learning japanese

[Keri_Lee]

Hiii,

I am thinking of taking up conversational class in JCS..

anyone attend their conversational class before? How was the class like?

thanks

 

[KolaX77]

Hi , would really like to try taking up Japanese Language again , had tried JCS and Hougang Japanese School over a period of few years for beginner courses at both , but due to laziness , and also work , my foundation was not good at all. At JCS , the class was very big last time when i took about 40 ? and the sensei was new to SG and her english was not very good and sometimes cannot even explain to the class certain meaning. HJS was better but it focus on romanji a lot during my E 1 & 2 course when i tried to do I1 , the sensei was not very helpful and he was like usually just read from books and when i did make up lesson with another female sensei , her class was a total different thing, all her students ( followed her thru from E1 ) all very good in Kanji ( and i was also ask to answer in Kanji which am super bad )

Like to check ,
1) if i am not a fast learner
2) prefer sensei who can teach in japanese but at least explain to use in english to make us understand the meaning of certain doubt
3) hope to build a good foundation
4) prefer if can , not only do JLPT but also able to converse at least some japanese when travel to Japan
5) Standard of teaching is about the same between different teachers within the same school

Which will be a good school recommendation for me to try ?
Am kinda of deciding between Bunka or Ikoma ( after reading online on people suggestion , mostly mentioned ) I will start from beginner again as i already forgot almost everything except basic Hiragana.

Thank you . どうもありがとうございます.

 

[avalanste]

HJS was better but it focus on romanji a lot during my E 1 & 2 course when i tried to do I1 , the sensei was not very helpful and he was like usually just read from books....

You might end up writing like that.

Try to stay away from romaji if you can.
For me it was Ikoma, since I had the basics of hiragana and katakana, it was easier for me to move forward.

But ultimately it is you yourself, if you have the determination and perseverance, any school you go to you'll still succeed.

 

[unfinished07]

if you really wanna be good, better not learn using romaji, and teacher shouldn't explain in English as little as possible.

 

[Ah_keong]

You might end up writing like that.

Try to stay away from romaji if you can.
For me it was Ikoma, since I had the basics of hiragana and katakana, it was easier for me to move forward.

But ultimately it is you yourself, if you have the determination and perseverance, any school you go to you'll still succeed.

Agree to a large extent. Drill the hiragana and katakana into the skull from day 1. You will thank the gurus here later.

 

[koxinga]

JLPT is just a certification, the learning journey is never ending.

I realize this when I was at an interview in the state court for an interpreter position, my conversation skills are simply not there yet(daily conversations are good, business level is still ok). But they'd require someone who is able to do on the spot translations on law terminology, criminal cases study (e.g. medical terms, vocabulary used on forensics, murder, molestation, assault e.t.c.) understanding jurisdiction for Japanese who are convicted e.t.c.

I believe only someone local who has graduated from a law school in Japan would be able to take up the challenge..nonetheless, the interviewers were really kind, and they told me not to give up on learning Japanese, they will always welcome me for the interview anytime whenever I'm ready.

It was quite an experience though.

Just curious, for them to interview you on this, it would imply that they themselves are fluent in those jargons. Is that correct?

 

[avalanste]

Just curious, for them to interview you on this, it would imply that they themselves are fluent in those jargons. Is that correct?

To a large extent, yes.

In my interview:
They have an interpreter (in that language you want to be specialized in) to sit in together with them.
On the panel, you have a HR admin/manager, a director and a senior manager/legal counsel with that interpreter.

Except for the HR, the rest have either been called to the bar, or highly experienced in dealing with legal court matters.
But they are very nice people.

 

[dimitri_can]

Like to invite anyone interested in learning more Japanese/Japanese-related stuff to join this group. =)

http://www.facebook.com/groups/763743003647850/

 

[unfinished07]

Can i join? i just requested

 

[dimitri_can]

added.... =)

 

[koxinga]

I took E1/E2 at Hougang Language School but somehow, once a week is always tough and always forget. When is the next N5 exam anyway?

How does one learn or switch to plain form when we use in normal conversation? I mean in the course of studying.

 

[jeremiahtong]

I took E1/E2 at Hougang Language School but somehow, once a week is always tough and always forget. When is the next N5 exam anyway?

How does one learn or switch to plain form when we use in normal conversation? I mean in the course of studying.

JLPT is held annually on the first Sunday in July and December in Singapore.

 

[jeremiahtong]

Hi , would really like to try taking up Japanese Language again , had tried JCS and Hougang Japanese School over a period of few years for beginner courses at both , but due to laziness , and also work , my foundation was not good at all. At JCS , the class was very big last time when i took about 40 ? and the sensei was new to SG and her english was not very good and sometimes cannot even explain to the class certain meaning. HJS was better but it focus on romanji a lot during my E 1 & 2 course when i tried to do I1 , the sensei was not very helpful and he was like usually just read from books and when i did make up lesson with another female sensei , her class was a total different thing, all her students ( followed her thru from E1 ) all very good in Kanji ( and i was also ask to answer in Kanji which am super bad )

Like to check ,
1) if i am not a fast learner
2) prefer sensei who can teach in japanese but at least explain to use in english to make us understand the meaning of certain doubt
3) hope to build a good foundation
4) prefer if can , not only do JLPT but also able to converse at least some japanese when travel to Japan
5) Standard of teaching is about the same between different teachers within the same school

Which will be a good school recommendation for me to try ?
Am kinda of deciding between Bunka or Ikoma ( after reading online on people suggestion , mostly mentioned ) I will start from beginner again as i already forgot almost everything except basic Hiragana.

Thank you . どうもありがとうございます.

1) It does not matter whether you are a fast learner or not. Just make sure you put in the effort to do your homework and review your work before the next class. It will help in your progress.

2) A good Japanese teacher should speak neither English nor Mandarin in class even though she or he can understand and speak English or/and Mandarin. The exception is of course, for Katakana words e.g. バナナ.

4) There are JLPT prep classes to cater to those who want to take JLPT. Do note that these are intensive revision classes. You can also choose to do it on your own. As for speaking, you should be able to speak simple sentences after studying textbooks like Minna No Nihongo as the scenarios in the textbooks are based on the context of what foreigners like us, would be likely to encounter in Japan. It is important to note that communication is getting your message across to the other party so you do not have to use advanced vocab or/and grammar in your sentences. Just use whatever you have learned in class to form your sentences.

5) Different teachers have different teaching styles. Was your I1 teacher a native Japanese?

 

[avalanste]

How does one learn or switch to plain form when we use in normal conversation? I mean in the course of studying.

Depending on the level of seniority and closeness between you and the person you converse to, usage of polite form and casual style varies.

You will learn this when you are moving along intermediate level of Minna no Nihongo. You should try to master the polite form (or better still, basic keigo) as much as you can first.

These forms e.g. Imperative/Causative/Volitional/Plain e.t.c. will be introduced as you move along.

I'd use as much polite form as I can when I converse, e.g. "-masu", "desu", it's the safest when I converse with any Japanese.

 

[true form]

Hi all
I think this qn has already been asked but answered quite vaguely so decided to ask again..
For those who studied/ is studying at Hougang Jap Sch, how do you think it is? I'm intending to join the one at Alexandra but.. Read at some other forums that the lesson structure isn't very well planned but that was a few years back. Was thinking if there were any changes. Do feedback! TIA.

I think we same scenario

I also live near queensway but go down Hougang a bit far. like 45mins x2 at least.

no info or review about alexandra? dimitri_can?

I want to sign up a class for January, seems like some quite full like Ikoma. for me location and reasonably good teacher can liao. prefer 1 or 2 days per week class. just enquired all bunko/ikoma/jcs/hougang schools already, waiting for replies.

hope can find a class and start soon.



btw, anyone got experience if miss class how to make up? for e.g. got holiday planned. then miss 2 weekends class or something.

 

[dimitri_can]

I think we same scenario

I also live near queensway but go down Hougang a bit far. like 45mins x2 at least.

no info or review about alexandra? dimitri_can?

btw, anyone got experience if miss class how to make up? for e.g. got holiday planned. then miss 2 weekends class or something.

i havent studied at alexandra branch before so cant comment. heard the sensei quite ok.

i might start a new class on Thurs night in Feb, if u all interested can visit my webbie. lol
classes are held in town/Novena

http://dimitri2012.wordpress.com

 

[unfinished07]

anyone has recommendations to watch japanese live tv channels in Singapore?
I'm looking for those with subscription and good quality, not those free types

 

[dimitri_can]

can try benten-asia.

price went up quite a bit.

bout 100 plus a mth

 

[unfinished07]

can try benten-asia.

price went up quite a bit.

bout 100 plus a mth

u have any link for this? i tried to search but nothing related comes up

 

[dimitri_can]

http://ben-ten.asia

u need to email the guy.