Thank you guys for all the support and insight!

As from today, I have exactly 90 days The race is on, hehe...
I'll be using my Genki Textbook, past exams, flashcards and some websites when needed.

I'll see you around here

Got my application off for the 2kyuu! It's hard to balance what to study. I'm so close to finishing RTK (around 1800 now) but it's taking all my time that I've little left for grammar and listening. I'm determined to finish RTK in the next few weeks and then the REAL Japanese study begins I'll be taking the test up in Sapporo. Anyone else going to be there?

I mailed out my application yesterday for 2kyuu. It's going to be a challenge, as I'll have the rest of my other classes to study for once school starts up again. I haven't done much at all yet for JLPT prep, but I think as long as I work out a study schedule I should be fine (at least enough to pass). I'll be taking in in Tokyo, but god knows where. I guess I'll find out in October.

Still only at ~500 for RTK, though. Not sure if I should continue RTK and JLPT study at the same time, it might get a bit crowded. I might just cut down on the number of kanji I do for each day, maybe take it down to 10 new kanji a day instead of stopping altogether.

takoman: you are finishing the first RTK or the second?

Just been down the post office and got my application off for ２級。

I'll be in the somewhere in the Kanto area.

Aim is 320+ :/

pricca: I wish i could say the RTK 2, but only on the 1st. I feel a native american walking when I read kanji. For example, this morning in the bathroom I was reading the label from the can of bathroom deodorizer and saw the kanji 消臭. Instead of thinking しょうしゅう like I would after finish RTK 2, I think "extinguish stinking." Its cool that I can get the meaning but its frustrating that I can say things. Ahh, one day. But reading about everyone's experiences on this forum is very encouraging and motivating! We'll all get there :-) Good luck to everyone taking the JLPT this year!

I did that too with the air freshener in the school bathroom :/

Ooops! I meant to say that "Its cool that I can get the meaning but its frustrating that I CAN'T say things. "

takoman Wrote:"extinguish stinking."

LOL! That's cool all the same How long did you take to get to where you are now? And what discipline have you used? 30 mins everyday? On the train to work? Cram-School Style?

takoman Wrote:For example, this morning in the bathroom I was reading the label from the can of bathroom deodorizer and saw the kanji 消臭

a little embarassing maybe, but i am curious to know how many others have had their first stunning flash of real-life, real-time heisig applied comprehension involve these two characters on the bathroom deodorizer.

it certainly happened to me. those two innocent kanji, early to arrive in heisig's book, hanging out and clearly marking the bathroom deodorizers sitting quietly in the corners of every japanese bathroom, waiting to catch the unsuspecting eye...

Since the recent conversation is getting a little off the JLPT 2007 topic, I started a new thread http://forum.koohii.com/showthread.php?tid=769

pricca Wrote:LOL! That's cool all the same How long did you take to get to where you are now? And what discipline have you used? 30 mins everyday? On the train to work? Cram-School Style?

It's actually embarrassing that my Japanese isn't better than it is since I've lived in Japan for the past ten years. My studies up to now have come in spurts. A few months here - a few months there. Usually with a private teacher and self-study. Unfortunately I don't actually have a chance to use Japanese. At work I'm an English teacher. Although my wife is Japanese, we've got a little son and I'm his 'English rock' so I need to speak English while I'm at home or he won't become bilingual (he'll pick up Japanese naturally). So that's one of the reasons I'm trying the JLPT - as motivation to study. Right now I'm studying at least 8 hours a day because I'm on summer holiday but once that ends I'll be lucky to get in an hour a day. Actually my best study sessions are walking to work with a set of flashcards. It's a 50 minute walk so I get exercise and studying done at the same time. I did do a 4-week 4/hours-a-day intensive course this summer aimed at the 2級. That was great but actually so much info in a short time that i couldn't absorb it all in - plus I was doing Heisig at the same time (something not recommended). That's why now all my energies are toward finishing RTK1. Broke into the 1900s today! Yahhooo!

I'm looking for some inspiration....why should I pay Y6000 and waste a weekend to take JLPT? I was really looking forward to it a few months ago, but now I'm thinking about skipping it for the 15th year in a row.

brose Wrote:I'm looking for some inspiration....why should I pay Y6000 and waste a weekend to take JLPT? I was really looking forward to it a few months ago, but now I'm thinking about skipping it for the 15th year in a row.

Your inspiration is that if you don't apply by the 11th of this month, the application fee goes up to 8000円！

I'm getting quite into studying for ２級 just now. Hitting the grammar like Borat wants to hit some gypsies...HARD!

brose Not sure if this applies to you but grammar is my weak point. For the test, there is no escaping the grammar, so studying specifically for the test will improve my overall Japanese performance so that, as well as wanting to get a good score on the test is really motivating for me.

synewave Wrote:Your inspiration is that if you don't apply by the 11th of this month, the application fee goes up to 8000円！

Just thought I would let everyone know there is NO LATE APPLICATION period this year. If you are not postmarked by the 11th of September you are not taking the test.

I'm in! I'm not sure what you mean about grammar; it doesn't seem to me that it is really tested. For me it is the little phrases that are interesting, and it will force me to pay more attention to short vs. long vowels. I don't really care about my score as long as I pass.

next week i go back to the states after 9 months of intensive japanese (in japan of course). just realized i only have two more months to study... 頑張ります！

brose Wrote:I'm not sure what you mean about grammar; it doesn't seem to me that it is really tested.

I've wondered about this statement for a while but still not sure what you are getting at?

Posted to the JLPT 1級 thread (but this one is less exclusive) that I'll be at Waseda, along with Christoph and yourself too. Anyone else?

I'm at ichikawa in Chiba if anyone else will be there, hit me up!

anybody else taking the jlpt in san francisco?

I am!

～wobbling my way slowly towards being ready for 二級

synewave Wrote:

brose Wrote:I'm not sure what you mean about grammar; it doesn't seem to me that it is really tested.

I've wondered about this statement for a while but still not sure what you are getting at?

Give me an example of what you consider a grammar question. To me, a grammar question would ask if はor が was appropriate in a certain sentence, the correct honorific form of a verb, finding grammar mistakes in a paragraph, etc.

brose Wrote:Give me an example of what you consider a grammar question. To me, a grammar question would ask if はor が was appropriate in a certain sentence, the correct honorific form of a verb, finding grammar mistakes in a paragraph, etc.

A section of the test is entitled 文法, which is generally translated as grammar or syntax, as I'm sure you're aware. Whether the grammar section of the JLPT is actually testing grammar or not is an interesting topic. The majority of the points tested might be better described as short phrases rather than grammar points.

It does test your knowledge of correct honorific and humble forms though.

brose Wrote:Give me an example of what you consider a grammar question. To me, a grammar question would ask if はor が was appropriate in a certain sentence, the correct honorific form of a verb, finding grammar mistakes in a paragraph, etc.

As I live on this forum I can't believe that I've only just noticed your post...sorry!

I see your point. Most of the questions are more about knowing the appropriate word as opposed to specific "grammar rules".

But I suggest grammar certainly is tested in the 文法 section.

e.g.

私が皆様のご意見を＿＿＿うえで、来週ご報告いたします。

１うかがった
２うかがわれた
３うかがわせる
４うかがっている

This is a level 2 question but I'm sure you have similar questions on yours.