RawToast Wrote:Since the 1st of July:

Sentence Cards:
Mature Cards: 2303 (1996) +307
Young&Learn: 373 (418) -45 (Could mean anything :S )
Total: 2676 (2411) +265

Kanji Stats:
815 total unique kanji. (781) +34

-----------------------

My Kanji stats are beginning to slow down. As I am trying to target my Anki deck towards N3, I expect the number of kanji to come to a halt. I think I must have added less new cards last month, that's no big problem as long as some progress was made.

Still working on my current set of ~135 cards (remaining Minna, some Tae Kim, and AIATJ)

Practiced reading with the usual graded readers. I had some pdfs for 'level 2', which were actually easy -- I can still remember finding the 'level 1' books hard. It's really encouraging when you notice progress yourself

I like the way that you count totals. I just summarized my total mature counts, and was really happy to see that I've added 1,300+ total mature cards this year. It looks like this thread and my study methods this year have been a really big success. By the way, last night I was reading NHK Easy News for fun and realized that I really can read most of it now. It's pretty cool. Some articles I don't even need a dictionary for. But of course some of them I still do.

Here's something else I'm really proud of: how much I've been able to reduce my study time while still learning a lot:


These are stats of my entire collection. Last year, when I began studying again after a decade long hiatus, a bunch of things happened all at once to cause me to study really hard. Anki was new to me, all the vocab was stuff that was "somewhere in the back of my head", I decided to try the N4, and I agreed to give a 30 minute speech in Japanese in Tokyo on my research. High stakes!

Since that all ended I was wondering if I'd be able to make progress without all that pressure related to the language. It's been a joy to see all these stats go up while I relegate Japanese to being just a hobby.

[RawToast]

Quote:I like the way that you count totals. I just summarized my total mature counts, and was really happy to see that I've added 1,300+ total mature cards this year.

ありがとう I like to count mature cards as 'learning' cards don't really mean much (those cards are still in short/medium term memory). There's a big difference between someone with 3000 mature cards and someone with 3000 mature and learning cards!

Quote:Here's something else I'm really proud of: how much I've been able to reduce my study time while still learning a lot:

That should be an indicator that your reading faster and finding new words easier, all good stuff!

Quote:By the way, last night I was reading NHK Easy News for fun and realized that I really can read most of it now. It's pretty cool. Some articles I don't even need a dictionary for. But of course some of them I still do.

That should be the reading section sorted

I'm considering registering for the N3 level but unlike everyone posting here in this thread, I haven't been really studying for the JLPT. Or Japanese much as a matter of fact. Been more studying when I felt like it lol xD

Background: About 2 years of college Japanese classes, I find grammar the easiest to learn as I can eventually see trends in the example sentences. Kanji and listening are probably the weakest for me. Never finished RTK (only did the sample and starting it up again with Japanese keywords added).

I've been considering the JLPT exams ever since I finished my last Japanese course a few years back but I was always hesitant/scared that I won't "cut it". Should I wait til next year? Thoughts?

[edit]: I have N3 level Nihongo-So matome Kanji and Vocabulary books and an older version of 「どんなときどう使う日本語表現文型200」as JLPT resources

There are vocabulary, kanji and grammar lists out there as well as practice tests. My kanji and vocab decks both had jlpt level fields, so I just unsuspended everything n3 and below. For n3, you only need 650 kanji and 3750 vocab. If you already have 2 years of classes under your belt, you probably know a lot of the basic material, but just need to add a few words and kanji here and there.

[RawToast]

Quote:Background: About 2 years of college Japanese classes, I find grammar the easiest to learn as I can eventually see trends in the example sentences. Kanji and listening are probably the weakest for me. Never finished RTK (only did the sample and starting it up again with Japanese keywords added).

If you completed Genki 2, Minna 2, or whatever the equivolent copy of JFP is then you should be ready to jump into N3 materials. Your grammar base would probably be better than mine My grammar knowledge is all over the place due to reading NHK Easy and other materials before properly learning the basics (hence going through Genki 2 atmo).

Those books should be a good start, but I have never tried a JLPT Kanji book. I'd pick up something for the grammar -- Kanzen Master is the recommended choice.

So started kanzen master n3 grammar book, while doing the reading book on the side (used the reading book before).

I would like to know from previous users of KM grammar book how did it go, what was your progress etc.

redshoulder Wrote:So started kanzen master n3 grammar book, while doing the reading book on the side (used the reading book before).

I would like to know from previous users of KM grammar book how did it go, what was your progress etc.

I had good use of it. My method was to go through a point, write 5 examples sentences for each possible construction and then post those to Lang8. Afterwards I would go through the corrections with my tutor and then finally add the points to Anki to get repetition. I went at a pace of one to one-and-a-half chapter a week. I also supplemented with DoBJG as the explanations sometimes can be very brief. Also I found that my tutor often gave valuable input about the actual, real life use of the grammar points.

In addition to the grammar book I also used the N3 reading book and found it to be quite spot on with the level of dificulty.

I report here my N3 failing results:
Language knowledge 27/60
reading 35/60
Listening 28/60
Total score 90/180.
Any comments from the pro would be appreciated, how far I am to pass it?
They were mailed to me today.
----
Despite what it seems, as my previous post said, I left 6 questions unanswered for the first part.
Assuming that half of them would be rights, the Language knowledge would be assesed differently, say 30-32 on 60.
Even that, would not let me pass the test.
During the test, "knowing" the reading was my weakest point, I concentrated and spent on that more time than ever so 35/60 was probably my best score ever...I left only 3 unanswered question on that section.
Astounding debacle for the Listening Section. What score need to be reached to pass that section?

----- For personal reasons I would probably not attend the next JP Winter session thus I have 1 whole year to improve.

[RawToast]

uaifestival Wrote:I report here my N3 failing results:
Language knowledge 27/60
reading 35/60
Listening 28/60
Total score 90/180.
Any comments from the pro would be appreciated, how far I am to pass it?
They were mailed to me today.
----
Astounding debacle for the Listening Section. What score need to be reached to pass that section?

----- For personal reasons I would probably not attend the next JP Winter session thus I have 1 whole year to improve.

According to wikipedia 19 marks is the passing score for each section, but you need an overall score of 95 or greater. So you failed by just 5 marks.

You have a whole year to improve, keep doing what you're doing and you should pass. I'd get a head start on N2 (if you want to take it) by working on your vocab and reading.

Quote:I had good use of it. My method was to go through a point, write 5 examples sentences for each possible construction and then post those to Lang8. Afterwards I would go through the corrections with my tutor and then finally add the points to Anki to get repetition. I went at a pace of one to one-and-a-half chapter a week. I also supplemented with DoBJG as the explanations sometimes can be very brief. Also I found that my tutor often gave valuable input about the actual, real life use of the grammar points.

That's a neat way to do it. I've never tried just writing example sentences on Lang-8, I tend to stick to diary entries and dialogs.

@yogert909: thanks for the link. I will refer to it to see where I am lacking.

@RawToast: my school didn't the popular Japanese books like Genki and others xD I don't have the textbooks at hand atm but I am looking at an old scan I saved in my dropbox. It was for my 3rd course (Lesson 24/28).

The grammar concept from the scans are になる/ ~くなる.

I'll probably purchase the Kanzen Grammar book as I've heard great things about the series. Also I'm unsure how my grammar knowledge scales due to the fact I didn't use a well known book series.

[RawToast]

Quote:@RawToast: my school didn't the popular Japanese books like Genki and others xD I don't have the textbooks at hand atm but I am looking at an old scan I saved in my dropbox. It was for my 3rd course (Lesson 24/28).

The grammar concept from the scans are になる/ ~くなる.

It might be worth flicking through the contents pages of a book like Genki 2/Minna 2. As long as you have covered 80% of the material I'd move on.

So this was kind of a bad week for my studies. I had to skip a JOI lesson I had scheduled on Tuesday because work was so hectic. Additionally, I had my 2nd italki reading lesson on Thursday night. Because of work I was really just not in the mood. And then I was reminded of just how bad my reading comprehension ability is. What they're testing is just totally different than your ability to make it thru an NHK news article. It always trips me up that the questions have different words than the text they're asking about.

I asked my teacher if she thought I would ever be able to do it. She responded by saying of course: this is only my 2nd lesson with her, and, well, this is what the N3 reading is all about.

We'll see if I make the cut by December.

RawToast Wrote:

Quote:@RawToast: my school didn't the popular Japanese books like Genki and others xD I don't have the textbooks at hand atm but I am looking at an old scan I saved in my dropbox. It was for my 3rd course (Lesson 24/28).

The grammar concept from the scans are になる/ ~くなる.

It might be worth flicking through the contents pages of a book like Genki 2/Minna 2. As long as you have covered 80% of the material I'd move on.

Just went through Genki 2 and I recognized most of it from my Japanese classes. The strange ones I know for fact I've never seen were ~し in Lesson 13 and from Lesson 21 with describing an "evil event" with (victim) は(villain)に　（evil act) grammar format. Guess my book wasn't an entire failure despite there only being 3 characters: ブラウンさん、田中さん、and occasionally 山田さん lol

[edit] Thank you for suggesting the I check out the grammar sections of Genki 2. It really feels good that my Japanese classes were about the same level as those who used popular books. I always assumed my formal studies was half-assed but guess it's not

Hi guys,

I can't remember if this got posted or not, but here is the JOI N3 prep schedule:

http://www.japonin.com/study-jlpt-n3.html

I really like Itaya-sensei, so I just registered for her next class. It's Sunday night in my timezone. If I like it, I will probably continue taking this class until exam day.

Compared to the end of August:

mature grammar cards: 414 (today) - 410 (end of August) = +4
mature kanji cards: 660 (today) - 660 (end of August) = 0
mature vocab cards: 4,240 (today) - 4,224 (end of August) = +16

Can't wait for the JLPT to be over so I can calm down with the vocab

I first started thinking about taking N3 when ariariari started this thread because I thought it would be a short detour and a nice boost to my ego if I were to pass. However, I've come to the realization that the detour is becoming much farther than my planned route and I'm unlikely to pass anyway.

So I've all but decided not to take the test in december and instead focus on reading things that interest me and preparing for my trip to Japan at the end of the year. I'm glad you started this thread because it's made me reevaluate my study methods and given me a better feel for what is needed to pass N3. I'll be following your progress and wishing you good luck on the test.

yogert909 Wrote:I first started thinking about taking N3 when ariariari started this thread because I thought it would be a short detour and a nice boost to my ego if I were to pass. However, I've come to the realization that the detour is becoming much farther than my planned route and I'm unlikely to pass anyway.

So I've all but decided not to take the test in december and instead focus on reading things that interest me and preparing for my trip to Japan at the end of the year. I'm glad you started this thread because it's made me reevaluate my study methods and given me a better feel for what is needed to pass N3. I'll be following your progress and wishing you good luck on the test.

Thanks! I'm glad that it helped you! Your post also reminded me that I actually need to sign up and pay money if I want to actually go thru with this. So I just did!

Hey guys, if you actually wind up signing up for the exam, let me know. It will help motivate me.

Besides taking the JOI prep class on Sunday night, I'm considering doubling up with a grammar class too. We'll see.

So today I finished sou-matome grammar week 1 day 1. I think because of my poor performance on N4's grammar section last year I have some kind of phobia about the grammar section. (Well, that plus the fact that I never studied Japanese in college, and have done very little classroom study with homework, etc)

It turns out that it wasn't so bad at all. I'm looking forward to doing more!

ariariari Wrote:

yogert909 Wrote:I first started thinking about taking N3 when ariariari started this thread because I thought it would be a short detour and a nice boost to my ego if I were to pass. However, I've come to the realization that the detour is becoming much farther than my planned route and I'm unlikely to pass anyway.

So I've all but decided not to take the test in december and instead focus on reading things that interest me and preparing for my trip to Japan at the end of the year. I'm glad you started this thread because it's made me reevaluate my study methods and given me a better feel for what is needed to pass N3. I'll be following your progress and wishing you good luck on the test.

Thanks! I'm glad that it helped you! Your post also reminded me that I actually need to sign up and pay money if I want to actually go thru with this. So I just did!

Hey guys, if you actually wind up signing up for the exam, let me know. It will help motivate me.

Besides taking the JOI prep class on Sunday night, I'm considering doubling up with a grammar class too. We'll see.

I signed up for the N1 a couple of weeks ago.
Mainly working on grammar and listening right now.

Here's hoping we all do well!

So I just took the JOI N3 reading class. Man, it was rough. We read one short passage and had 1 question. I could read it out loud fine, but was terrible at the comprehension. There were just too many words that I didn't know. Also, I struggle when a passage gets longer.

I decided to try and read one NHK Easy News article a day. One thing that those articles have going for them is length. There's 86 days until the test. If I read one article a day, or even just get close to that, it should make a big improvement in my reading ability.

Hello everyone.

Just wanted to let you guys know that I won't be able to register this year It's mainly due to financial reasons really. I just spent a lot of money for school which just started up (books, supplies, etc) so I wouldn't be able to come up with the money for the registration date of next week.

Which btw, the last day to register is Sept 25th!! If you still want (and can afford) to take the JLPT register before that date.

I'll continue to follow this forum topic of course. Best of luck everyone

Hello,
I was wrong about my future plan. I have just payed 5500yen to subscribe for the test this December. It is the 6th..instead of the 22nd as I was thinking before the date came out, thus I can make it.
Just bought two new books to help me to prepare it.
the already mentioned drill&drill and a book to train my listening: it is called
新完全マスター聴解　N3.
After the first two exercises I can say, - failed both- the listening is tricky, on purpose. It would not be easy to improve it. To underline it I tell you that
today I partecipated on a 4 hour meetings where we spoke only japanese on the job, thus my listening should not beso bad, but the way they put the questions on the test is.
Also I am taking 1 hour lesson per week, where I review some short "essays" and correcting some exercises with this new young teacher. I asked the teacher to suggests me some easy topics to write about as I think that helps me to improve my grammar and to remember better new words.
Unlike some other folks on the board I think the exam is quite cheap, even so I would be happy if the next time will be the last on this level.

The test is cheap in Japan compared to other countries, but like yourself it is not a big issue. For example In Ireland the test is 75 Euro however in UK it is 75 pounds (103Euro)which is quite a difference.

I have some points I would like clarification on what is the difference between the following?(from Kanzen Master)
Yes I understand what わけにはいかない is but the other I find is strange.

わけにはいかない
ないわけにはいかない

and also this sentence, which looks simple for me has little sense. In so-matome grammer book (a) is correct but i don't understand

日本へ観光で来ました
日本へ空港で来ました

redshoulder Wrote:The test is cheap in Japan compared to other countries, but like yourself it is not a big issue. For example In Ireland the test is 75 Euro however in UK it is 75 pounds (103Euro)which is quite a difference.

I have some points I would like clarification on what is the difference between the following?(from Kanzen Master)
Yes I understand what わけにはいかない is but the other I find is strange.

わけにはいかない
ないわけにはいかない

and also this sentence, which looks simple for me has little sense. In so-matome grammer book (a) is correct but i don't understand

日本へ観光で来ました
日本へ空港で来ました

In JOI they introduced 〜わけにわいかない and 〜ないわけにはいかない in the same lesson, which really confused me. Here is my example sentence for 〜ないわけにはいかない

部長も来るから、行かないわけにはいかない。
Since the head of my department is going as well, I must go even though I don't want to.

So it means "I don't want to, but I must".

After the lesson I went to a bar. Around 10pm I told my friends:

犬を散歩させないとから帰らないわけにはいかない。
Because I have to walk my dog, I must return home even though I don't want to.

I'm sure someone here will correct me if I got it wrong - always the risk of posting an answer!

uaifestival Wrote:Hello,
I was wrong about my future plan. I have just payed 5500yen to subscribe for the test this December. It is the 6th..instead of the 22nd as I was thinking before the date came out, thus I can make it.
Just bought two new books to help me to prepare it.
the already mentioned drill&drill and a book to train my listening: it is called
新完全マスター聴解　N3.
After the first two exercises I can say, - failed both- the listening is tricky, on purpose. It would not be easy to improve it. To underline it I tell you that
today I partecipated on a 4 hour meetings where we spoke only japanese on the job, thus my listening should not beso bad, but the way they put the questions on the test is.
Also I am taking 1 hour lesson per week, where I review some short "essays" and correcting some exercises with this new young teacher. I asked the teacher to suggests me some easy topics to write about as I think that helps me to improve my grammar and to remember better new words.
Unlike some other folks on the board I think the exam is quite cheap, even so I would be happy if the next time will be the last on this level.

This is interesting to me. I've been neglecting listening so far. Maybe this weekend I'll crack open my sou-matome listening book and start going thru it.