learning japanese

[terraj]

Nope, the normal path is about 3 years. It's about 1 year for level 3 and 4 (depending your ability) and another 2 years for level 2 if you go the normal pace. If you push yourself you can complete level 2 within 2 years (i.e. study for JLPT 2 at preadvanced level, which is what I did). I've friends who did level 1 in 2.5 years by attending JLPT prep classes.

 

[dimitri_can]

Nope, the normal path is about 3 years. It's about 1 year for level 3 and 4 (depending your ability) and another 2 years for level 2 if you go the normal pace. If you push yourself you can complete level 2 within 2 years (i.e. study for JLPT 2 at preadvanced level, which is what I did). I've friends who did level 1 in 2.5 years by attending JLPT prep classes.

He's just asking bout the pre-advanced and advanced... not including the JLPT 3 and 4.

I was told that at Ikoma following the normal path of taking pre-advanced and then the advanced courses would take 3 years to reach JLPT 2 level.

 

[PingJun]

Hi, Everyone.

Today I have just gone for JLPT 3 mock test [using Yr 2002 paper].

Through this mock test, I have found out that:

1. My listening is totally gone case.

2. For Hiragana to Kanji and vice versa, I have no problem. For Particles, I also don't have much problems except for a few questions.

3. For Vocabulary + Grammar, I can roughly understand what the questions ask, but I don't understand the meaning of the words to be chosen for answers.....

In less than 5 or 6 weeks left for actual exam, is there anyway where I can improve?

P.S. I have already prepare for the worst, ie, to fail this year's exam. I have also prepared to take JLPT 3 again next year if I really failed this year.

However, I do not wish to be defeated without trying anything at all.

 

[ahmahippo]

anyone from hougang jap schoo.? Am taking their beginner 1 and lets said if they dont have beginner 2 course at their brunch side, if need to jump to other school, Ikoma or Bunka better? and do I need to start all over again?

 

[PingJun]

Going to try give my take on this after reading Dimitri's informative link. I don't completely like the article because I think it overcomplicates things by referencing too many English conjunctions, which makes things nasty for native English speakers who don't think of these things on a daily basis.

Please don't kill me if I'm wrong.

I think both Fox1 and Dimitri's answers are correct, depending on the situation.

Scenario 1:
The sentence is supposed to be declarative, such as, "That's the hotel!" Perhaps the situation was they were walking around, with the goal of finding the hotel they were supposed to stay in, and suddenly one party spotted it.
The が in the sentence is probably the 'pure' subject が. It's not an "emphasis". i.e. Fox1's explanation is correct.

Scenario 2:
If the sentence is to (usually) answer a question, then the が is what Dimitri describes as an emphasis. I try to refrain from using the word "emphasis" for 強調 situations in Japanese because it has slightly different connotations in English (perhaps "stress" would be a better word). In English, emphatic terms would be "do", "must", "really". English I believe does not have a subject marker like Japanese so there is no equivalent for it.

Regarding the hotel case, from what I have watched from the show [I may be wrong too], it seems like the one who said あれがホテルです is the one who brings his friend to the hotel. His friend doesn't know where the hotel is.....

 

[dimitri_can]

My replies in blue.

Hi, Everyone.

Today I have just gone for JLPT 3 mock test [using Yr 2002 paper].

Through this mock test, I have found out that:

1. My listening is totally gone case.

-Do more listening. Contact me if you need a book on listening for JLPT 3.

2. For Hiragana to Kanji and vice versa, I have no problem. For Particles, I also don't have much problems except for a few questions.

3. For Vocabulary + Grammar, I can roughly understand what the questions ask, but I don't understand the meaning of the words to be chosen for answers.....

-Join us for study. I'll email u the place.

In less than 5 or 6 weeks left for actual exam, is there anyway where I can improve?

-Can. I'll give you some notes. Will pm you.

P.S. I have already prepare for the worst, ie, to fail this year's exam. I have also prepared to take JLPT 3 again next year if I really failed this year.

However, I do not wish to be defeated without trying anything at all.

 

[ahmahippo]

funny... why no one answer me.

 

[dimitri_can]

Stick to Hougang. =)

 

[terraj]

Sorry I read that wrongly. In that case it's about 1.5-2 years I guess. Many people don't complete the advanced courses before they try JLPT 2. Most people I believe, either skip the advanced courses and go straight into JLPT2 prep, or do both prep and later-preadvanced/early-advanced couse concurrently. Of course this is all dependent on timing since JLPT has only been held 1x a year in the past.

He's just asking bout the pre-advanced and advanced... not including the JLPT 3 and 4.

I was told that at Ikoma following the normal path of taking pre-advanced and then the advanced courses would take 3 years to reach JLPT 2 level.

 

[dimitri_can]

Sorry I read that wrongly. In that case it's about 1.5-2 years I guess. Many people don't complete the advanced courses before they try JLPT 2. Most people I believe, either skip the advanced courses and go straight into JLPT2 prep, or do both prep and later-preadvanced/early-advanced couse concurrently. Of course this is all dependent on timing since JLPT has only been held 1x a year in the past.

Latest info:

JLPT will remain once per year.

 

[kjaskk]

I wrote to ikoma and that is what they told me.

Can also refer to their website:

http://ikoma.com.sg/jcourse/course.htm

pre-advanced 1 and 2 48 weeks (assume once a week)
Advanced 1 and 2 take 48 weeks
Advanced 3 and 4 take 48 weeks

so about 3 years in all.

I felt it is a bit long. But is the training useful and worth putting in our effort.

JLPT 2 preparation is 11 months. Must be very tough and pace is very fast.

Please share your views if you have been through the normal course of about 3 yrs.

Thank you very much for your sharing.

 

[dimitri_can]

Take note that the prep class does not have conversation.

 

[Ah_keong]

EH! *heads snaps up the moment "save money" is mentioned* What do you mean by save money? isn't JCS cheaper all the while? Anyway I'm in Bunka now, and although I think the grammar there is great (plus the lil tidbits of info), I may want to switch schools....It's not very exam orientated (after finishing intermediate, we haven't learnt 20% of the required grammar).

Just asking, for those who took/are taking JLPT 3 standard courses in JCS and Ikoma, do the teachers explain well for the vocab?
For eg in shieki,

minna wo warawaseru -----> make everyone laugh
minna ni warawaseru ------> let everyone laugh (give permission)

yah, but for JLPT 2 and above, i think IKOMA still offer the best based on their stats of passing rate....

JCS is cheap but the class size is big (lots of gals 2 see and chat in jap for me which i like) but become harful when u approach JLPT 2 stage which may require closer teacher supervision and time... so I recommend IKOMA...

IKOMA notes is very good and detail, and even have chinese explanation for it (I am taking basic 1-1 class there now)
while JCS notes is kind of ok (I completed Intensive Elementary and planning 2 apply intermediate in Jan)

IKOMA has a smaller class which i believe translate to a better learning environment especially when going for JLPT 2 level and above...

so in conclusion... in order to save cost i would recommend JCS till JLPT 3 level = Intermediate then switch to IKOMA to begin ur march to JLPT 2 DEGREE!!!

 

[ahmahippo]

These 4 books from Minna no Nihongo

1-1 (Red)
1-2 (Blue)
2-1 (Green)
2-2 (Yellow)

1-1 and 1-2 for JLPT 4, 1-1,1-2,2-1,2-2 for JLPT 3

Hi dimitri_can,

wonder if sg still got sell Minna no Nihongo?
I tried to search but found tat they are from other country...

 

[dimitri_can]

got... uses bout the same book as what hougang using.... kino sells it

 

[ransackyourtoilet]

ahhhh.....should i take ikoma's lessons or continue on with bunka....*dilenma*

oh btw this
minna wo warawaseru -----> make everyone laugh
minna ni warawaseru ------> let everyone laugh (give permission)
was an extra information given by my sensei....hais dunno la.

pingjun>> Hey me taking jlpt3 too! Although I haven't tried the past year papers yet, (still finishing up my many assessment books) I know my listening is mada dame. My strategy is to work hard to memorise everything for Vocab, Grammar and Reading and score full marks for these sections to get300/400 which is a 75%! Safe from the 60% passing mark. So dun have to worry about Listening. Then if there's spare time do listening practices.

ahmahippo>> Kino do sell Minna no Nihongo. You may want to try the Taiwanese bookstore which sells the Taiwanese version (May be cheaper for certain things). I saw Minna no Nihongo 1 and 2's workbook condensed into one book which sold for 8bucks plus 15% discount. I bought the Japanese one for 40 bucks, *curses* But I dun think they have much MnN left so you can opt for Nihongo no Kiso instead. Its tucked at a corner in Bras Basah. Just take the escalator to the third floor and proceed to the corner on your right.

 

[fox1]

ahhhh.....should i take ikoma's lessons or continue on with
pingjun>> Hey me taking jlpt3 too! Although I haven't tried the past year papers yet, (still finishing up my many assessment books) I know my listening is mada dame. My strategy is to work hard to memorise everything for Vocab, Grammar and Reading and score full marks for these sections to get300/400 which is a 75%! Safe from the 60% passing mark. So dun have to worry about Listening. Then if there's spare time do listening practices.
.

The way you put it, seems like your purpose for learning Japanese is to pass JLPT only.
Maybe you can try watching more Jdramas and listening to more Jsongs. Having a dictionary handy helps a lot.

 

[terraj]

I think that it's best not to think so much about exams and just enjoy the learning process. JLPT3 is pretty much useless anyway. The fun part comes when you're able to watch shows without subs or read novels (if you like reading)!

For me, I just love the sound of the language and to be able to 'hear' dialogue in novels is a very rich experience for me. I also love picking out cultural differences you find when you dissect the language; I suppose other people would have different interests.

I'm not saying that one shouldn't bother with JLPT though; the only reason why I'm able to read novels properly now is because I studied JLPT2 grammar, but passing JLPT shouldn't be the main focus (unless of course collecting certificates is your hobby in which case I have no case to argue against!) =)

EDIT: I might add that JLPT3 is actually very easy to score if you keep in touch with the language through anime etc. I don't think practice papers are the way to go.

 

[PingJun]

ahhhh.....should i take ikoma's lessons or continue on with bunka....*dilenma*

oh btw this
minna wo warawaseru -----> make everyone laugh
minna ni warawaseru ------> let everyone laugh (give permission)
was an extra information given by my sensei....hais dunno la.

pingjun>> Hey me taking jlpt3 too! Although I haven't tried the past year papers yet, (still finishing up my many assessment books) I know my listening is mada dame. My strategy is to work hard to memorise everything for Vocab, Grammar and Reading and score full marks for these sections to get300/400 which is a 75%! Safe from the 60% passing mark. So dun have to worry about Listening. Then if there's spare time do listening practices.

ahmahippo>> Kino do sell Minna no Nihongo. You may want to try the Taiwanese bookstore which sells the Taiwanese version (May be cheaper for certain things). I saw Minna no Nihongo 1 and 2's workbook condensed into one book which sold for 8bucks plus 15% discount. I bought the Japanese one for 40 bucks, *curses* But I dun think they have much MnN left so you can opt for Nihongo no Kiso instead. Its tucked at a corner in Bras Basah. Just take the escalator to the third floor and proceed to the corner on your right.

Hi. Thanks for your advice. However, for me, I rather want to have a solid foundation rather than just to pass JLPT exam... If really fail this time, it is ok for me.

 

[ahmahippo]

ahhhh.....should i take ikoma's lessons or continue on with bunka....*dilenma*

oh btw this
minna wo warawaseru -----> make everyone laugh
minna ni warawaseru ------> let everyone laugh (give permission)
was an extra information given by my sensei....hais dunno la.

pingjun>> Hey me taking jlpt3 too! Although I haven't tried the past year papers yet, (still finishing up my many assessment books) I know my listening is mada dame. My strategy is to work hard to memorise everything for Vocab, Grammar and Reading and score full marks for these sections to get300/400 which is a 75%! Safe from the 60% passing mark. So dun have to worry about Listening. Then if there's spare time do listening practices.

ahmahippo>> Kino do sell Minna no Nihongo. You may want to try the Taiwanese bookstore which sells the Taiwanese version (May be cheaper for certain things). I saw Minna no Nihongo 1 and 2's workbook condensed into one book which sold for 8bucks plus 15% discount. I bought the Japanese one for 40 bucks, *curses* But I dun think they have much MnN left so you can opt for Nihongo no Kiso instead. Its tucked at a corner in Bras Basah. Just take the escalator to the third floor and proceed to the corner on your right.

Hi, thanks for the info
wondering the taiwanese version mean the books in chinese and not in english? hehe... coz me chinese not so gd now as I didnt write for years. the jap schol i went to currently, they said they are using these books too but not sure if it is applys to the brunch side, coz the book they gave me is printed ones. I have seen it, it is easy to understand coz got english to go along with which is what i like. last time i study jap at singapore poly, i cant take it coz they started kanji. lol... seriously speaking, passing JLPT 4 is my aim but my real target is to get to know how to talk like some of the pro ppl in here.

they are gd in jap.