みんなの日本語 / Minna no Nihongo (Beginner I, II; Intermediate I, II Complete Collection)

"Textbooks that bring the distinctive features of Shin Nihongo no Kiso, the book with the easy-to-learn and easy-to-teach reputation, to a wider body of learners. Making the most of Kiso's teaching method -- short-term intensive study, easy-to-understand leanguage presentation cast of characters in practical conversational settings, etc. These books quarantee that the learner is able to make conversation in everyday life in the shortest time possible. While these books are not meant as a study aid for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, upon completion of book one the student is roughly at the N5 level of the Test, and upon completion of book two, the N4 level."--Info. from the 3A Corp. website (viewed 21 July 2011)