a good site, always worth mentioning, even if you're not looking for sites xd
http://japanesepod101.com - it's a podcast that teaches all levels of Japanese. You can download all of the current episodes for $15 USD

I use Genki II, which so far is even better than the first one

if you have an iPod Touch or iPhone, there's some good Japanese apps to check out:
Kotoba - free offline dictionary
shinkanji lite - an app for studying kanji, shows stroke orders really nicely
Japanese flip - flashcards with a spaced repetition formula. Contains four levels which correspond to the jlpt levels, but you're also able to add your own words. Costs $5 though

well a lot of these things are free, but sometimes free things are better xp

Edit: I completely missed the Christmas part lol.

Genki 2 is a good book, and Japanesepod101 is also good. If you're looking for a new mp3 player I highly suggest getting an iPod Touch, they're amazingly useful in every way imaginable, including studying Japanese.

[J.T3]

I was really fond of buying Children Books and other every day literature off of Ebay and Amazon

[1LitreofTears_Sakura]

Ukryu

http://smart.fm - always a good site, always worth mentioning, even if you're not looking for sites xd
http://japanesepod101.com - it's a podcast that teaches all levels of Japanese. You can download all of the current episodes for $15 USD

I use Genki II, which so far is even better than the first one

if you have an iPod Touch or iPhone, there's some good Japanese apps to check out:
Kotoba - free offline dictionary
shinkanji lite - an app for studying kanji, shows stroke orders really nicely
Japanese flip - flashcards with a spaced repetition formula. Contains four levels which correspond to the jlpt levels, but you're also able to add your own words. Costs $5 though

well a lot of these things are free, but sometimes free things are better xp

Edit: I completely missed the Christmas part lol.

Genki 2 is a good book, and Japanesepod101 is also good. If you're looking for a new mp3 player I highly suggest getting an iPod Touch, they're amazingly useful in every way imaginable, including studying Japanese.

Really? I've read reviews where people said that Genki I explained things much better than Genki II, and I kind of have to agree because there were more example sentences in Genki I than Genki II. For example, I had trouble understanding なら and (period) に (frequency) per (period) in lesson 13 because there weren't enough example sentences. And then in Lesson 15, you only learn three new grammar stuff. Everything else you want to know about, you have to read in the Expression Notes. Sometimes the Expression Notes confuse me, especially the one on Lesson 15 where it tried to explain 思ってるんだけど and 言ってたから.

[Ukryu]

I'm in the middle of chapter 14 and so far the explanations seem to be just as good as they were in the first book. Except for nara like you said. I just think that it's better because there are reading selections in the kanji sections, which is a nice addition.

[fayebelly]

......

......... So far you guys have given me websites and work books... I specifically asked for neither... ><

[1LitreofTears_Sakura]

Genki isn't a workbook. It's a textbook. o.o

[Linh_Hoa]

1LitreofTears_Sakura

Genki isn't a workbook. It's a textbook. o.o

But they have a workbook, too, remember?

[PolyglotKoko]

fayebelly

......

......... So far you guys have given me websites and work books... I specifically asked for neither... ><

A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar - Seiichi Makino (One of the Nakama authors), Michio Tsutsui
A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar
A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar
They are a bit expensive. I don't know the pound equivalent but in yen because it was printed in Japan. It costs 3,700￥(Roughly $40.00 USD).

[fayebelly]

1LitreofTears_Sakura

Genki isn't a workbook. It's a textbook. o.o

'Eh... Same thing... I dislike organised learning that hasn't been organised by me... ><

[neko_amamori]

Fundamentals of Japanese Grammar by Yuki Johnson is FANTASTIC.
Harry Potter in Japanese (able to be purchased from ebay)
Breaking into Japanese Literature
I've also heard that Remembering the Kanji is a really good resource, but I haven't gotten my copy yet to verify that.
Pokemon in Japanese for the DS is also reallyreally good. I got my copy of Heart-gold and am loving it. It's easy to read, but it really boosts your confidence.

[1LitreofTears_Sakura]

neko_amamori

Fundamentals of Japanese Grammar by Yuki Johnson is FANTASTIC.
Harry Potter in Japanese (able to be purchased from ebay)
Breaking into Japanese Literature
I've also heard that Remembering the Kanji is a really good resource, but I haven't gotten my copy yet to verify that.
Pokemon in Japanese for the DS is also reallyreally good. I got my copy of Heart-gold and am loving it. It's easy to read, but it really boosts your confidence.

Wouldn't it be hard for a lower-intermediate Japanese learner to read Harry Potter in Japanese?

[Grim Inari]

私は日本語じょうずではありません。

[PolyglotKoko]

Grim Inari

私は日本語じょうずではありません。

We know already quit spamming every Japanese related thread and LEARN MORE Japanese if you're really THAT bad.
ちゃんとした日本語のスレを出したいんなら、最初正しい日本語を習ってからにしましょうね！

[i know nothing.]

1LitreofTears_Sakura

neko_amamori

Fundamentals of Japanese Grammar by Yuki Johnson is FANTASTIC.
Harry Potter in Japanese (able to be purchased from ebay)
Breaking into Japanese Literature
I've also heard that Remembering the Kanji is a really good resource, but I haven't gotten my copy yet to verify that.
Pokemon in Japanese for the DS is also reallyreally good. I got my copy of Heart-gold and am loving it. It's easy to read, but it really boosts your confidence.

Wouldn't it be hard for a lower-intermediate Japanese learner to read Harry Potter in Japanese?

A lot of the kanji would have the readings added via furigana, because it's been translated for children to be able to read. When I saw a friend's copy, it didn't look that bad. If you are familiar with the story, you'll have the advantage of knowing in general where the story is going, and your ability to deduce the meaning is increased.

It's not a bad idea to use childrens books as a learning resource.