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+--- Thread: JLPT 2006 (/thread-81.html)
JLPT 2006 - JimmySeal - 2007-02-14
3 long years......since you started learning Japanese?!?!?
JLPT 2006 - suffah - 2007-02-14
bokuzukuri Wrote:i passed level 1 after three long years.Those are some very impressive numbers, congrats!
kanji/vocab: 98/100
listening: 97/100
reading/grammar: 183/200 (92%)
total: 378/400 (95%)
genki 1+2 and an integrated approach, kanzen master 1+2, rtk1+2, a pocket pc loaded with stackz and jlpt lists and watching a lot of japanese tv shows (bittorrent) worked for me. imo, japanese is a really simple language and easy to learn.
I think they are releasing an updated version of excel@kanji in the next few weeks which no longer uses excel. I will give it a try.
JLPT 2006 - chamcham - 2007-02-17
3 years is believable. If you went through RTK 1-3 (1 year),
then read lots of manga/books, and watched Japanese TV shows
without subtitles(2 years), then fluency good enough for 1-kyuu is doable.
When most people say they've been learning a language for X number
of years, just divide by 10 and you'll get the amount of time they really
studied.
It's all about persistence and discipline. You can master any language
reasonable well in a few years. Just have to be willing to put in the time
and work really hard.
JLPT 2006 - taijuando - 2007-02-18
even though I've been studying Japanese for three years with classes etc, I feel like this is really my first year...I probably can only afford to spend an hour every day....I begin each morning using the kanji cards to practice the onyumi readings....then move on to vis-ed flashcard study....I bought these for $14 at a university bookstore...I'm also using a Unicom JLPT, Level 4 test prep book...at night I make flashcards on flashcardexchange.com ....lately many card sets have come up for review and many of the sentences are tricky....i'll keep posted to this thread for inspiration....oh yes, I also try to keep up with kanjikoohii review
JLPT 2006 - guppy - 2007-02-18
I agree with chamcham....
I'm reluctant to admit how long I've been "studying" as it's embarassing. I get sidetracked and don't study like I should for months at a time, then get back on the wagon for a few months and then fall off. The painful cycle continuously repeats... But I agree, if you're completely dedicated (like I aspire to be) it'll only take a few years...
And yes, taijuando, I felt like it was my first year last year, even though it was well after my actual starting point.
JLPT 2006 - bokuzukuri - 2007-02-23
thanks, but 2,5 of my 3 years have been full-time university studies, with one of them being in japan so it isn't really _that_ impressive =)
just a note about rtk 3 - you don't need it for level 1. all of the kanji (minus 100 or so that mostly appear in frequently used words) are covered in 1+2.
JLPT 2006 - Jawful - 2007-02-23
bokuzukuri Wrote:thanks, but 2,5 of my 3 years have been full-time university studies, with one of them being in japan so it isn't really _that_ impressive =)Still, that is a feat most don't get to. I never even considered the possibility until I realized I really can learn kanji. I've always thought "oh I'll get to 2 and then stop" but once I learn 2000+ kanji, then it's just a mastery of the language itself, something I'm quite confident in.
just a note about rtk 3 - you don't need it for level 1. all of the kanji (minus 100 or so that mostly appear in frequently used words) are covered in 1+2.
That said, I'm still a beginner. Just finished chapter 1 of RTK, and took 4級 in Dec with ease. As of now I've been in Japan for 10 months so it's just a matter of time. I wish I could say I'd be ready to jump right to 2級 next year, but I'll have to see how I feel come september. 3級 will be as basic next year as 4 was this year, that much I'm sure of. I'd rather challenge myself. My company pays out bonuses for passing though, which is why I took the easy route this year.
JLPT 2006 - erlog - 2007-02-23
I feel like if you have almost a year to study and you feel like L3 would be a breeze, then do some hard work and push yourself for L2. I mean, what is there to study if L3 isn't going to be so hard for you? If you're going to study, may as well get the most out of it rather than sort of undershooting and wasting time.
I've never taken JLPT before, but I'm planning on taking it in December. Would you guys recommend to start at L4 even though I could probably do L3 and do okay? I'm not that familiar with the test process, and I feel like that could stress me out enough to make me not do as well. I dunno. Going with what I wrote above, I think I could shoot for L2. I'm not sure I care if I fail, and I'm definitely going to take it again so I may as well shoot for the moon and really know where I'm at.
JLPT 2006 - JimmySeal - 2007-02-23
It's a wise idea to buy at least one past test to practice for the actual one. Why don't you buy a ３級・４級 book (they come together in one book) and test yourself sometime before the application deadline (or sooner, as appropriate).
JLPT 2006 - guppy - 2007-02-23
Just my thoughts...
It took me too many times to mention (it's quite embarrassing) to pass 4級. I did eventually. The year I passed it, I felt confident, told myself to take a break and that break lasted about 6 months. Then I haphazardly studied, mainly old test, this site and the kaizen master 3級 book. I passed the 3級 on the first try (not a great score, but I passed)!! So I would recommend JimmySeal's suggestion. Compare and do which you feel comfortable with. The 3級 and 4級 are relatively close, however, there's a big jump between 3級 and 2級.
However, I do know a guy who passed 2級 within a year after passing 3級, so it can be done.
JLPT 2006 - Jawful - 2007-02-23
Yes, JimmySeal has it right. Get a practice test. Take it, see how you do. You can take the exact tests that were given previous years, and they follow the same pattern from year to year. I took 3 or 4 old 4級 tests before finally taking it in Dec. I knew I would do well, though my actual score was better than any of the practice ones had been.
From what I've heard, passing 3 or 4 means nothing to anyone. You can't use it to show any sort of real proficiency for anyone who may want it. I took it 'cause my company hands out cash for passing. The rest of the world starts looking when you can show them 2級. At least then you can prove you have a working knowledge and can function in a Japanese environment.
Therefore, I recommend you analyze your goals and go for that. If you want to see what level you are at, use the practice tests. They will tell yourself if you're at 3級. You don't need the official paper to tell you that you've passed. For me, I will take a test for sure 'cause my company will pay me for passing. I will probably take 3級 but I think it is a good idea to start studying for 2級 now even if I don't take it for another 1.5 years.