(2016-04-07, 3:27 pm)FlameseeK Wrote: My primary goal is to be able to watch anime and read visual novels comfortably (and playing games to a certain extent). I'd also like to be able to read about these things - news, articles, reviews, etc.

Quote:According to Krashen there are two independent systems of second language performance: 'the acquired system' and 'the learned system'. The 'acquired system' or 'acquisition' is the product of a subconscious process very similar to the process children undergo when they acquire their first language. It requires meaningful interaction in the target language - natural communication - in which speakers are concentrated not in the form of their utterances, but in the communicative act.

The 'learned system' or 'learning' is the product of formal instruction and it comprises a conscious process which results in conscious knowledge 'about' the language, for example knowledge of grammar rules. According to Krashen 'learning' is less important than 'acquisition'.

Quote: Tl;dr: Like I said before, I'm not looking for exercises. I just want to know which book would most help me understand the nuance of these grammar points while providing a handful of solid examples (sentences) for contrast.

(2016-04-09, 3:18 am)risu_ Wrote: Sorry, but I really can't see SRS as a viable option for input at all. If it works for you, that's good, but I find SRSing sentences, from textbooks no less, extremely counterintuitive. In my opinion you should really just read some real native material. If a VN is too long, you can read news articles or editorials instead since you listed them in your goals in the first post.

Quote: Tl;dr: Like I said before, I'm not looking for exercises. I just want to know which book would most help me understand the nuance of these grammar points while providing a handful of solid examples (sentences) for contrast.

Sou Matome and SKM should be right up your alley then. Both include several example sentences and give clear examples of how to differentiate between similar grammar structures. I personally recommend SKM but it doesn't have english translations if that's your kind of thing.

Alternatively since you don't want exercises there's this website. The downside is that it doesn't compare nuances among grammar structures or go as in depth as either of the abovementioned book sets. They are JLPT prep books, after all.

I can't stress this enough but you should really start getting some real input instead of SRSing sentences from textbooks. Firstly you're going to keep seeing the same sentences over and over again which doesn't help you. Secondly when you read native material your brain practises comprehending the same grammar structures in different contexts (sentences) which will solidify your understanding more than doing so with the same few example sentences. Lastly reading native material gives far more satisfaction from language learning than textbook example sentences.

Also, I'm not sure if I'm reading this right. Are you playing DS3 in Japanese?

(2016-04-09, 8:34 am)risu_ Wrote: I do Anki for vocabulary and read 1-3 hours a day.

(2016-04-09, 3:18 am)risu_ Wrote: Sorry, but I really can't see SRS as a viable option for input at all. If it works for you, that's good, but I find SRSing sentences, from textbooks no less, extremely counterintuitive. In my opinion you should really just read some real native material. If a VN is too long, you can read news articles or editorials instead since you listed them in your goals in the first post.

Quote: Tl;dr: Like I said before, I'm not looking for exercises. I just want to know which book would most help me understand the nuance of these grammar points while providing a handful of solid examples (sentences) for contrast.

Sou Matome and SKM should be right up your alley then. Both include several example sentences and give clear examples of how to differentiate between similar grammar structures. I personally recommend SKM but it doesn't have english translations if that's your kind of thing.

Alternatively since you don't want exercises there's this website. The downside is that it doesn't compare nuances among grammar structures or go as in depth as either of the abovementioned book sets. They are JLPT prep books, after all.

I can't stress this enough but you should really start getting some real input instead of SRSing sentences from textbooks. Firstly you're going to keep seeing the same sentences over and over again which doesn't help you. Secondly when you read native material your brain practises comprehending the same grammar structures in different contexts (sentences) which will solidify your understanding more than doing so with the same few example sentences. Lastly reading native material gives far more satisfaction from language learning than textbook example sentences.

Also, I'm not sure if I'm reading this right. Are you playing DS3 in Japanese?

(2016-04-09, 1:58 pm)FlameseeK Wrote: English translations might be helpful, but it all depends on how clear the contrast and nuance is without the translation. But why do you think　新完全マスター　is better? Is the contrast between the examples clearer or is it something else?

(2016-04-09, 2:56 pm)FlameseeK Wrote: I see. I've just read that 総まとめ feels like an easier transition to N2, but not quite as comprehensive. In the review I read, the person said the book expects you to answer some stuff properly by trial and error, rather than giving you proper examples to prepare you to deal with that situation. To me, it sounds like the book doesn't have quite have as much variety and contrast in the examples as it should. The fact that it expects you to realize certain things as you do the exercises may be a problem, because I won't be doing any of them.

On the other hand, I wonder if 新完全マスター would be able to convey the nuance of certain things as clearly as DoIJG. It may be a good prep book, but there's a difference between helping you understand the meaning/nuances of a grammar point and teaching you how to take a specific test.