learning japanese

[azumangadaioh]

actually, u can't compare, becos ur ex-classmates were from Cambridge right?

Cannot compare, but I must say if I had not have the experience of screwing up back then, I wouldn't be so motivated now, picked up some study skills [ that previously don't have ] as a result of joining this current school.

 

[azumangadaioh]

I have been to a lot of schools, and i can tell you that the head trainer, Mizusaki sensei is a good teacher. She's overworked and having high blood pressure? and i am surprised by the amount of words that a PA3 student know.... That's y i can understand the frustration that azu-san has.

Sounds like someone has joined PA3 in Bunka ? ...

 

[dimitri_can]

Sounds like someone has joined PA3 in Bunka ? ...

That was then, some time back. LOL

 

[XasakuraX]

haha. the problem is my exams n trip is tied back to back =( so i dont have the extra few hrs to go check out b4 my trip =( haiz...

 

[agony2]

Ele1 only...But 2 things you need to focus on for speaking.

- Make sure you speak the words like how they are meant to be pronounced, not with local accent, because once you mess this up at this point of time when you are first learning, it can be very difficult / near impossible to fix later [ may even have to get a voice coach for help ], when all Japanese that comes up of your mouth sounds like Singlish form of Japanese. E.g. I have a friend that always speaks ここ [ this place ] as Coco [ up-down tone ], like the name of that singer or the chocolate drink, instead of the correct down-up tone [ like the way Cantonese say kor-kor for elder brother, same down-up tone ].

- Practise speaking fast, use the dialogue practise exercises found in your textbook to speak as quickly as you can for ANY sentence WITHOUT pausing, no drooling of saliva, no "saliva spraying", no pauses, no sudden breathing of air in the middle of speaking a sentence, and CORRECTLY. You will also find it harder when you attempt to read to someone in front of you.

Remember that speaking is a different [ physical + mental ] skill from studying [ mental ], as it involves various parts of the mouth, the physiological make-up, muscles around the jawbone and inside the mouth [ and the tongue is a muscle too ], airway, breathing, and have to think in order the string the words coming out of your mouth in coherent order.

So have fun !

Thanks for the tips. I have a feeling I sound very singlish when i speak. I hope to rectify it before it's too late.

 

[azumangadaioh]

Thanks for the tips. I have a feeling I sound very singlish when i speak. I hope to rectify it before it's too late.

It's easier to intonate the sounds and words slowly, but accurately. Speed can always be worked on later on. Since you are at Ele1, take the time to get right accent that you want. The eventual goal would be even the Japanese will assume you are Japanese when speaking to them over the phone.

 

[vlazygirl]

Hi, I understand the JLPT test voucher has not been mailed out yet...but from past years, does anyone know at what time is JLPT 4 usually scheduled? Or does it change from year to year?

Thanks.

 

[dimitri_can]

Never read your information booklet heh?

1st sunday of december

 

[PingJun]

Hi, I understand the JLPT test voucher has not been mailed out yet...but from past years, does anyone know at what time is JLPT 4 usually scheduled? Or does it change from year to year?

Thanks.

Hello.

If you mean the time as in whether in the morning or in the afternoon, what I know is that in Year 2007, it was tested in the morning [I took JLPT 4 that year].

Last Year [Year 2008], it was tested in the afternoon.

 

[azumangadaioh]

Cambridge at JE that I had my classes last time was more like a cultural immersion course, cannot say it's intensive, quite relaxing actually. If you are counting on it to finish JLPT4 in 1 year from the time you start picking up Japanese, you are better off going to other schools. Don't know how they conduct classes at the Peninsula Plaza however..

 

[dimitri_can]

Are the teachers Japanese?

 

[vlazygirl]

Hello.

If you mean the time as in whether in the morning or in the afternoon, what I know is that in Year 2007, it was tested in the morning [I took JLPT 4 that year].

Last Year [Year 2008], it was tested in the afternoon.

Thanks! Seems like it's not a "usual fixed" timing then... will have to wait for the test voucher to know. (trying to plan some other thing for that day).

 

[yourbighead]

HARD FACTS

Max students per class = 12 [ or is it 14 ? ], total time per lesson = 1.5hours or 90mins.

So 90 / 12 = 7min 30secs per student [ 6min 25secs if 14 people ]. Even if assuming sensei does not give lectures [ where everyone just listens ], you only get 7.5mins for yourself. So if the person "cannot perform on cue", then it's better to move on to the next person quickly rather than waste time and deprive those behind of their lesson time.

To those starting out in Pre-Advanced 1, must realise, you only get 1 lesson per week, only 7.5mins for your chance to show your stuff to sensei, unless your classmates are a shy lot [ you talk they listen ], you need to compete for sensei's attention, since there are 13 other people he / she has to attend to other than you. Otherwise, will get stuck in PA1 for a long time...

which level are you at now in bunka?

 

[azumangadaioh]

Are the teachers Japanese?

せんせい は にほんじんです. Apparently in the area, there are too many various private schools competing for business, on top of that, there's no publicity about this school locating on the 3rd floor of the block housing the supermarket. Banners of other schools are displayed prominently on the ground floor, near the traffic lights. So when they decide that there are enough people asking about Japanese lessons, then they start a class.

There were no other Japanese classes going on at the time we were having ours. So you can see if the lessons are too intensive, it may scare away the sparse number of students they already have.

 

[azumangadaioh]

which level are you at now in bunka?

The answer is in my signature...

 

[azumangadaioh]

Hello.

If you mean the time as in whether in the morning or in the afternoon, what I know is that in Year 2007, it was tested in the morning [I took JLPT 4 that year].

Last Year [Year 2008], it was tested in the afternoon.

Those that have signed up for JLPT and Standard Chartered Marathon this year, you may have to sacrifice one as they are on the same day.

 

[azumangadaioh]

HARD FACTS

Max students per class = 12 [ or is it 14 ? ], total time per lesson = 1.5hours or 90mins.

So 90 / 12 = 7min 30secs per student [ 6min 25secs if 14 people ]. Even if assuming sensei does not give lectures [ where everyone just listens ], you only get 7.5mins for yourself. So if the person "cannot perform on cue", then it's better to move on to the next person quickly rather than waste time and deprive those behind of their lesson time.

To those starting out in Pre-Advanced 1, must realise, you only get 1 lesson per week, only 7.5mins for your chance to show your stuff to sensei, unless your classmates are a shy lot [ you talk they listen ], you need to compete for sensei's attention, since there are 13 other people he / she has to attend to other than you. Otherwise, will get stuck in PA1 for a long time...

Okay, I am quoting myself. It's an update for PA1.


[ NOWS ] Class for PA1 have MAX 16 students
90 / 16 = 5.625mins per student, or rather 5min 37.5secs if you like accuracy.

I hope all my classmates are shy...

And additional information I promised I will find out for someone here was
[ NOWS ] cost of replacement class for Ele1 to Int4 is $42.80 incl GST.

[ NOWS ] First 2 replacement classes are FREE, per course. But cannot accumulate..

NOWS = Not On WebSite

 

[dimitri_can]

Okay, I am quoting myself. It's an update for PA1.


[ NOWS ] Class for PA1 have MAX 16 students
90 / 16 = 5.625mins per student, or rather 5min 37.5secs if you like accuracy.

I hope all my classmates are shy...

And additional information I promised I will find out for someone here was
[ NOWS ] cost of replacement class for Ele1 to Int4 is $42.80 incl GST.

[ NOWS ] First 2 replacement classes are FREE, per course. But cannot accumulate..

NOWS = Not On WebSite

Are you sure 16? I remember i had 17 in my class before.

Whatever it is, i am not sure if i wanna pay such $$ to go in a class ($6.75 for 5.625mins)
It has it's good points too, like u can hear ppl speak their mistakes and u learn from it...

So all in all, it depends on YOU!

 

[Ah_keong]

Wah...1 more month to go...can't wait

Btw, last fri was fun. The japanese students were so friendly and love to take photos I was so nervous coz I was given a chance by my sensei to become one of the emcees for the closing ceremony..all in all, it was a very enriching experience

Ahkeong san, you have friends taking japanese mod in NUS izzit?

i see,
i have some students taking Japanese mod in NUS bah...

 

[Ah_keong]

Ele1 only...But 2 things you need to focus on for speaking.

- Make sure you speak the words like how they are meant to be pronounced, not with local accent, because once you mess this up at this point of time when you are first learning, it can be very difficult / near impossible to fix later [ may even have to get a voice coach for help ], when all Japanese that comes up of your mouth sounds like Singlish form of Japanese. E.g. I have a friend that always speaks ここ [ this place ] as Coco [ up-down tone ], like the name of that singer or the chocolate drink, instead of the correct down-up tone [ like the way Cantonese say kor-kor for elder brother, same down-up tone ].

- Practise speaking fast, use the dialogue practise exercises found in your textbook to speak as quickly as you can for ANY sentence WITHOUT pausing, no drooling of saliva, no "saliva spraying", no pauses, no sudden breathing of air in the middle of speaking a sentence, and CORRECTLY. You will also find it harder when you attempt to read to someone in front of you.

Remember that speaking is a different [ physical + mental ] skill from studying [ mental ], as it involves various parts of the mouth, the physiological make-up, muscles around the jawbone and inside the mouth [ and the tongue is a muscle too ], airway, breathing, and have to think in order the string the words coming out of your mouth in coherent order.

So have fun !

This is great advice man...