Product Description

Aims to guide readers to a fluent use of the Japanese language. Placing emphasis on language as spoken between educated adults, the integrated approach of the course increases speed of comprehension. This kana version expands vocabulary and structure to bring the student to the intermediate level.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #186713 in Books
• Published on: 1997-07-01
• Original language: English, Japanese
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 296 pages

Customer Reviews

Following on from the previous volume providing the essentials and solid foundation.
JFBPIII is an extension of the previous volume providing more grammar rules and vocabulary following on from the previous edition thus maintaining a smooth learning curve. Explanations and transcripts are all given in English making this accessible for self learners.

Each chapter gets to the point with the target grammar and vocabulary clearly explained without overwhelming the learner with too much information.

However the book describes itself as the most effective and quickest way to speaking fluent Japanese. In a sense if you want to be able to communicate in Japanese as fast as possible this book will get you through the essentials. I myself found myself able to communicate to a certain degree with Japanese natives through the use of this book.

However, many other grammar points are either skimmed over or missed out. If you want to discuss more hypothetical situations such as life and politics this book lacks enough grammar to do so. "The Japan Times An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese" provides more thorough explanations, articles, dialogues and grammar points which are lacking in JFBPIII. However for anyone who had just completed JFBPII, the learning curve for "An Integrated Approach to Intermediate Japanese" would be too steep.

A 3 CD set with recordings of the grammar and dialogues is also available. Studying this course with the CD's gives you the opportunity to improve your listening skills and compare your speaking skills. The CD's in my opinion are essential to making the best of this course. Brand new they are quite expensive at around £45 however they should be available for around £25-30 second hand.

Overall Japanese for Busy People III does provide an essential solid foundation which I highly recommend especially if you have completed JFBPII. However once you have drilled yourself through the series it is highly advisable to seek another grammar book which can provide more depth on some of the grammar points.

Need other items from the full series?
Volume 1
Text: ISBN 4770018827
Text / Kana version: ISBN 4770018974
Cassette Tapes: ISBN 4770018835
Compact discs: ISBN 4770019092
Workbook: ISBN 4770019076
Workbook Cassette Tapes: ISBN 4770017693
Japanese Teacher's Manual: ISBN 4770019068
English Teacher's Manual: ISBN 4770018886

Volume 2
Text: ISBN 4770018843
Text / Kana version: ISBN 4770020511
Cassette Tapes: ISBN 4770021364
Compact discs: ISBN 4770020376
Workbook Cassette Tapes: ISBN 4770021119
Japanese Teacher's Manual: ISBN 4770020368

Volume 3
Text: ISBN 477001886X
Text / Kana version: ISBN 477002052X
Compact discs: ISBN 4770021372
Workbook: ISBN 4770023316
Workbook Cassette Tapes: ISBN 4770023588
Japanese Teacher's Manual: ISBN 4770023065

last book in a very effective series
If you have worked through the previous two books then you know what to expect already: you will learn practical grammar and vocabulary without drama; you will not be overwhelmed by vocabulary and grammar because everything is taught very gradually. It is a book/series perfect for people who can't spend 2 hours studying.

This book explains 120 new Kanji, in addition to a large number of mixed Kanji-Hiragana words.
The exercises are in the exact same style as in the previous books, and the chapters are kept quite short as well: you should be able to work through one in 30 minutes.

Like the previous books there is a certain focus on business vocabulary, or "professional" Japanese generally speaking.

I would not label this book as advanced but somewhere in the intermediate zone.
A good text-book to continue with after this one is:Introduction to Intermediate Japanese: An Integrated Course. Alternatively, reading books such as: Breaking into Japanese Literature: Seven Modern Classics in Parallel Text, Read Real Japanese Essays: Contemporary Writings by Popular Authors, and Reading Japanese with a Smile: Nine Stories from a Japanese Weekly Magazine for Intermediate Learners. If you are a professional (i.e. work for a living) then this is a good book to use afterwards: Japanese for Professionals.