learning japanese

[Ah_keong]

wonder any new bird going for lesson too? maybe can go learn together
lol

I am learning at Ikoma... come join me!!

 

[Ah_keong]

KINYOUBI DAI SUKI

 

[unfinished07]

terraj>> waaaa crystal clear, thanks!

unfinished>>oh i see! btw when do I use the de aru thingy in compositions? If I write narrative compositions or composition abt myself etc should I use it? Or in those political, environmental etc type?

1)ano.....I'm still not sure when to use so****e and sorekara
テープを良く聞いてください。それから質問に答えてください。
ここで「そして」と「それでは」を使えませんか？

五時になりました。それからニュースを伝えします。
どうして「それでは」は間違いますか？

２）How to differentiate when to write 他の and　外の?

i think, である is used when u are describing something. something with serious, dry contents, and where you come to a conclusion, and not in narrative compositions.

eg. 1980年の公式経済見通しは過去20年以上に渡り最も厳しいものである。
The official economic forecast for 1980 is the bleakest in more than two decades.
this is the example given in www.alc.co.jp if you search for である。

and from yahoo! 辞書, the explanation is "断定の意を表す。…だ。"

and for そして　and それから　and それでは、　i only know それでは definitely can't be used in the sentence "テープを良く聞いてください。それから質問に答えてください。"
それでは is used when u are ending the previous topic, or when u wanna start a new topic. (changing of topic)
another usage is when ppl are ending their mail, they use それでは, and then sign off.
as for そして　それから, i'm not that sure leh......but i know there are slight differences.

for 2) i duno what you mean. 他の and 外の are quite different, right?

 

[ahmahippo]

I am learning at Ikoma... come join me!!

wow.... u just startin or already started?

 

[ender51244]

ender san> i am explaining correctly right?

should be correct, in a sense as in, from what i understand is also the same meaning. *sorry for the late reply*

 

[gnohzwd]

HAI.... wonder will i be so gd like u guys

Maybe you can try taking some private lessons instead of going to a school if you want to improve fast and have a teacher answer all your queries, since there'll most probably be quite a lot of students in the same classroom.

The teacher has to take into account the improvements and levels of all the students in the class so even if you want to learn fast, it's rather impossible

 

[kjaskk]

Hi Guys

Need to seek your views... Thanks for all your sharing. I have learned quite a lot from your sharing.

I have completed my studies in JCS many years ago. I have not being using Japanese for more than a decade. Recently, I have interest to pick up Japanese again. My current standard is a little less than JLPT 3. Plan to catch up to JLPT 3 level (which I had passed previously) by end of this year and then take up Japanese lesson next year.

Seems you guys do not recommend JCS and prefer Ikoma because of class size, teaching methods... etc... Any one here have attend JCS Advanced 1 class? Is the situation still that bad in more advance classes as I understamd many students , like me previously, would have dropped out for some reason in the course of learning.

The course fees at JCS is about $500+ to $680. Is this course fees for the whole level of one year duration? If yes, I think it is good value for money. Can even include conversation course at JCS and still it is affordable.
But must also know what I will be getting at JCS from experienced persons like you guys who have been through this path.

How about the pre-Advanced course at Ikoma? What is good of the JLPT preparation notes and teaching from Ikoma? Any good teacher to recommend? I did not quite get it from the replies here. Appreciate your clarification.

Thanks for your guidance.

 

[gnohzwd]

My wife and I are thinking about signing up Japanese classes since now she just quitted her job, and got lots of spare time. Both of us are in love with Japanese culture and often dreamed of living in Japan.

I'm currently working in an investment bank, and quite possibly that I can be posted to Japan in years to come (not for now, as finance market is in a turmoil). Although Japanese is not a must in working in Tokyo investment bank branch, having minimal command of Japanese will be advantageous.


As my work schedule is quite hectic, I just worried that I might not be able to catch up with Ikoma's pace. From what I read here, their 1st lesson is already quite challenging.


Any recommendation is welcome.

Maybe you can consider private lessons as well? They're more expensive than schools but you can learn according to your own improvement, slower or faster, and you can have the lessons customised to your own needs.

Schools are fun to get to know many others who share a passion in learning the same language, but it's another story if your main goal is just to gain proficiency

 

[ahmahippo]

yes, private ex but no idea where to find and how much
i heard they go by per hour o0

 

[dimitri_can]

I suggest u can try doing a bit of self study first to revise your JLPT 3 work.

Then next year proceed to Ikoma to study JLPT 2 Prep class if u aiming for JLPT 2 in 1 year or their Pre-Advanced class if u aiming to take JLPT 2 in 2 years.

Just fyi, the syllabus will change w.e.f 2010.

Seriously, i don't suggest JCS.

JLPT 2 prep in Ikoma is taught by Ms Kanai. Very good teacher.

Hi Guys

Need to seek your views... Thanks for all your sharing. I have learned quite a lot from your sharing.

I have completed my studies in JCS many years ago. I have not being using Japanese for more than a decade. Recently, I have interest to pick up Japanese again. My current standard is a little less than JLPT 3. Plan to catch up to JLPT 3 level (which I had passed previously) by end of this year and then take up Japanese lesson next year.

Seems you guys do not recommend JCS and prefer Ikoma because of class size, teaching methods... etc... Any one here have attend JCS Advanced 1 class? Is the situation still that bad in more advance classes as I understamd many students , like me previously, would have dropped out for some reason in the course of learning.

The course fees at JCS is about $500+ to $680. Is this course fees for the whole level of one year duration? If yes, I think it is good value for money. Can even include conversation course at JCS and still it is affordable.
But must also know what I will be getting at JCS from experienced persons like you guys who have been through this path.

How about the pre-Advanced course at Ikoma? What is good of the JLPT preparation notes and teaching from Ikoma? Any good teacher to recommend? I did not quite get it from the replies here. Appreciate your clarification.

Thanks for your guidance.

 

[slashay]

Where should I learn Japanese?

After reading a lot of the above comments, I am still confused! I don't know which school to go to learn Japanese! >w<

I am a secondary school student who is interested to learn Japanese! That means limited time because I have several major projects coming up next year. yamapi <3

I have shortlisted 3,
Bunka,
Hougang,
and JCS.

Could people who have attended Japanese courses at any of these 3 places please give feedback?
Because supposedly (as read/inferred from above comments) Bunka focuses more on oral components and less on grammar etc., and does not really provide a strong foundation. Is this true? But it seems like one of the fastest routes!
For Hougang, it supposedly provides a strong foundation, which is good right?
And lastly for JCS, its like slow and steady, and supposedly provides a good foundation! And the environment is good too because theres like a library etc.

Please, please advice me!
(And one final question, for JCS, if you want to take JLPT, how do you go about doing it! As in right, what order of courses do you have to take? If you're already taking the regular or intensive courses, must you still take the JLPT preparatory courses? When?)

THANK YOU SO MUCH

 

[dimitri_can]

JCS starting has 40 students..
Bunka not sure...

Hougang: i started studying there for my JLPT 4 and 3... Later on move to other schools for JLPT 2.

Application for JLPT (usually every Aug/Sep)
http://www.jcss.org.sg/test.html

More info on JLPT here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jlpt

There are lots of info here.

http://japanese.meetup.com/7/messages/boards/thread/2955557
http://japanese.meetup.com/7/messages/boards/thread/4086543

 

[slashay]

oh no!
I seriously don't know which school to go!

At first, I didn't want Ikoma because it was kinda expensive. But a lot of people say its good.

So I was considering going to a school other than Ikoma then going for the JLPT preparatory courses at Ikoma. But, still, what school? Now I'm considering Bunka and JCS. But I'm afraid that the pace at JCS might be too slow. And that Bunka might not provide a strong enough foundation.

But if i go for the JLPT preparatory course at Ikoma, even if i get high marks for JLPT, it doesn't mean my Japanese is good right? Because JLPT may not be a definite way to assess ones standard.

Should I just go Ikoma? But the Basic course alone is $1120. Now with the sucky economy ): OHNO.

 

[ahmahippo]

me too thinking JCS, Ikoma and Bunka hehe...

i just worry i cant pick up fast on it, but i have the money, maybe those one on one better?

 

[ransackyourtoilet]

slashay>> If you are a student I think you better save on money. Go to Hougang or JCS. They teach thoroughly from what I see from my friends. If you are more intent on learning it fast, you can always spend the money that you save from not going to the other schools to buy assessment books. (Then sell them so you can get some money back. Haha.) If you are a secondary student you may want to borrow and photocopy notes from those who take Japanese as 3rd lang?

 

[dimitri_can]

oh no!
I seriously don't know which school to go!

At first, I didn't want Ikoma because it was kinda expensive. But a lot of people say its good.

So I was considering going to a school other than Ikoma then going for the JLPT preparatory courses at Ikoma. But, still, what school? Now I'm considering Bunka and JCS. But I'm afraid that the pace at JCS might be too slow. And that Bunka might not provide a strong enough foundation.

But if i go for the JLPT preparatory course at Ikoma, even if i get high marks for JLPT, it doesn't mean my Japanese is good right? Because JLPT may not be a definite way to assess ones standard.

Should I just go Ikoma? But the Basic course alone is $1120. Now with the sucky economy ): OHNO.

U can pm me ur MSN... i can advise u. =)

Don't worry... I won't eat u up. I have quite a good reputation to uphold... lol

 

[ahmahippo]

hai... me also lost...

i find it funny as in why JCS took 11 mths to finish basic while the rest of the sch is around 2 or 3 mths?

errr... i mean, if a person really bad or took sometime to get to know the language.... would it really better to go longer lesson? i just worry i cant catch up. Just wish to be as pro as most of u here

 

[ransackyourtoilet]

ahmahippo>> eh no eh. for others their courses are being split into parts thats why. ikoma basic 1-2 is 9 months. bunka ele1-int2 is 8 months etc...

 

[fox1]

I studied at Bunka till Int 4. I skipped JLPT4 and went direct to JLPT3 and passed. But I did self study, of course.
Before starting at Bunka, I had already memorised hiragana/katakana as well as some basic conjugations.

 

[dimitri_can]

for those who taking JLPT 2.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/dwmwug

http://www.sendspace.com/file/cm4sr7