I think tobira is excellent for getting exposed to Japanese in a formal sense, learning grammar and relevant vocabulary. Tobira aims not to make you advanced but to get you out of the beginner stage and on to the advanced stage. Much of what it teaches is foundational. I had a lot of exposure to Japanese otherwise but I passed the JLPT N3 while on chapter 3 of this book lol Tobira is not an N2 book. It was written and published in 2009 when the JLPT only had 4 levels and the gap between N3 and N2 of that time was huge. In 2010, JLPT introduced the 5 level system where N3 was now the bridge level. So this book was meant to be an informal pre 2010 bridging book that is geared towards getting you closer to N2. People mistake this for an N2 BECAUSE the book describes that it takes kanji from "N2", what they meant is pre 2010, when the current N3 level did not exist.
Thank you for your review. I took N3 today but I’m I feel like I need to get more comfortable with the vocabulary and grammar of this level sp I’m going to go through Tobira this summer by myself.
I'm finallllllyyyy on chapter 13, after about 1.5 years of constantly using the book and revising chapters I've covered already. Almost there, 3 chapters to go. Probably to best textbook I've ever used in my life tbh. I bought the following book New Authentic Japanese; Progressing from Intermediate to Advanced Japanese, which I'll use after I finish Tobira. Btw, does anyone else learn every single word in the book like me? Is there any merit to doing this, or is it just not very efficient?
Personally I found the tobira grammar book to be crucial. The grammar explanation were often clear and all, and there were plenty of example sentences, but having exercises to really solidify what I learned was something that personally I really needed. As someone who went from Genki to Tobira... yeah the difficulty jump is not marginal, mostly because the reading sections are much more "native-like", but it's nothing unmanageable. Then again, I didnt just do Genki, but I also used a RTK joyou kanji deck, and had been using the Core6k anki deck for a while, so I might have had a bit of a leg up in terms of kanji/vocab. I sometimes had parts of the texts I didnt understand at first and had to reread a bunch of times and spend some time with them, but I never had too much trouble with the grammar sections and the example sentences. I loved the fact that the book didnt baby me, it felt like a challenge and that felt that much more rewarding, especially when I figured out something I initially couldnt The audio was fine as in I liked to listen to the texts while reading them sometimes, to focus on the correct pronunciation and understanding the "flow", not much value other than that But the part of the "multimedia" content that I thought was neat were the other extra: not every chapter had them but you often could see videos related to the reading sections of the chapter, or links to related/useful sites. There was this one chapter with a reading section about Osamu Tezuka, the godfather of manga, and the extra material was this cute youtube video series chronicling his life in animated format. (For people worried about the non-translated example sentences, there's a teacher's guide book with all the reading sections and grammar example sentences translated, if you dont wanna shell out money for that too, I'm sure you can find out some other way to acquire it... *cough cough*) All in all, I would recommend Tobira.... because it's the one I used lol, but also because I think the reading sections, being so dense with longer and complex sentences, really primed me for native material. I dont know if I agree with Chad's opinion that from here you can go textbook-less, I dont have the hindsight to make that statement yet, but what I do know is that soon after finishing Tobira, I started reading Orokamonogatari, a light novel from the Monogatari series, which is native level, aimed at young adults/adults, and the biggest difficulty I've found is by FAAAAR the vocabulary. Though I gotta admit that since I've started using the Shin Kanzen Master N3 grammar book, I've learned plenty of grammar structures: either new twists on ones I knew, or straight up ones I never saw before. And some of those were things I realized I'd come across reading that novel. So, I dont know, I think I'm gonna continue with textbooks, since I'll be studying in a Tokyo Language school starting January, hopefully in a post-N3 class (unless my brain farts during the "placement" test) so there I'll have to use textbooks regardless, but I'll be sure to continue using native material as well, it's too fun. Afterall, I'll be in Japan so I will not let the chance to buy all kinds of manga, anime and books escape :P EDIT: also yeah Tobira is nowhere near a N2 book lmao. It has SOME N2 grammar points but it's also missing some N3 points so it kind of evens out at it being basically an N3 text. After using it, most of the stuff I've seen in ShinkanzenN3 grammar has been reviewing for me
Hello! It's been a year, but maybe you'll see this. I was wondering if you bought the grammar practice book accompaying Tobira. I use it, and I know, it's lazy but the exercises take me forever. Like really, there are so many and I'm not sure if I do all of them I can ever make progress with the book. Also, I feel like I do the exercises and then maybe 1 month later, I forgot all about it ^^°. I'm still working on my approach...any suggestions?
Hi! I just wanted to thank you again for the book!! It's going to help me so much!! I really appreciate your reviews, too so thanks for posting these!!! It helps make the day to day decisions.
I'm about to buy both these books. I was able to get a copy of Tobira Kanji in Japan so I'll just need the other two. I'm finishing up JPNS 302 and my Sensei focused more on improving our listening and speaking skills using Marugoto Intermediate Vol.1. Once I finish Marugoto B1 Vol. 2 on my own Ill be moving to these over the summer. Super excited! I plan on moving to Japan in 2021 and I'm glad I found Chad's reviews. Super helpful.
Thank you so much! I already made up my mind to use Tobira before watching the video but I wasn’t sure wether it was the best option for me or not but now I’m 100%sure it is.
Nice. Sounds like Tobira will be what I go with after Genki II. I'll take the pain in the beginning to get a little farther in the end. One more chapter of Genki I to go before I can move on to II.
@@ThatsMyChad Ended up getting about 2/3 through this book before deciding I didn't want the 補助輪 any more and started going into native material instead. But I didn't feel like there was any big jump from the end of Genki II to this. There was more Japanese in it than Genki and the passages were twice as long, but Genki teaches you a lot and IMO puts you on good footing to tackle this. Still enjoyed the hell out of the book, as the reading passages were fun and I liked the concise grammar explanations.
Will you ever review the free course Marugoto from the Japanese foundation? (: also Chad I’ve been subscribed for so long and you never disappoint with your videos! Keep it up! 🌸✨
Marugoto is GOLD STANDARD not just because it's produced by Japan Foundation (the same body that makes the JLPT tests) but it's based on research around the ABSOLUTELY best ways to learn Japanese. The o line course is meant to be used with the Marugoto A1 textbook. The JF has published 7 textbooks to date up to JLPT N3 passing level or B1 according to their proficiency scale. All the textbooks come with online support save for the B1 intermediate textbooks which currently are limited to audio support.
@@lyonegra8204 It is an amazing book if you're trying to improve Kanji recognition, speaking, and listening! It's improved my speaking alot because the topics put you in everyday life situations. It also teaches you how stuff in Genki is used in daily Japanese situations. We use it for my JPNS301-302 class. And I was lucky and found Intermediate Vol 2 in Japan on sale. Plus you can self learn since the answers are in the back, and all the vocab/audio files are free online.
@@ThatsMyChad We used Marugoto intermediate 1 for my JPNS 301-302 class and it's an amazing book to help improve conversation. I'll be working on Intermediate volume 2 this summer self study.
I had not heard the term "bridge course" before. By chance, do you happen to recommend any materials that could act as a bridge course between either of these N3 textbooks and N2 materials (e.g. Kanzen Master N2)? The gap between Tobira and most N2 materials seems to be even bigger than the gap between Genki 2 and Tobira. I've been trying to find a structured way to bridge the gap.
Honestly I've read through a bunch of text books claiming to be a bridge, but truly they all are just mediocre compared to just shoveling words and grammar to catch up. I truly feel like post Tobira or whatever you're using for intermediate, it's time to take to native materials to learn. With a good grammar and vocab dictionary you should be able to navigate any tumultuous waters, and as long as you're continuing a solid pace of intaking kanji from a good vocab source (like the tango series) you'll be just fine. The gap isn't really in difficulty, it's purely just number of things that need to be known. And no textbook over comes that haha that's just consistency over many months.
@@marky.maku. I ended up going with the Tobira textbook and workbook. I still haven't actually dived into them; I'm still working on the last 2 chapters of Genki 2 and then I want to spend some time reviewing and practicing before I start diving into a whole new book. What do you think so far of the Integrated Approach book? :)
Hey chad kinda off topic here but I was curious as to what you want to accomplish from your studies in the Japanese language. I'm just stuck trying to figure out what I want to do in life since I recently graduated highschool and the only thing I'm sure of right now is that I want it to be in Japan. Thanks and keep up the great work 👍
I honestly just want to study it cause I like it at this point XD I wanted originally to study it for work, but... I've kinda already got work without needing to work for some faceless company. Then I wanted it to read books... but I can read books now. Honestly I just enjoy studying it as my hobby and pass time so even if I don't have a need to keep studying for some future job possibility or for a university entrance exam, I just honestly enjoy the process! Not a very helpful answer to a high school grad, I know, but it's an honest one. Find something in life you can enjoy regardless of if there's a job in it, and eventually if you love it enough and do it enough most people can turn that into an income to keep doing the thing they love imho ^_^
@@ThatsMyChad Ohhh ok, yeah no It's fine. I prefer an honest answer and it did help. I just want to enjoy what I do so im thinking about it hard so I don't end up a slave to what I do and trap my self in it. I'll try to stay in Japan for a month and see what speaks to me. Maybe I'll get lucky and end up finding something like you did. Thanks again Chad
When you just bought this book last week for your N3 studying because you've been downplaying yourself for 6 months and just keep studying Genki 1 and 2 on repeat even though you can identify all the N1-N5 kanji and just have to learn the readings(near native Chinese speaker) and pick up vocabulary but you need to stop playing around since you're going to a Japanese university within the next 2 years(MEXT program).
Chad broo!!! I'm going to Japan next month. I'll definitely look out for this book. I'm starting to get textbooks to prepare for my n3 next year. This will be my book after the genki series. I think I scored the integrated approach (older edition) for 5 bucks aud! I might go find it. I'm still considering getting the tobira grammar textbook as well. Cheers bro!! Ps: my friend has both integrated and tobira... And he says... if you are serious.... Get both lol
Bullet Journal z Agą honestly, I don’t think you need a textbook after this point, personally. I think you’ll make a vast amount more progress by grabbing a bunch of native reading materials, sub to a bunch of Japanese CZcams channels, and find websites for Japanese tv shows and movies in conjunction with a vocab book (the はじめての日本語能力試験単語 books are pretty great), and a grammar book (the intermediate and advanced grammar dictionary series). I think post these, it’s time to move to native materials. But that’s just me. I have a bunch of advanced and ore advanced textbooks but they are just bad versions of the method I mention above
Chad Zimmerman yep that’s what I meant - I already watch a bunch of Japanese shows with their subs and read native materials, but I know I need somethinggo broaden my grammar :) and grammar dictionaries dont really work for me ;) I like testing myself :D
Bullet Journal z Agą that’s a good attitude dude! There’s nothing wrong with challenging yourself! I’m going back to japan in a couple days to buy like, a thousand dollars in scholastic books to kill my self with this next year xD so I better get good at ancient Christian Japanese haha
Chad Zimmerman and I agree with your opinion on native materials, I’d actually say more, to include them from the very beginning (first tailored to your level, like readers or something), especially listening. Before I started Japanese, I already had listened to it for years because I was watching anime and dramas with subs. I remember that I tackled my first ever game when I was in the middle of N4 level (4 years into Japanese). I sucked but it felt great to finally understand some sentence. It feels even better know, since I know how much I can understand because I read and listen regularly. I try to read at least 1 manga chapter or 2 pages of a novel every day. And it really works! 😍👍
The whole series? I think so, but you’ll be missing quite a lot of kanji that’s assumed to enter. But if you’re willing to stop a lot and look up what you don’t know you’ll be okay!
I've yet to find a comprehensive N2 book because I don't think it exists. There's probably not a single book that'll take you from this and teach you 3000 words, get you on par for Kanji and teach you 280+ grammar points. It'd be too thick haha But there are several books you can use to cover all the areas that I've found: The はじめての日本語単語 books are really good for vocab and sentences. the Dictionaries of Japanese Grammar (its a three book set) are solid, but you only need the lower two for N2. A website/app called Bunpro has changed the grammar game for me. And for reading... just, read a lot of native materials haha at that level you should be able to open up Harry Potter and work your way through. I failed last N2 by 13 points and I can read it without any dictionaries or stopping. Maybe not knowing a word every 20 words or so? Maybe once a page.
I remember reading somewhere, long before I found you that tobira was less advanced than iaij, something like Tobira has 800 kanjis and IAIJ has 1000 thats is the amount you need to N2. After trying them I agree with you, I started 4 weeks ago, finally, the integrated approach, starting chap 5 now and found lot easier to go from genki, could read everything, somethings they even step back and stop using kanji then start again, I think tomodachi they stop in the beggining. But I will use both, liked both and hope to end them before the year ends, if everything keeps going like it is, maybe in 10 weeks more, maybe 15.
@@ThatsMyChad Great! I did Fuji a few weeks ago and already miss Japan. Glad to see you're still hitting the gym and studying Japanese. I'm wrapping up month #2 tackling Korean. Listening and pronounciation is definitely tougher than Japanese due to much less filler words and sounds not found in English. Enjoy Japan :) How long are you in Fukuoka for? I need to do a short trip there anyway and would love to meet up and chat about life and Japan if you're game. Any good way to get a hold of you, or only discord?
![[JAPANESE TEXTBOOK REVIEW] TOBIRA: GATEWAY TO ADVANCED JAPANESE 📘 上級へのとびら](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/KC5_y-K9WKY/mqdefault.jpg)
I think tobira is excellent for getting exposed to Japanese in a formal sense, learning grammar and relevant vocabulary. Tobira aims not to make you advanced but to get you out of the beginner stage and on to the advanced stage. Much of what it teaches is foundational. I had a lot of exposure to Japanese otherwise but I passed the JLPT N3 while on chapter 3 of this book lol
Tobira is not an N2 book. It was written and published in 2009 when the JLPT only had 4 levels and the gap between N3 and N2 of that time was huge. In 2010, JLPT introduced the 5 level system where N3 was now the bridge level. So this book was meant to be an informal pre 2010 bridging book that is geared towards getting you closer to N2. People mistake this for an N2 BECAUSE the book describes that it takes kanji from "N2", what they meant is pre 2010, when the current N3 level did not exist.
Thank you for your review. I took N3 today but I’m I feel like I need to get more comfortable with the vocabulary and grammar of this level sp I’m going to go through Tobira this summer by myself.
I'm finallllllyyyy on chapter 13, after about 1.5 years of constantly using the book and revising chapters I've covered already.
Almost there, 3 chapters to go. Probably to best textbook I've ever used in my life tbh.
I bought the following book New Authentic Japanese; Progressing from Intermediate to Advanced Japanese, which I'll use after I finish Tobira.
Btw, does anyone else learn every single word in the book like me? Is there any merit to doing this, or is it just not very efficient?
I can't speak for other's, but if there's a word list in a book I learn them all if I don't already know them!
Personally I found the tobira grammar book to be crucial.
The grammar explanation were often clear and all, and there were plenty of example sentences, but having exercises to really solidify what I learned was something that personally I really needed.
As someone who went from Genki to Tobira... yeah the difficulty jump is not marginal, mostly because the reading sections are much more "native-like", but it's nothing unmanageable.
Then again, I didnt just do Genki, but I also used a RTK joyou kanji deck, and had been using the Core6k anki deck for a while, so I might have had a bit of a leg up in terms of kanji/vocab.
I sometimes had parts of the texts I didnt understand at first and had to reread a bunch of times and spend some time with them, but I never had too much trouble with the grammar sections and the example sentences. I loved the fact that the book didnt baby me, it felt like a challenge and that felt that much more rewarding, especially when I figured out something I initially couldnt
The audio was fine as in I liked to listen to the texts while reading them sometimes, to focus on the correct pronunciation and understanding the "flow", not much value other than that
But the part of the "multimedia" content that I thought was neat were the other extra: not every chapter had them but you often could see videos related to the reading sections of the chapter, or links to related/useful sites.
There was this one chapter with a reading section about Osamu Tezuka, the godfather of manga, and the extra material was this cute youtube video series chronicling his life in animated format.
(For people worried about the non-translated example sentences, there's a teacher's guide book with all the reading sections and grammar example sentences translated, if you dont wanna shell out money for that too, I'm sure you can find out some other way to acquire it... *cough cough*)
All in all, I would recommend Tobira.... because it's the one I used lol, but also because I think the reading sections, being so dense with longer and complex sentences, really primed me for native material.
I dont know if I agree with Chad's opinion that from here you can go textbook-less, I dont have the hindsight to make that statement yet, but what I do know is that soon after finishing Tobira, I started reading Orokamonogatari, a light novel from the Monogatari series, which is native level, aimed at young adults/adults, and the biggest difficulty I've found is by FAAAAR the vocabulary.
Though I gotta admit that since I've started using the Shin Kanzen Master N3 grammar book, I've learned plenty of grammar structures: either new twists on ones I knew, or straight up ones I never saw before.
And some of those were things I realized I'd come across reading that novel.
So, I dont know, I think I'm gonna continue with textbooks, since I'll be studying in a Tokyo Language school starting January, hopefully in a post-N3 class (unless my brain farts during the "placement" test) so there I'll have to use textbooks regardless, but I'll be sure to continue using native material as well, it's too fun.
Afterall, I'll be in Japan so I will not let the chance to buy all kinds of manga, anime and books escape :P
EDIT: also yeah Tobira is nowhere near a N2 book lmao. It has SOME N2 grammar points but it's also missing some N3 points so it kind of evens out at it being basically an N3 text. After using it, most of the stuff I've seen in ShinkanzenN3 grammar has been reviewing for me
Hello! It's been a year, but maybe you'll see this. I was wondering if you bought the grammar practice book accompaying Tobira. I use it, and I know, it's lazy but the exercises take me forever. Like really, there are so many and I'm not sure if I do all of them I can ever make progress with the book. Also, I feel like I do the exercises and then maybe 1 month later, I forgot all about it ^^°. I'm still working on my approach...any suggestions?
Hi! I just wanted to thank you again for the book!! It's going to help me so much!! I really appreciate your reviews, too so thanks for posting these!!! It helps make the day to day decisions.
Brooke Spiker ^_^ I’m glad you got it!!! I’m always nervous when it comes to mail
@@ThatsMyChad trust me I deliver mail so I completely get it!! Haha
I'm about to buy both these books. I was able to get a copy of Tobira Kanji in Japan so I'll just need the other two. I'm finishing up JPNS 302 and my Sensei focused more on improving our listening and speaking skills using Marugoto Intermediate Vol.1. Once I finish Marugoto B1 Vol. 2 on my own Ill be moving to these over the summer. Super excited! I plan on moving to Japan in 2021 and I'm glad I found Chad's reviews. Super helpful.
Thank you so much! I already made up my mind to use Tobira before watching the video but I wasn’t sure wether it was the best option for me or not but now I’m 100%sure it is.
Nice. Sounds like Tobira will be what I go with after Genki II. I'll take the pain in the beginning to get a little farther in the end.
One more chapter of Genki I to go before I can move on to II.
Get it Homer!!
@@ThatsMyChad Ended up getting about 2/3 through this book before deciding I didn't want the 補助輪 any more and started going into native material instead. But I didn't feel like there was any big jump from the end of Genki II to this. There was more Japanese in it than Genki and the passages were twice as long, but Genki teaches you a lot and IMO puts you on good footing to tackle this. Still enjoyed the hell out of the book, as the reading passages were fun and I liked the concise grammar explanations.
I'm about to start this text book in class next term. Looks like a bit of a jump from Minna no Nihongo Chuukyuu 1 that we just finished.
Thanks for the info on the two books. Really fantastic analysis!
Much appreciated.
I just bought the tobira one I like it better than Genki, at least how things are shown
Will you ever review the free course Marugoto from the Japanese foundation? (: also Chad I’ve been subscribed for so long and you never disappoint with your videos! Keep it up! 🌸✨
They've been added to the list! This is my first time hearing about them ^_^
And thank you so much Giorgia!
Marugoto is GOLD STANDARD not just because it's produced by Japan Foundation (the same body that makes the JLPT tests) but it's based on research around the ABSOLUTELY best ways to learn Japanese. The o line course is meant to be used with the Marugoto A1 textbook. The JF has published 7 textbooks to date up to JLPT N3 passing level or B1 according to their proficiency scale. All the textbooks come with online support save for the B1 intermediate textbooks which currently are limited to audio support.
@@lyonegra8204 It is an amazing book if you're trying to improve Kanji recognition, speaking, and listening! It's improved my speaking alot because the topics put you in everyday life situations. It also teaches you how stuff in Genki is used in daily Japanese situations. We use it for my JPNS301-302 class. And I was lucky and found Intermediate Vol 2 in Japan on sale. Plus you can self learn since the answers are in the back, and all the vocab/audio files are free online.
@@ThatsMyChad We used Marugoto intermediate 1 for my JPNS 301-302 class and it's an amazing book to help improve conversation. I'll be working on Intermediate volume 2 this summer self study.
I had not heard the term "bridge course" before. By chance, do you happen to recommend any materials that could act as a bridge course between either of these N3 textbooks and N2 materials (e.g. Kanzen Master N2)? The gap between Tobira and most N2 materials seems to be even bigger than the gap between Genki 2 and Tobira. I've been trying to find a structured way to bridge the gap.
Honestly I've read through a bunch of text books claiming to be a bridge, but truly they all are just mediocre compared to just shoveling words and grammar to catch up. I truly feel like post Tobira or whatever you're using for intermediate, it's time to take to native materials to learn. With a good grammar and vocab dictionary you should be able to navigate any tumultuous waters, and as long as you're continuing a solid pace of intaking kanji from a good vocab source (like the tango series) you'll be just fine. The gap isn't really in difficulty, it's purely just number of things that need to be known.
And no textbook over comes that haha that's just consistency over many months.
thank you for comparing the two textbooks that i was struggling to choose between :D
Which you choose? I chose the integrated approach
@@marky.maku. I ended up going with the Tobira textbook and workbook. I still haven't actually dived into them; I'm still working on the last 2 chapters of Genki 2 and then I want to spend some time reviewing and practicing before I start diving into a whole new book. What do you think so far of the Integrated Approach book? :)
Hey chad kinda off topic here but I was curious as to what you want to accomplish from your studies in the Japanese language. I'm just stuck trying to figure out what I want to do in life since I recently graduated highschool and the only thing I'm sure of right now is that I want it to be in Japan. Thanks and keep up the great work 👍
I honestly just want to study it cause I like it at this point XD I wanted originally to study it for work, but... I've kinda already got work without needing to work for some faceless company. Then I wanted it to read books... but I can read books now. Honestly I just enjoy studying it as my hobby and pass time so even if I don't have a need to keep studying for some future job possibility or for a university entrance exam, I just honestly enjoy the process! Not a very helpful answer to a high school grad, I know, but it's an honest one. Find something in life you can enjoy regardless of if there's a job in it, and eventually if you love it enough and do it enough most people can turn that into an income to keep doing the thing they love imho ^_^
@@ThatsMyChad Ohhh ok, yeah no It's fine. I prefer an honest answer and it did help. I just want to enjoy what I do so im thinking about it hard so I don't end up a slave to what I do and trap my self in it. I'll try to stay in Japan for a month and see what speaks to me. Maybe I'll get lucky and end up finding something like you did. Thanks again Chad
Yuki Kobayashi it’s not a bad approach ^_^
Thank you so much ! Can you please suggest me some books for JLPT N3? I have just finished Minna no nihongo 1&2.
If this is an intermediate text book then what do you call an Advanced text book?
When you just bought this book last week for your N3 studying because you've been downplaying yourself for 6 months and just keep studying Genki 1 and 2 on repeat even though you can identify all the N1-N5 kanji and just have to learn the readings(near native Chinese speaker) and pick up vocabulary but you need to stop playing around since you're going to a Japanese university within the next 2 years(MEXT program).
Braxton Girtman this’ll be a good help i believe! Welcome to the big leagues 😊✌️
question: what happened to japanese ressource review #12? lol
You still haven't reviewed the Assimil course, which upsets me :/
I love Assimil Japanese vol 1 and 2.
Chad broo!!!
I'm going to Japan next month. I'll definitely look out for this book. I'm starting to get textbooks to prepare for my n3 next year.
This will be my book after the genki series.
I think I scored the integrated approach (older edition) for 5 bucks aud! I might go find it.
I'm still considering getting the tobira grammar textbook as well.
Cheers bro!!
Ps: my friend has both integrated and tobira... And he says... if you are serious.... Get both lol
Hey you can go wrong with both XD
Oh hey, this was the textbook I used in Uni.
this video is sooo great!! thank you so much!
I bought the integrated intermediate Japanese book. Hope it's just as good...
I used that book it's perfectly fine :D
Then what book on 上級, after Tobira or Integrated Approach? :P Apart from that next instalment from Approach (white cover) - because I hate that one XD
Bullet Journal z Agą honestly, I don’t think you need a textbook after this point, personally. I think you’ll make a vast amount more progress by grabbing a bunch of native reading materials, sub to a bunch of Japanese CZcams channels, and find websites for Japanese tv shows and movies in conjunction with a vocab book (the はじめての日本語能力試験単語 books are pretty great), and a grammar book (the intermediate and advanced grammar dictionary series). I think post these, it’s time to move to native materials. But that’s just me. I have a bunch of advanced and ore advanced textbooks but they are just bad versions of the method I mention above
Chad Zimmerman yep that’s what I meant - I already watch a bunch of Japanese shows with their subs and read native materials, but I know I need somethinggo broaden my grammar :) and grammar dictionaries dont really work for me ;) I like testing myself :D
Bullet Journal z Agą that’s a good attitude dude! There’s nothing wrong with challenging yourself! I’m going back to japan in a couple days to buy like, a thousand dollars in scholastic books to kill my self with this next year xD so I better get good at ancient Christian Japanese haha
Chad Zimmerman and I agree with your opinion on native materials, I’d actually say more, to include them from the very beginning (first tailored to your level, like readers or something), especially listening. Before I started Japanese, I already had listened to it for years because I was watching anime and dramas with subs. I remember that I tackled my first ever game when I was in the middle of N4 level (4 years into Japanese). I sucked but it felt great to finally understand some sentence. It feels even better know, since I know how much I can understand because I read and listen regularly. I try to read at least 1 manga chapter or 2 pages of a novel every day. And it really works! 😍👍
Not sure if you will see this, but do you think I could go from JFZ to an integrated approach?
The whole series? I think so, but you’ll be missing quite a lot of kanji that’s assumed to enter. But if you’re willing to stop a lot and look up what you don’t know you’ll be okay!
@@ThatsMyChad I'm using the jp1k from refold as well as immersion with migaku so I may know them
Thank you! You're amazing! :*
No YOU ARE amazing :)
is not for beginner!
Then what would be the most comprehensive N2 book?
I've yet to find a comprehensive N2 book because I don't think it exists. There's probably not a single book that'll take you from this and teach you 3000 words, get you on par for Kanji and teach you 280+ grammar points. It'd be too thick haha But there are several books you can use to cover all the areas that I've found: The はじめての日本語単語 books are really good for vocab and sentences. the Dictionaries of Japanese Grammar (its a three book set) are solid, but you only need the lower two for N2. A website/app called Bunpro has changed the grammar game for me.
And for reading... just, read a lot of native materials haha at that level you should be able to open up Harry Potter and work your way through. I failed last N2 by 13 points and I can read it without any dictionaries or stopping. Maybe not knowing a word every 20 words or so? Maybe once a page.
Jan-Michael Vincent's legs were great to look at in the world's greatest athlete
He was a specimen
Ah, my man Jan Michael Vincent. What a legend RIP:3
RIP JAN. PRESS F IN CHAT
Our Japanese aficionado is at it again.
Gopher Lee the internet’s weeby, annoying younger brother.
I remember reading somewhere, long before I found you that tobira was less advanced than iaij, something like Tobira has 800 kanjis and IAIJ has 1000 thats is the amount you need to N2. After trying them I agree with you, I started 4 weeks ago, finally, the integrated approach, starting chap 5 now and found lot easier to go from genki, could read everything, somethings they even step back and stop using kanji then start again, I think tomodachi they stop in the beggining. But I will use both, liked both and hope to end them before the year ends, if everything keeps going like it is, maybe in 10 weeks more, maybe 15.
toe-beer-uhh xD
SUCK IT SALLY
First. Raced and LOST SON
Chaaad! What's up bruh
Re3iRtH rebirth!! How’s the medicines of Asian treating you??
@@ThatsMyChad Great! I did Fuji a few weeks ago and already miss Japan. Glad to see you're still hitting the gym and studying Japanese. I'm wrapping up month #2 tackling Korean. Listening and pronounciation is definitely tougher than Japanese due to much less filler words and sounds not found in English.
Enjoy Japan :) How long are you in Fukuoka for? I need to do a short trip there anyway and would love to meet up and chat about life and Japan if you're game. Any good way to get a hold of you, or only discord?
Yo chad!
The Plague Doctor first non-Chad comment verified! What’s up dude how’s class!
@@ThatsMyChad doin great so far sir! Loving every minute of it!
@@Theplagueisinyou I just started my fall semester too and It's really fun, but the papers suuuuuck. They take so much Japanese time from me
@@ThatsMyChad Agreed fuckin essay upon essay is fuckin bullshit
Honestly, I hate the tobira book.
Stop shouting.
stop watching lol
You can turn down the volume :)
Tobira’s a hot mess
White dude -,- !