learning japanese

[netsuAi]

I'm quite interested in taking up the japanese language

where does the interest come from...?

 

[melovemanga]

Hmm.. I personally know of someone who started learning japanese in his NS days (clerk in jurong west camp.. haha..) Think his vocation allowed him more time than other NSFs to study, so even though I've never seen him study seriously, he got his JLPT3 within the first year (last year), and just passed JLPT2 this year. And he's going for JLPT1 next year and he has even more time to study now because he ORD-ed and is awaiting university entrance.

So JLPT1 in 3 years is actually quite possible.

Oh he doesn't even take classes, because as a poor NSF, he said it's too expensive. And since he's gotten to JLPT2 level by himself, he doesn't think there's a need to start taking classes now either. He just mainly watches lots and lots of anime and drama, finds some japanese friends to talk to, and reads up on one or two grammar books and does some past year papers.

Guess it depends on your individual style and language aptitude.. Do make full use of your NS time. Good luck!

That sounds a hell lot like me.But I'm younger...and pretty much a slacker nowadays.Haha.

 

[terraj]

You sure? The other party is a master of japanese linguistics, you might not get what's she saying...

Definitely. I've read some linguistic papers before and they are interesting. Besides if you said that the person explained it better it should be clearer rather than more confusing shouldn't it

 

[terraj]

The next intake would half a year later. As for the regular beginner they are only left with 6.10pm Tues Thurs. My plan was to complete beginner's intensive and intermediate intensive by this year and obtain JLPT 4 & 3 at Dec.

You could try Ikoma's semi-intensive beginner classes. Right after I graduated from uni a few years ago I went for their 5-day a week classes starting in mid July and took the JLPT 4 and 3s simultaneously at the end of the year so 2x a week should be sufficient if you start now.

 

[Niaoson]

You could try Ikoma's semi-intensive beginner classes. Right after I graduated from uni a few years ago I went for their 5-day a week classes starting in mid July and took the JLPT 4 and 3s simultaneously at the end of the year so 2x a week should be sufficient if you start now.

I don't think that's possible. IIRC, the test for all levels are conducted simultaneously at the same time so unless you split yourself into half, you can only sit for one level each year. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[terraj]

It was possible last time because of 2 sessions at different timings (2003 exams). I did JLPT 4 in the morning and JLPT 3 in the afternoon. My classmates all did the same thing. If anything I have the certs to prove it http://psyche.terrapolis.org/node/70

 

[Niaoson]

Is it still possible now then?

 

[terraj]

I believe it's not possible now. But if one's been studying 2x a week for a year I think level 3 is pretty easily achievable, especially since the passing mark is low. JLPT 2 should be achievable in 2-3 years if you put in a bit more work on your own other than weekly classes. I took the 2005 JLPT 2 exams studying on/off on my own besides my 1x a week classes. Some of my friends finished JLPT 2 in 1.5 years and JLPT 1 in 2.5 years. In the end it's all about how much effort you want to put into studying I guess.

 

[kitsura]

JLPT 1 in 3 yrs is possible. I even know of someone who completed it in 1 yr studying fulltime in Japan. But it really depends on the amount of effort you put in. And of course that JLPT 1 won't be true proficiency just exam proficiency.

 

[terraj]

JLPT 1 in 3 yrs is possible. I even know of someone who completed it in 1 yr studying fulltime in Japan. But it really depends on the amount of effort you put in. And of course that JLPT 1 won't be true proficiency just exam proficiency.

Totally agree. I passed JLPT2 pretty easily but that doesn't mean that I can converse naturally, lol. Unless you are a natural linguist there's no way you can be fluent just going to classes 1x a week unless you have Japanese friends who would speak to you in Japanese. Cultural immersion is the best.

 

[dimitri_can]

Anyways I went to JCS yesterday afternoon and I only had around 15mins to hang around until they closed for the day.(Xmas Eve) I got their brochure but they didn't say much about their curriculum. The staff over there weren't too friendly and on my part I also do not know what to ask except for the fees and the time schedule. I'm kind of disappointed that there's no more vacancies for Jan's Intensive course for Mon and Wed 7.20pm. The next intake would half a year later. As for the regular beginner they are only left with 6.10pm Tues Thurs. My plan was to complete beginner's intensive and intermediate intensive by this year and obtain JLPT 4 & 3 at Dec.

I am waiting for ur MSN alert? lol... =0

 

[dimitri_can]

kitsura: I think in Japan, it's different, cos the whole environment is speaking Japanese?

 

[unfinished07]

I think it varies for different ppl loh... For me, earning that cert, is not just earning that cert alone, is the ability to be able to explain the use of the grammer to fellow JLPT takers. 自分の意見だけ、But seriously speaking, given a JLPT 1/2 grammer, will you be able to explain the use, when to use it,differentiating b/w other similar ones?

I gave this question to my fellow members in my Japanese club, got different answers, but not many can give me the best answers,i think not even a Japanese teacher can give me a good answer, unless those senior ones..... 失礼します。

自動詞と他動詞は
１）どう違いますか
２）一番簡単な見分ける方法を教えてくれてお願いします

1級卒者の能力をみせてくれてお願いします。

hmm, i admit that i don't know how to explain to u the difference btw 自動詞と他動詞, and how to best explain well to others. for me, learning japanese is not to explain the grammar to fellow JLPT takers on the grammar etc. for me, its to more of listening, understanding and speaking the language fluently that's more impt.

moreover, even if u pose this question to japanese, i guess there are many ppl who can't explain well the differences, or the very grammatically correct stuff. its like when japanese ask me to explain to them about english or japanese, i don't know how to explain to them, but i have no problems in speaking english and japanese well.

if u have the chance to speak to japanese for some time, u would realise that what they speak, and what we learn in schools are very different. there are dialects, 流行ってる言葉, or slangs, and many different kinds of speaking. even japanese makes mistakes when writing or speaking japanese often, if u reallly have the chance to take note of that. the same like us, we don't speak very standard chinese, and we don't speak standard english, like englishmen do, in fact we speak singlish alot, don't we?

i guess each person has their own targets and goal in learning a language. but for me, its more of understanding and the ability to pronouce well & speak/write fluently, rather than the more "technical" stuff

 

[melovemanga]

Yeah,it's definitely different.You have to think,speak and react like a Japanese over there,because not many people are able to converse in English.Those learning japanese in Japan certainly improve much faster than us.

And oh yeah,I know a few people who hold Jlpt 2 certs and can't even speak properly.My japanese friend living in Singapore now told me she's kind of irritated because they try too hard.So exam proficiency does not necessarily equate to true proficiency.

Oh btw terraj,amazing results for Jlpt 3 and 4.

 

[melovemanga]

hmm, i admit that i don't know how to explain to u the difference btw 自動詞と他動詞, and how to best explain well to others. for me, learning japanese is not to explain the grammar to fellow JLPT takers on the grammar etc. for me, its to more of listening, understanding and speaking the language fluently that's more impt.

moreover, even if u pose this question to japanese, i guess there are many ppl who can't explain well the differences, or the very grammatically correct stuff. its like when japanese ask me to explain to them about english or japanese, i don't know how to explain to them, but i have no problems in speaking english and japanese well.

if u have the chance to speak to japanese for some time, u would realise that what they speak, and what we learn in schools are very different. there are dialects, 流行ってる言葉, or slangs, and many different kinds of speaking. even japanese makes mistakes when writing or speaking japanese often, if u reallly have the chance to take note of that. the same like us, we don't speak very standard chinese, and we don't speak standard english, like englishmen do, in fact we speak singlish alot, don't we?

i guess each person has their own targets and goal in learning a language. but for me, its more of understanding and the ability to pronouce well & speak/write fluently, rather than the more "technical" stuff

I totally agree with you on this one.Who cares?It doesn't matter whether you can explain or not the differences.What's most important is that you understand the language and the people and be able to speak/write fluently.Do you think they'll teach words like どんだけ in school?I think not.Try searching in a dictionary,it will never come up.They don't follow by the book,just like us.

 

[dimitri_can]

hmm, i admit that i don't know how to explain to u the difference btw 自動詞と他動詞, and how to best explain well to others. for me, learning japanese is not to explain the grammar to fellow JLPT takers on the grammar etc. for me, its to more of listening, understanding and speaking the language fluently that's more impt.

moreover, even if u pose this question to japanese, i guess there are many ppl who can't explain well the differences, or the very grammatically correct stuff. its like when japanese ask me to explain to them about english or japanese, i don't know how to explain to them, but i have no problems in speaking english and japanese well.

if u have the chance to speak to japanese for some time, u would realise that what they speak, and what we learn in schools are very different. there are dialects, 流行ってる言葉, or slangs, and many different kinds of speaking. even japanese makes mistakes when writing or speaking japanese often, if u reallly have the chance to take note of that. the same like us, we don't speak very standard chinese, and we don't speak standard english, like englishmen do, in fact we speak singlish alot, don't we?

i guess each person has their own targets and goal in learning a language. but for me, its more of understanding and the ability to pronouce well & speak/write fluently, rather than the more "technical" stuff

Erm, i guess it depends on individual.. For me, i am more interested in knowing the language better, not just knowing how to speak. It helps me in a way to understand the culture better also. My ultimate aim is to get the certificate to teach Japanese officially. =)

一生懸命頑張ります

 

[terraj]

Is he/she the drag queen in your avatar?