Express Japanese

This is the third edition of one of the most highly regarded textbooks on the Japanese language: Genki 1: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese. This learning book is divided into 12 themed chapters. It covers speaking, listening, reading, and writing to cultivate overall language ability. This book is perfect for self-study Japanese. Emphasis has been placed on balancing accuracy, fluency, and complexity.

Each lesson in the revised edition of Genki 1 features a new “Culture Notes” section. This new part is designed to enhance student’s knowledge of Japan through information on Japanese culture and daily life. The vocabulary has also been updated with more modern and useful vocabulary. The grammar points presented in the volume are the same, though the explanations have been made even easier to understand.

Lastly, audio aids which were previously sold separately, have been included on an mp3 audio CD. This audio disc can be used with any music player. Please note that this book does not include any PDF you can download or online version access. Genki 1: An Integrated Course in Elementary Japanese is distributed by Tsai Fong Books, Inc.

Recommended for you if:

• You are a beginner and have not started learning Japanese yet.
• You prefer a comprehension orientated approach to language learning (detailed, easy to understand grammar explanations).
• You want to self-study, have a private teacher or visit a Japanese language course.

About this volume

Original Title: 初級日本語 げんき I 【第3版】
Pages : 384 (+ 1 CD & study app)
ISBN: 978-4789017305

Publishing Date: March 3rd, 2020

Textbook is easy to understand and figure out. I gave it 4 stars because on vocabulary pages, it also shows how it is pronounced, but doesnt state that…so if you think it is the Romaji (Roman letters) then you will get confused. But since I already have a grasp on it from taking classes a while back, it’s fine for us. Also on the vocabulary page where it gives words for family members, it only shows the words for “Someone’s Family” not necessarily your family or what you would call your own family members. You can look this up online and find the full list. It is only a little different, but in conversations, it could give a slightly different meaning.

The book does come with a CD with mp3 audio that you can easily put on your computer and listen to. This gives a better understanding of how it should sound and tests you on your listening comprehension. Not super easy to match up to the book, but not hard either.
One more reason I gave it only 4 stars is that it does not show stroke order for writing. This is important! Looking it up on google is easy but annoying that it is not in the book.

I do like the book and it is helping me learn Japanese. I would recommend it to everyone who wants to learn Japanese.