Books1
Learning materials
by Kota Aramaki
This list of study materials for Japanese learners is made by the staff members of webjapanese. We intend to add some more little by little.
Dictionaries
Speaking of dictionaries, there are some good ones for beginners but there are only a few that cover from the beginner level to the intermediate level.
Begginer level
Basic Japanese English dictionary
This dictionary offers good explanations on usage with lots of examples. It would be the best choice for beginners. As it is a learner’s dictionary, it has a limited vocabulary.
About 3000 words
＊ It has different language editions.
| amazon.co.jp
Furigana Japanese-English,English-Japanese dictionary
This is one of the best dictionaries among those covering from the beginner level to the intermediate level. It features rich vocabulary coverage.
About 30,000 words
| amazon.co.jp
Furigana Japanese-English Dictionary
About 16,000 words
| amazon.co.jp
Furigana English Japanese Dictionary
About 14,000 words
| amazon.co.jp
Kodansha Kanji Learners Dictionary
This Kanji dictionary features characteristics that enable learners to look up Kanji easily.
* See WIkipedia
| amazon.co.jp
Kodansha Pocket Kanji Guide
It has solid coverage for the price.
| amazon.co.jp
Advanced level
Meikyo Japanese dictionary
It is a new Japanese dictionary that came on the market in 2002. It has plenty of explanations with examples provided for each usage.
Among the dictionaries for native speakers of Japanese, this is the first one that we would like to recommend to advanced learners.
| amazon.co.jp
ＮＨＫaccent dictionary by Japan Broadcasting Corporation
This dictionary sets standards for working on pronunciation and stress in the Japanese language. It is a must item for professional newscasters and TV presenters.
| amazon.co.jp
Electronic dictionary
You have to know at least 500 or more, preferably more than 1000 Kanji characters in order to use an electronic dictionary effectively. We recommend the Canon Wordtank ranges, which come with manuals written in English. For students specialising in the Japanese language or Japanese literature, CASIO Ex-word XD-F2000 would be a good choice.
Canon wordtank
Amazon.co.jp
CASIO Ex-word XD-F2000
Amazon.co.jp
Text books
Most textbooks are supposed to be used under the guidance of the teacher in classrooms and private lessons. In this way, students sometimes do not get many opportunities to practise the language even though their understanding of the language has advanced. In the end, this will affect students’ progress.
Here we have listed textbooks that can be used by students working alone (if they are motivated to work). They also contain some explanations in English.
Begginer level
Genki 1 : An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese 1
This is one of the best textbooks for beginners.
| amazon.co.jp
Genki 2 : An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese II
| amazon.co.jp
Japanese for busy people
This is the most famous and standard textbook used in English speaking countries. It is not bad.
Japanese for busy people
| amazon.co.jp
Japanese Through Dialogues For intermediate learners
This textbook is designed for pre-intermediate learners. It enables them to apply what they have learnt in the beginner level to practical conversations while reviewing. The conversation-focused feature is also valuable, as there is usually much less conversation focus after the beginner level. However, you still have to be motivated when studying alone.
| amazon.co.jp
BASIC KANJI BOOK 500 Vol.1
This is one of the best Kanji textbooks among many. I can’t fault it.
| amazon.co.jp
BASIC KANJI BOOK 500 Vol.2
| amazon.co.jp
INTERMEDIATE KANJI BOOK vol.1
| amazon.co.jp
INTERMEDIATE KANJI BOOK vol.2
| amazon.co.jp
200 Essential japanese Expressions: A Guide to Correct Usage of Key Sentence Patterns
どんなとき どう使う 日本語表現文型 200
In this textbook, key sentences that are taught in the beginner level are well structured. It is handy to have this before taking an exam.
| amazon.co.jp
500 Essential japanese Expressions: A Guide to Correct Usage of Key Sentence Patterns
どんなとき どう使う 日本語表現文型 500
This is also used by many Japanese language schools for preparations of the Japanese proficiency test.
| amazon.co.jp
Successful Communication in Japanese
なめらか 日本語会話
This textbook is designed for learners who have completed more than 50% of the beginner level. It helps them to understand spoken Japanese. If you have no idea how to grasp spoken Japanese, this is the book you need.
| amazon.co.jp
Exercise book
As many exercise books do not give good enough explanations for answers, they are best used under the guidance of a Japanese teacher.
Nihongo unyoo-ryoku yoosei mondaishuu
日本語運用力養成問題集
This is a perfect exercise book for pre-intermediate learners who would like to work on conversation skills. It is a well-written exercise book, but it might be hard to use as a self-study book.
| Vol.1 amazon.co.jp
Links for Amazon shop
| Amazon.co.jp
Web Japanese Vote
Messages from the webjapanese staff
You bought a good dictionary, textbooks and exercise books that are appropriate for your level. Now you are well equipped and motivated, but there is a key ingredient missing, a good Japanese teacher who can support your study.
http://webjapanese.com/lesson.html
Our lesson