learning japanese

[heguhegu]

those who are taking JLPT, it's only 2 days away! how are your preparations going?

 

[dimitri_can]

bad... Dislocated my both elbows...今、回復中です。

 

[Kirizame]

I was with JCS (Intermediate) from May to Nov this year. What others said about JCS is pretty true. Class size is big, about 30+ at the beginning of the year. As it progress to Term 2 and 3, guess the class size will strink to about 20+. But this also depends on which level you are registering in, Class size is big for Elementary & Intermediate. For Advanced and above, guess they have fewer classes and students.

Yes, they do focus more on grammar. So if you are a beginner in jap, JCS is quite a good choice to build up your grammar foundation. Conversation is really limited. Hardly get to speak unless teacher asked the whole class to read/repeat the example grammar sentences. Another chance is when you teacher asked you to make sentences and she asked you for answers. I only studied in Yonekura Sensei's class and I can say that I like her teaching method very much.

Which is why for next year, I'm joining Ikoma (hoping will get more speaking opportunities) and at the same time, I'll remain in JCS to further strength myself on advanced grammar.

Hope this helps.

I too was a former student of JCS a few years ago. Completed Advanced I and left after that.

I agree that JCS focus more on grammar and conversation is rather limited except for the above circumstances.

P.S: I was taught by a female teacher by the name of Yonekura too. Wonder if it's the same teacher.

 

[Kirizame]

My japanese conversation skills are really bad as JCS is more about the written aspect of the language.

I tried for a product translator job at a Japanese retail store a few years back but failed to get the job. There were lots of words that I didn't know how to read from a newspaper article given by the interviewer and there were questions which I didn't know how to answer properly in Japanese. I admit I was ill-prepared but I know I have to brush on learning to speak and use Japanese in real-life situations.

Need to first check up on local Japanese language schools which focus on teaching you how to communicate with Japanese people in real-life situations and to find local online forums that allow language exchange with native Japanese living in SG or Japan.

Anybody has good recommendations on the above needs based on your personal experiences or that of friends?

 

[morohh]

明日は。。死ぬ。




10char

 

[melovemanga]

For all those taking their JLPT papers tomorrow,all the best.

 

[dimitri_can]

You might want to take a look at something i sent to ur pm

 

[PingJun]

For those who have taken JLPT 4 test this morning, what do you think of the papers?

 

[morohh]

This year JLPT2 listening and grammar sections are crazy. Is it only me?

 

[PingJun]

This year JLPT2 listening and grammar sections are crazy. Is it only me?

For me, I don't understand the questions at all for JLPT 4.

Especially the listening part.

 

[heguhegu]

For me, I don't understand the questions at all for JLPT 4.

Especially the listening part.

woah is it really that hard?

i took level 3. the first part of listening is really tricky. stumped at some questions for grammar. vocab was ok.

 

[dimitri_can]

Hahaha... 語彙、文字は簡単です。。。聴解と文法はちょっと。。。

 

[etteneaj]

woah is it really that hard?

i took level 3. the first part of listening is really tricky. stumped at some questions for grammar. vocab was ok.

I took JLPT 3 too. Very, very disappointed. Thought I have prepared sufficiently but I feel compared to past few years' exam papers, this year is bit more "tricky" and tougher. Some questions were rather indirect. For sure I'll do badly in the listening. Mondai I was ok for me, but not Mondai II, most of the anwers I "tikam". To make things worse, they played cassette and not CD. What's more I could hear some "noise" coming from outside the classroom while the test was on-going . conversation was long and after following it halfway through, I "lost my way" and dunno what they all were talking. As for grammar, it was ok (tougher than I expected). I pondered pretty hard over several questions though.

Overall, still quite sad lah. Put in lots of effort and time to study really hard. But now, think I won't be pleased with the results. May consider re-taking it nxt year. *sigh*

 

[dimitri_can]

Funny thing is how come JLPT 2 become kinda ez? -__-"

Maybe cos i did prepare? even though i was prepared to fail?

 

[alvinaloy]

This year JLPT2 listening and grammar sections are crazy. Is it only me?

Yep. They're crazy! But well... I wasn't really prepared for it cos didn't have time to study...

But still, a real eye-opener. At least I know what to expect next year.

 

[morohh]

But now, think I won't be pleased with the results. May consider re-taking it nxt year. *sigh*

Not worth imo since result won't even be written in your cert. Just move on and prepare better for the next lvl next year. Thats what I plan to do

Yep. They're crazy! But well... I wasn't really prepared for it cos didn't have time to study...

But still, a real eye-opener. At least I know what to expect next year.

Same here, didnt study much since I started work. In fact I didnt go through the whole grammar list. Prolly why I think that part is hard lol. Gonna enrol for classes next yr I guess self study isnt fun

 

[heguhegu]

I took JLPT 3 too. Very, very disappointed. Thought I have prepared sufficiently but I feel compared to past few years' exam papers, this year is bit more "tricky" and tougher. Some questions were rather indirect. For sure I'll do badly in the listening. Mondai I was ok for me, but not Mondai II, most of the anwers I "tikam". To make things worse, they played cassette and not CD. What's more I could hear some "noise" coming from outside the classroom while the test was on-going . conversation was long and after following it halfway through, I "lost my way" and dunno what they all were talking. As for grammar, it was ok (tougher than I expected). I pondered pretty hard over several questions though.

Overall, still quite sad lah. Put in lots of effort and time to study really hard. But now, think I won't be pleased with the results. May consider re-taking it nxt year. *sigh*

actually i also have similar thoughts. was very disappointed after the listening section. also spent lots of time training my listening skills but seemed in vain.

if you can pass and get the cert, i suggest you move on instead of retaking. after all jlpt 3 is only a stepping stone to a more proficient and recognised jlpt 2. no point lingering at one level when the scores are only for personal satisfaction. just my opinion.

 

[heguhegu]

for those who took jlpt 2, how long was it after you took jlpt 3? just curious

 

[kitsura]

Yep. They're crazy! But well... I wasn't really prepared for it cos didn't have time to study...

But still, a real eye-opener. At least I know what to expect next year.

I though you already passed JLPT 2?

Anyway I also took JLPT 2 this year and I almost didn't make it in time because of the stupid SITEX causing a huge traffic jam near the Expo. I made it on the dot and they were already playing the exam instructions when I entered the classroom. Those of you who were in classroom 3-13 who saw someone rush in at the last minute, that was me.

And I felt that only the first 2 passages in the grammar portion was difficult. The listening was ok. At least I think I got most of them correct but we shall see next Mar.

 

[melovemanga]

I find section 1 and 3 of jlpt3 very very easy.Think at most only 5 mistakes hopefully.but the listening part...

Let's just say it's gonna pull my marks down significantly,i got more confused in mondai I than in mondai II,but that's just me.

Thus if I can get above 320,I'll be very satisfied already.