Tofugu - Latest Comments in Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

Lasharae — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 18:18:33 -0000

Maybe Genki has changed a lot since the first edition; I think it's plenty entertaining for a textbook. Stories like Robert sleeping in class and Takeshi standing Mary up (sort of) are pretty fun. The way the Kanji study sections are set up (the last three I've gone through were a diary entry, a set of personal ads and a folktale) really helps break the monotony. Of course, I study with people who can find fun in anything, so maybe my circumstance is unique!

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

Kashell — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 08:44:28 -0000

I have the book Japanese For Everyone. I'm wondering how it compares to Genki. Is one better than the other? Should I use both? Thanks for any replies.

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

勇気恵子 — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:13:24 -0000

It doesn't hurt to use it to brush up on language skills either. Too many of us use too much slang and abbreviated words to the point it is like a totally different language than Japanese.

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

Danielle — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 01:00:24 -0000

I know this post is very old, but I'm going on an e-book downloading spree and this is the number one thing I'm looking for.

This is the textbook we use in class and if you're in the classroom setting (especially if you're in high school), it's a lot more enjoyable to use. Also, if you do the practice sections at the end of each chapter, whether or not if you're in a class or you're a self-teacher, they're a lot of fun since sometimes they offer pop culture celebrities, such as Madonna and Michael Jackson (etc etc) to do the exercises about.

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

TwoBlue — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 03:01:25 -0000

yeah i wish i got this starting out learning japanese. Ive only been studying for about...7 months now? But man, there are so many bad things you can fall into studying on your own in the beginning. (not saying im advanced or anything, i still consider myself beginner)yeah i wish i got this starting out learning japanese. Ive only been studying for about...7 months now? But man, there are so many bad things you can fall into studying on your own in the beginning. (not saying im advanced or anything, i still consider myself beginner)

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

Designer handbags — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 03:00:51 -0000

Expensive and not engaging gets a 10/10? Has the bar for learning materials been set that low?

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

CMS — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:54:29 -0000

oh, and many of the explanations don't translate very well into english, other times the explanations are too shallow. These are the things a japanese textbook for english speakers should do best.

My main comparison is to an iPhone app I have called "Human Japanese." The scope of the program is much shorter in length unfortunately, but the explanations of the mechanics of the grammar is superior.

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

CMS — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 23:49:26 -0000

man, I haven't tried anything else, but I don't like Genki. The example sentences need revamping for modern times, they don't provide enough examples of the grammar rules they introduce, and it seems like more practical vocab could be introduced (part of revamping I suppose).

the audio files are pretty bad recordings.

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

tomususan — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:15:23 -0000

Still no more text books reviews. Are some of them are coming soon ?

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

Kanoe — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 02:57:53 -0000

My Japanese 101-202 classes used the Genki books. I thought they were pretty good. You didn't find the story of Takeshi-san and Mary-san? SPOILER ALERT! Didn't anyone get even a little bit teary eyed when those two had their farewell at the airport? LOL

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

MasterKANG — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 01:09:19 -0000

My first year (going in to my 3rd year now (YAY!!!!)) I used Genki 1. We only got through 8 chapters of it but **** was it good. In fact the first couple of months I had it, I took it home and just did kana-calligraphy. ^_^ This is DEFINITELY a GREAT textbook. If you have even a decent teacher(the kind of one who goes home and reads the next chapter the day before they teach it) then this is the right textbook. Not like you'd really get much choice on the matter if you're in High School...or college but still. If you're self-taught i'm not sure how well this would work for you, the Genki text's were set up as a teacher/student thing really. But! If it works, it works.

Anyways, I think koichi did a GREAT job reviewing this textbook

Johnny, even if you do it all of a sudden and even manage to surprise yourself...I sincerely doubt that you'll kill a kitten by switching to Genki. You might, however, just make a dead kitten get it's wings... maybe ^_^
それじゃ、頑張ってよ!!

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

Jonny — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:46:13 -0000

I've been using みんなの日本語 (minna no nihongo - Japanese for everyone). I'm nearly through with it and I have to say it does move a bit fast. In two months I've covered the using tai, and the te, nai, and dictionary form. And now I'm starting on the ta form.

I'm covering these things, but I'm not sure how much I'm learning them. I feel like I'll need to go back a bit and do a lot of review to deepen my understanding of what I've studied.

I'm wondering if anyone has had experience switching from JFE to Genki. Not mid book, but after I finish this would it be terrible to try Genki II? I don't want something bad happen... like maybe it'll make a kitten die or something?

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

koichi — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 02:13:08 -0000

Yep, kanji isn't bad, and if you couple it with smart.fm lists (there are
lists for these books on that site) you've got yourself some good studies
right there.

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

NintendoExpedition — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 16:06:52 -0000

What level of kanji is taught? Do both volumes teach most kanji or at least stuff for beginners?

Anyway, the textbooks look awesome, and while I'm at it, are you planning any reviews for "instant gratification" textbooks? It'd be fun to slam a few of those romaji clad ripoffs into the ground.

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

Jamie — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 11:10:33 -0000

I just started taking Japanese my Freshman year of college and they switched to using Genki about a year before me. Having looked at the previous textbook they used ( its name escapes me at the moment) I find this one to be much more helpful. It teaches you at a steady pace and really is an excellent beginner book. Who ever said this book was expensive really must be a penny pincher because this book cost me about $40 where if we had continued to use the other text it would have cost me nearly $160.

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

koichi — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:09:17 -0000

Ha! This is a great review all in itself :) I should copy and paste this
into the article to replace mine :P Thank you for the awesome comment,
Jeremy!

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

Jeremy Majors — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:36:16 -0000

I used Genki I and II when I studied at Kansai Gaidai University in Hirakata City, Japan. I have to say that they are some of the best language textbooks that I have ever used (and I have taken several langauge courses). They were actually written by two former Kansai Gaidai professors, and they were written with University classes in mind. That isn't to say that they aren't good for self-study, because (with the workbook) they are better than almost any other supposedly "self-study" text.

One thing I like about the books, that Koichi didn't mention, is that in the back of both the main text and the workbook is the "Kanji Practice" section. Basically, the text is divided into two parts. Part I is Grammar and Vocabulary, Speaking, Listening, Dialogue, Exercises, and so on. Part II is located in the back of the book and focuses on Kanji and Reading. The stories are actually interesting and they are able to help you boost basic readings skills and somehow incorporate basic Kanji into the stories while still making it fun. For example, there is a story about Doraemon and one about Tanabata.

The workbooks are divided in the same way. The first part features the drills and exercises, while the back features pages designed to help you practice writing Kanji and Kana. Personally, I think they should have included 284 Kanji total (split between Genki I and II) which is what is required to pass the JLPT level 3.

Another thing that isn't mentioned in the review is that this textbook series is published by The Japan Times. In my personal experience, Japan Times makes the best books for learning at any level. They are all professionally done, with a more modern approach to learning, and they seem to be easy to understand and progress with. I can't say the same about other publishers, because I have used some other publishers' books and there are plenty of weak points to write about. Japan Times also publishes "An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese" and "Authentic Japanese: Progressing from Intermediate to Advanced," which are both just as nice as the Genki Series. They also publish "A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar," "A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar," and "A Dictionary of Advanced Japanese Grammar" that have really helped me understand Japanese grammar more in detail.

I have used several textbooks and I agree with Koichi when he originally gave it a 10/10. There might be some things that could be improved on for future editions, but as far as competition goes, the Genki series stands alone. I disagree with Koichi when he says that there is no "entertainment value" in these books, because other textbooks that I've seen had no entertainment value whatsoever. Genki may not have iPod-ish entertainment value - there is no touch screen on the books or funny jokes (maybe for a future version), but that can be left to the imagination of the people who are studying, right?!

Anyway, bottom line is do not buy any other textbook other than Genki if you are studying Japanese from the Beginning to Lower Intermediate levels.

Jeremy

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

elkarlo — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:28:08 -0000

You'd better :P

I didn't like Yokoso for beans though. I can't tell you how much I disliked that textbook.

Oh and I think one thing to add, Genki doesn't do a good job teaching wrods in a group. I never learned more than few colors. usually one a here or there. Or you will learn Wide, and then 10 chaperters later learn narrow.

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

erly — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 12:30:10 -0000

I have been using these books in the little spare time I have. It has been slow going, but I really like these books. I knew all the Kana and some Kanji going into it.

My way of learning so far - I write down all the vocab for flash cards, then I take notes (I have a special notebook for this) on things I think are important in the chapter - grammar structures, example sentences... whatever I think I should know or might need to refer to later on. (I usually forget this one, but reading the chapter before taking notes helps). Then I go through and do all the practice and exercises that can be done without a partner or group. Then I move onto the workbook for that chapter. And then I flip to the back and do the same thing for the corresponding kanji in the back. I even managed to find the kanji notebooks, so I practice in those as well. I have yet to get the CDs, so hopefully this payday, if Kinokuniya has them in stock.

It has worked pretty well for me so far... and I'm lucky to have Japanese translators at work if I have any questions about something I don't quite understand. I'd also recommend keeping a journal to practice grammar and vocab as you go. The more you learn, the more you can write.

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

koichi — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 16:10:40 -0000

Hope so - I just have to get my hands on some more textbooks :)

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

elkarlo — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 09:46:44 -0000

I like you review. It was indepth and pretty well thought out.

Now are you going to do more like you promised?

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

sophiebee — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 04:23:56 -0000

Hi Koichi.

Are the other textbook reviews coming soon? Genki sounds like a good book but I'd be interested to see what else is out on the market.

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

andra — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 02:37:21 -0000

I can recognise and write hiragana and katakana now, just started like 2 weeks ago ^^; I will check this book out at my local bookstore first, probably will get it.

do you have any recommendation for textbooks for learning kanji? probably should get a *physical* dictionary too ^^;

anyways good review, koichi! ^^

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

koichi — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 01:41:07 -0000

Genki covers kanji as well - also, check out my top ten list.
iKnow.co.jp is good for kanji and vocab

Re: Japanese Textbook Review: Genki I

bekah — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 12:35:27 -0000

My school uses this book for its Japanese class :) The school is a high school w/ a college schedule, so we don't meet every day. Despite that we move through the book at normal speed.

Its very easy to understand but here's my question:

Why don't the kanji lesson work along side the grammer/vocab lessons? Of course its not that hard because at first they provide kana above the kanji, but its really annoying, because I think you should learn it side by side.

I give it a 10/10 myself despite: out of all my textbooks- this is the best done. It does have a few problems- but what 10/10 product doesn't?