Yookoso, even from volume one, has always had problems. The textbook provides a lot of vocabulary which is nice( its cultural notes are also nice). I found it useful to reference and learn vocabulary at times when I wanted to learn new words from a different book source.
In my classes up until this point, we used Genki which I believe is a superior book over Yookoso by far. While Genki contains less vocabulary overall and sometimes not as immediately useful vocabulary, the kanji selection is better and the vocabulary it does teach isn't crammed like Yookoso's is.
Everything about Yookoso is crammed: it gives way too much vocabulary, making it a frustrating process to learn the grammar, memorize all of the words, and complete the workbook. Even its grammar instruction, which should be the most important part of a language textbook, is poorly explained, leaving me to seek other books and websites. I find Genki's grammar explanations to be more thorough.
It is also disappointing that not all vocabulary shoved at you in the chapter can be found in the vocabulary list for the chapter at the end of the chapter. Organization is poor, kanji selection is bizarre at times (even from the first Yookoso volume), grammar concepts are explained in a rushed manner and can feel out of order/randomly organized, the book will ask you to translate passages where grammatical concepts and vocabulary have not yet been taught, and book lacks the charm and personality of a textbook like Genki. If you are self-studying, I do not recommend using this textbook. Genki is far cheaper and if I did not have to use this book for my intermediate Japanese course I wouldn't use it at all. For all of the references and instructors involved in making this book, I am disappointed at the poor quality, especially since a lot of Japanese instructiors I have met do not like nor recommend the use of Yookoso for students. I would recommend books such as Genki, Seiichi Makino's Japanese grammar series, Kodansha's Kanji Dictionary (Kodansha also has a good Japanese dictionary), and Common Japanese Collocations: A Learner's Guide to Frequent Word Pairings instead.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle Cloud Reader.
Using your mobile phone camera, scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Flip to back Flip to front
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Money with Jess: Your Ultimate Guide to Household Budgeting
Learn how to get money, how to spend it and how to save it. Shop now
Frequently bought together
- +
Total Price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Customer reviews
Top reviews from other countries
Maria Thompson
Do Not Recommend. Shame that Certain Colleges Use this Book
Reviewed in the United States on 8 April 2017Verified Purchase
Kori
Textbook for School
Reviewed in the United States on 11 April 2016Verified Purchase
KPriess
Alright
Reviewed in the United States on 13 January 2013Verified Purchase
Yukiko Anderson
Better than Vol1
Reviewed in the United States on 21 July 2015Verified Purchase
Rei Bangerter
Interesting Book
Reviewed in the United States on 17 January 2014Verified Purchase
