Self-Study Languages
N3 Resources
Watch my recap YouTube video!
Main Resource
TOBIRA: Gateway to Advanced Japanese
The main textbook I used while I was around N3 level and which really got me through it. It covers everything you need to know to get you to intermediate level (not advanced like the title suggests, be careful there): grammar, vocab, reading comprehension and even listening comprehension. It was the best companion I could have hoped for and was very grateful to have found it at that stage of my study journey!
I was so enthusiastic about this textbook that I made an entire video about it! Give it a watch if you're interested :)
Grammar
Bunpo app
Simply the best app out there designed to help you learn and revise japanese grammar. While it does not claim to be comprehensive, going through the materials can greatly ease your way into a new level through its grammar points.
日本語の森 YouTube channel - Grammar lessons
The video lessons I watched on their channel back in 2019 were quite old and since then they have remastered them, but nonetheless, these videos were absolutely great and they helped me immensely. They were also great listening practice since the lessons are taught entirely in japanese.
TRY! 日本語能力試験 N3 文法から伸ばす日本語Grammar textbook/exercise book containing all the grammar points required to be known for the JLPT N3, with explanations in english and exercises to master N3 grammar before you move on to preparation books for the exam.
Nihongo 500問 N3 - Grammar section
Practice book for intermediate level N3 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).
It contains practice questions in kanji, vocabulary and grammar, with an explanation of the correct answers.
Kanji
Kanji Tree app
The only app I ever used to practice my japanese characters - especially the recognition and reading games.
So-Matome N3 Kanji
Kanji textbook by the famous So-Matome series. It did help me cover all the kanji required for the level N3 of the JLPT, so I would recommend. Layout is also quite engaging.
I have filmed a whole flipthrough of the notebook in which I took my kanji notes while covering this textbook - the video is available on my channel! Give it a watch if you're interested :)
TOBIRA: Power Up Your KANJI -800 Basic KANJI as a Gateway to Advanced Japanese
Kanji textbook specifically designed to cover the 800 kanji that show up in the general Tobira: Gateway to Advanced Japanese. I liked its layout and got through it at a rather slow pace (about 6 months). The kanji were mostly N3 level, but some were level N4 and N2 levels as well.
Wanikani Website
The primary purpose of this website is to help learners memorise japanese kanji, in all their elements: recognition, reading and writing. The whole method is based on SRS, the Spaced Repetition System. Personally, I have only used it for a short while, because it did not really fit my study method. Nevertheless, since I did use it, it made it to this list.
Vocabulary
JapaneseClass.jp website
A website with loads of vocabulary exercises to help you practice while having fun. I used to do these vocab games every morning while taking my breakfast, for 6 months straight!
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N3単語 2000
Vocab book containing the 2000 vocabulary words required to be known for the N3 level of the JLPT. Though I wouldn't recommend it as your only resource to study N3 vocab, it is useful to use as reference.
Nihongo 500問 N3 - Vocab section
Practice book for intermediate level N3 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT).
It contains practice questions in kanji, vocabulary and grammar, with an explanation of the correct answers.
日本語の森 YouTube channel - Vocab lessons
The video lessons I watched on their channel back in 2019 and 2020 were quite old and since then they have remastered them, but nonetheless, these videos were absolutely great and they helped me immensely. They were also great listening practice since the lessons are taught entirely in japanese.
So-Matome N3 Vocab 日本語総まとめ N3語彙
Vocabulary textbook by the famous So-Matome series. It did help me notice some common vocab words I didn't know yet, however the method did not work well on me to help me REALLY acquire the vocab. Still, a good resource to get into N3 vocab!
Reading
So-Matome N3 Reading 日本語総まとめ N3読解
Reading comprehension textbook by the famous So-Matome series. I LOVED this textbook, it REALLY prepared me for the reading section of the N3 exam! I recommend it 1000% :)
Nihongo Day by Day Blog
A blog I used to read every single week. It is held by the japanese tutor Minako Okamoto, and she does a GREAT job at explaining grammar, expressions and words in simple japanese! It greatly helped with my reading comprehension.
Listening
Let's Learn Japanese From Small Talk!
small talk in japanese
The main podcast I listened to to ease my way into proper listening practice in japanese. It is with this podcast that I used to do my famous transcription exercises (blog post coming soon) which skyrocketed my listening skills. Bless these girls for creating such a great podcast for japanese learners!
Hapa英会話Podcast
My secondary source of listening immersion at N3 level. This podcast is actually designed for japanese speakers learning english, but is a great resource for english speakers learning japanese as well - especially regarding vocab. Also, Jun-sensei speaks in such a clear and distinct manner that it REALLY helps with comprehension!
Others
Todai - Easy Japanese
The primary purpose of this app is to help learners read the news in japanese, but I solely used it to test myself on whether I had reached the different levels of the JLPT, thanks to their catalog of mock tests.
Yomiwa Dictionary App
In my opinion the best dictionary app.
I have used it since day 1 of my studying. Cannot recommend enough.
Quizlet
I usually hate flashcards, however I enjoyed using Quizlet at N3 stage of my learning. I mostly used it to memorise the vocab I encountered in the Tobira textbook, and once I got comfortable with that vocab, pretty much stopped using Quizlet. But I recommend!