learning japanese

[Ah_keong]

this is a chicken and egg question. the debate will never end. what kind of exam is the best to measure japanese language standards?
there are ppl who can pass JLPT 1, but they can't handle a simple conversation. there are ppl who can speak well, but with poor foundation, simple mistakes and some can't write well. there are lots of these ppl around.
its up to the person to get what she/he wants, or is useful. eg, conversation skills are impt in the job, so work on conversation skills, and writing skills may not be that impt, or can afford to slack there.
of course, the best is to get a balance, or be good in all areas.

i totally agree...
basically form my point of view... JCS focus on the writting part (but they conversation courses to cover that field), Bunka focus on grammer part during elementary stages (which i think is very crucial too and capture on interest of non-natives instead of drilling with too many vocab... while Ikoma take a very balance approach (but quite expensive)

so for me, I take the Taoism approach... Balance is the key...

 

[Ah_keong]

Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to languages I think.

I would say I'm terrible at writing and speaking, even more so because I stopped studying Japanese officially for more than 1.5 years and have no one to practise Japanese with So that's why I'm going to go Japan in December to try improve at least on the speaking part.

I'm decent at reading (Japanese novels) and listening though, because that's my one of my hobbies I guess.

In Japanese I think my biggest problem is the lack of vocabulary. I just don't have the natural ability to remember tons of (written) words, which is why my Mandarin is also terrible; furthermore I'm downright lazy when it comes to studying and checking the dictionary. I am a very fast learner though with learning grammar structures (because it's logic based) and I can pick up meanings from sentences contextually quite easily (which explains why I can get through novels without knowing many words).

me too... my vocab sucks sia... and my conversation skills need brushing up...

i have problems remembering some vocab and also forget how the kanji is written sometimes... as for my chinese, i used to copy in my school days for ting xie and mo xie... now like i am paying a price for that...

my grammer sometimes i also mixed up the particles...

 

[Ah_keong]

i think the stuff in JLPT1 is not directly useful, as in we do not use them in our everyday life, but it is definitely good for us indirectly. JLPT 1 is a base for us to use. for example writing emails, reading newspapers, internet reading material. even when i watch japanese dramas/tv shows i can hear them using JLPT 1 grammar.
and yes, companies use it to gauge us, so in a way JLPT1 is useful. got JLPT 1= more money.

yah...
JLPT 1 is tough sia...

i see some of my friends with JLPT 1 and BJT certs...

they can talk like some kind of Foreign Diplomats sia on international mission....

fierce!!!

 

[dimitri_can]

i think the stuff in JLPT1 is not directly useful, as in we do not use them in our everyday life, but it is definitely good for us indirectly. JLPT 1 is a base for us to use. for example writing emails, reading newspapers, internet reading material. even when i watch japanese dramas/tv shows i can hear them using JLPT 1 grammar.
and yes, companies use it to gauge us, so in a way JLPT1 is useful. got JLPT 1= more money.

Agreed... It's like that.. In Singapore, if u can speak a foreign language. It's a bonus to u le.

 

[dimitri_can]

My friend doing quality... $4-5k... Diploma holder.

Eventually, when i get my Japanese teaching cert, maybe i hope to earn like $6k?

 

[ahmahippo]

which school should i go to be as pro as u guys?

 

[dimitri_can]

Let's face it. The school is only there to facilitate learning. You have to work hard yourself to be able to speak well and do well. If you ask me, go for a balanced school like Hougang Japanese Language School (in Hougang) or Ikoma, when u till JLPT 3 level then go to Ikoma for their prep class.

Syllabus will change from 2010 onwards.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JLPT

 

[unfinished07]

My friend doing quality... $4-5k... Diploma holder.

Eventually, when i get my Japanese teaching cert, maybe i hope to earn like $6k?

from what i know, in japan, the pay of teachers sucks. thats why so many japanese wanna go overseas to teach. and in singapore, the pay of the japanese teachers are also not fantastic.

 

[dimitri_can]

Haha... depends how many hours u work... lol

 

[kjaskk]

I wonder how useful are the Pre-Advanced, and Advanced level courses at Ikoma. Appreciate if those who have been through these courses can share your experiences.

I learned that the JLPT2 preparation class at ikoma is good value even though it is expensive as the teacher is good and committed to the teaching. I will enrol next year.

 

[ahmahippo]

Let's face it. The school is only there to facilitate learning. You have to work hard yourself to be able to speak well and do well. If you ask me, go for a balanced school like Hougang Japanese Language School (in Hougang) or Ikoma, when u till JLPT 3 level then go to Ikoma for their prep class.

Syllabus will change from 2010 onwards.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JLPT

How about the Hougang Japanese Language School (in Queenstown area)?
Wonder are they still around?

Syllabus change from 2010? meaning harder to pass?

 

[dimitri_can]

I wonder if u do read the link that's given... -__-"

A new and revised test pattern, originally scheduled to be implemented from in December 2009, has been postponed until 2010. The revised test will consist of five levels: N1, N2, N3, N4, and N5, with N1 being the highest level and N5 the easiest.

* N1: generally the same as the original level 1; however, slightly more advanced
* N2: the same as the original level 2
* N3: in between the original level 2 and level 3
* N4: the same as the original level 3
* N5: the same as the original level 4

In addition, the tests will be offered twice a year in Japan, China, Korea, and Taiwan: July and December. This will be effected in 2009. The July test will be offered for levels 1 and 2 only (or N1 and N2 from December 2010).

The revised test shall continue to test the same categories as the original. It shall not test oral or writing skills

 

[ahmahippo]

wow... that's more exams o0

 

[gnohzwd]

Wah...1k to 2k increase...that's a lot. But again, IT together with good japanese skills (jlpt1-2) can get a really good paying job...wasted major was not IT
But i didn't expect customer support can earn so much ;

Any idea what type of good paying job jlpt1 but no IT background can get you? lol

Speak well... Use keigo (ultra polite form of japanese)
Present yourself well.

I went through 4 rounds of interview to get this job.

1) Phone interview to test my conversation skills
2) Reall interview
3) Phone interview from Japan colleagues
4) Phone interview to test my IT support skills using Japanese.

Roughly with a JLPT 2 and good conversational skills, you can expect another $1k-$2k increase in salary.

Some ppl say a JLPT 2 is equivalent to a degree.... well... i dunno..

 

[gnohzwd]

Just curious, so does that mean our friends took the written test for BJT in Singapore and then flew to Tokyo to take the practical? o-o;

yah...
JLPT 1 is tough sia...

i see some of my friends with JLPT 1 and BJT certs...

they can talk like some kind of Foreign Diplomats sia on international mission....

fierce!!!

 

[dimitri_can]

せんもんは何ですか.............

 

[ahmahippo]

which JLPT 4 exam book for learning is great?
I think I came across somewhere but I couldnt find it now.

 

[gnohzwd]

せんもんは何ですか.............

日本語と日本研究なんですが・・・

 

[dimitri_can]

えっと。。。先生になりたいですか。。。もしよかったら、私にmsnのアドレスを教えていただけませんか。

 

[mouse123]

Anyone learned japanese in Bunka? Care to comment about the school?