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Rating: 
Summary: For mastering Japanese, not just get by.
Review: Although I haven't even finished the first of the 3 volumes, I can give an idea what this book is targeted at. This is "the book" for young adults who want to have Japanese as their 2nd language. This book is mostly in Japanese scripts, with almost no Romanji(using alphabits). The very first chapter forces the students to learn the Kana script, otherwise it is impossible to continue. Every lessons is organized into Objectives, Points, Sentences, Expressions, Formation, Drill, Role Play, Grammar Notes, Reading(from a few senteces early on to a newspaper ariticle in later lessons), and New Kanji Practice. You'll need companion tapes to help with smooth pronounciation if there's no one to help you with that. There are 30 lessons in total, divided into 3 volumes with 10 lessons each. 245 Kanji are covered in this series. In my opinion, this book makes you learn the language the hard way, which I think is the only way to master a new language. Remember this is NOT a book which anyone can just pick up and start reading, this is a school text book, you'll need a pen, papers, and hundreds of hours of practice
Rating: 
Summary: A step in a different direction for textbooks
Review: Designed to be used in classes with an experienced instructor who is familiar with the CLT method of language learning (Comunicative Language Learning), this series can be used easily by the student studying alone. The lessons are set on and around the International Christian Univesity campus, but (as is written in the intoduction) there is no need to stick to any set lessons. The text was designed to be flexible and usable the world over.As a word of advice, however, it would be best to accompany these texts with other grammer, vocabulary, and character guides as sometimes (and for some people) the explanations offered in the text are incomplete or difficult to understand. With application, particulary in an academic setting, in mind this series is most highly recomended for use in college classes. Unlike other texts, "natural" language (Japanese) is stressed above all else, even at the expense of quick understanding, meaning a knowlegable instructor or friend can be indespensible for fuller mastery.
Rating:
Summary: The best textbook I have used
Review: These books are for the serious learner who intends master the language. Lots of time and effort are required, but it will pay off enormously. I used these books in college and now am in Japan. They use a variety of methods to instill the patterns of grammer. They also teach Kanji at a reasonable pace. Do not buy these books for a quick fix approach. They take you through every step necessary to fully master the basics.
Rating:
Summary: The best language textbook I've ever used.
Review: This book is GREAT. I can't get enough of it. I went through the whole thing (the first one, there are four in the whole set) and I'm taking it with me next year when I go to be a foreign exchange student in Japan because it's such an indispensable guide. The exercises are pretty thorough and the readings are really good. The grammar in it can be a little much at times, but it's still excellent. And, once you work through it you feel like you've mastered it.
The only thing that I don't absolutely love about it is that I think that if you read some supplementary things (on the internet or whatever) about verbs especially ... (and adjectives a little) you'll be even better off. But it's not completely necessary, only if you want to fully understand EVERY aspect of the verbs, but the book still does a great job.
I recommend it 100% to anyone wanting to really learn Japanese.
Rating:
Summary: The best language textbook I've ever used.
Review: This book is GREAT. I can't get enough of it. I went through the whole thing (the first one, there are four in the whole set) and I'm taking it with me next year when I go to be a foreign exchange student in Japan because it's such an indispensable guide. The exercises are pretty thorough and the readings are really good. The grammar in it can be a little much at times, but it's still excellent. And, once you work through it you feel like you've mastered it.
The only thing that I don't absolutely love about it is that I think that if you read some supplementary things (on the internet or whatever) about verbs especially ... (and adjectives a little) you'll be even better off. But it's not completely necessary, only if you want to fully understand EVERY aspect of the verbs, but the book still does a great job.
I recommend it 100% to anyone wanting to really learn Japanese.
Rating:
Summary: A dry but helpful solution
Review: This is a very dry and boring book but it does teach Japanese. The text goes far into particles and verb conjugations. A complete mastery of Japanese is in this three volume set. It teach approximately 10 kanji at the end of each chapter. It provides reading excercises and grammar points. This is also useful for learning English from Japanese. Not as useful in learning english as it teaches Japanese. Provides informaiton on the readings and is overall one of the best buys for the price. Should be used with many supplements. Does not completely differientate the particles. A chart would have been useful. Does not point out many conjugation problems that other texts seem to when ddealing with the "ta and te" forms of the verb. Excellent for the college student and even somewhat on the college level. I use this for self-teaching myself.
Rating:
Summary: A dry but helpful solution
Review: This is a very dry and boring book but it does teach Japanese. The text goes far into particles and verb conjugations. A complete mastery of Japanese is in this three volume set. It teach approximately 10 kanji at the end of each chapter. It provides reading excercises and grammar points. This is also useful for learning English from Japanese. Not as useful in learning english as it teaches Japanese. Provides informaiton on the readings and is overall one of the best buys for the price. Should be used with many supplements. Does not completely differientate the particles. A chart would have been useful. Does not point out many conjugation problems that other texts seem to when ddealing with the "ta and te" forms of the verb. Excellent for the college student and even somewhat on the college level. I use this for self-teaching myself.
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