What to do after the 凡人社 "Basic" and "Intermediate" books?

[SekZ]

Let me start by saying that this is my first post on FG but, despite being a new poster, I've been a lurker on this site for a little over a year and a half (about the same time-span that I've been studying Japanese).

I read a post a few months back recommending the "Basic Kanji" books by 凡人社. I ordered the first two books and will soon complete the last exercises in them. The first of the "Intermediate" books is on the way.

I've heard the "Intermediate" books cause a lot of "AHA!" moments, and I'm sure I'll spend quite a bit of time on them, but what do you do once you pass all that?

Is there anyone here who has finished these books thoroughly? What level of comprehension did you find yourself at after book 4? It's depressing to think that after all this effort I will have merely achieved a literacy level equivalent to standard elementary school child, but I suppose that is the nature of the beast. What will be the next steps on the road to fluency in the written language?

[hundefar]

Read some books and magazines.

[SekZ]

That's an excellent way to reinforce what you've learned, but is it really effective for acquiring new kanji? And isn't reading merely a form of passive learning (as opposed to actively writing new characters)?

Although reading is certainly a GREAT thing to do, I don't think it's going to improve my ability to write kanji very much. I'm looking for more of a text book suggestion. Sorry I wasn't specific enough with my OP. Thanks for your input.

[CrankyBastard]

It's depressing to think that after all this effort I will have merely achieved a literacy level equivalent to standard elementary school child


I spent years studying Japanese correspondence courses for Japanese elementary, JHS and SHS up to university juken level including rudimentary 'koten' (古典).
In my experience, unless you have the need to R.S.V.P. to a garden tea party invitation at the palace, you might as well stop at the standard elementary school level.
:cool:

[Ketou]

Read some books and magazines.

This.
If you aren't forced to learn it at work then book etc are a good way to go.
You can get plenty of novels aimed at younger kids which starts off with furigana on the first use of a kanji but not after that.

[Mock Cockpit]

Dangerous Jiisan!

[SekZ]

I spent years studying Japanese correspondence courses for Japanese elementary, JHS and SHS up to university juken level including rudimentary 'koten' (古典).
In my experience, unless you have the need to R.S.V.P. to a garden tea party invitation at the palace, you might as well stop at the standard elementary school level.
:cool:


I see... Well, my particular set of circumstances will require me to pass the JLPT 1 by 2011. Even if for no other reason, I will need to go beyond the standard elementary school level for this.