TheJapanShop.com Random Sale

Hey everyone, just a heads up. TheJapanShop.com is having another random sale good until February 20th. So if you are looking to buy that Kanji-geek-special-interest friend something useful for Valentines Day, now’s the time to shop.

You can use the TheJapanShop coupon code “cp108″ and get 5% off of pretty much anything except the MP3 files for JLPT study.

Note: Be sure that you enter the coupon code before you click the checkout button. The text field for the coupon code is down on the bottom of the shopping cart page. A little hard to spot, so keep your eyes peeled, like a kumquat.

The helpful Genki Textbook Series is available as always… If you’re beginner to intermediate level and can  have only  one Japanese textbook, this is the one to get.

…As is the always powerful GW-9600 Sharp electronic dictionary (I’m still lovin’ it. I’ve reached the point where I can write Kanji into the dictionary with my fingernail while standing on a semi-crowded train)…

Other than those two, I would also recommend taking a look at  the following JLPT prep-books.

These are the exact books (well, same series, these have been updated since I used them in 2003!) that I used to prepare for the  JLPT level 1.

JLPT Level 1 Grammar Complete Master 

The Same book series for Level 2 is also available: JLPT Level 2 Grammar Complete Master

This book covers the grammar on the JLPT exam. It eventually introduces you to all the patterns that are used on the exam, and plenty of example sentences and problems. Once you have taken your time to get through this book you’ll be ready for the grammar part of the exam for sure. It really works. There is no CD, but you won’t need one for grammar study. You can take a look at scans of the inside of the book on TheJapanShop page.

Note, I only used the Level 1 book, but I’m sure the Level 2 book is just as good.

The same 完全マスターseries also makes a Kanji book which I also used to prepare for the Kanji on the exam, but TheJapanShop doesn’t seem to have it at the moment. Keep an eye out for it, it was good as well. Really it was just a giant list of Kanji… But they -were- the Kanji that appear on the exam, so it’s valuable. I distinctly remember cramming the provided Kanji list down before the exam while waiting in the hallway…

This next book was great because it includes the actual JLPT test from the previous year right in the book, with answers.

2006 1,2 Levels Japanese Language Proficiency Test with CD

The JLPT exams are extremely similar from year to year, so if you can handle the sample test in this book, you’ll be able to handle the actual exam… Assuming of course that the pressure of the actual event doesn’t break you… That silent room… The clean white desk with nothing on it but an exam and a pencil… The tick of the clock… Scary.

Seriously though, what better way to study for the exam could there be? A CD is also included that has the listening portion. There is only one sample exam, so I would recommend taking it before you start studying anything at all to see how much work you need to do, and then taking it again maybe 1 month before the exam for a final check. Hopefully your preparation period will be long enough that you forget the actual test questions between the 1st and 2nd time you take it. Of course, if you have a memory like a vault you can always order other previous exams from the JapanShop as they have them stocked as well.

Anyway, happy sale shopping!

- Harvey