I won't be able to make it to the Kamakura get together. However will be taking the JLPT2 this year. Most likely in Yokohama, Shizuoka or Tokyo. So if anyone wants a (kanji)coffee during the break times, let us know where you're gonna take the test.

Cheers,

I'll be taking the JLPT in Kagawa, so though I may be 400k away, I'll be taking a coffee break with you in spirit.

[ファブリス]

Quote:(kanji)coffee

I've never done JLPT but I'm thinking it could be a good idea to try JLPT 4 or 3. I would have a schedule, and a list of grammar and vocabulary to learn, instead of going in random directions at the moment.

If I try for JLPT 4/3, it would be in December this year and I would go to London. It is handled by SOAS.

Cool, we could have a JLPT-coffee-break-get-together in London then!

I'll be happy to join you guys for a pint in London! :-)

ファブリス Wrote:I've never done JLPT but I'm thinking it could be a good idea to try JLPT 4 or 3. I would have a schedule, and a list of grammar and vocabulary to learn, instead of going in random directions at the moment.

I've found the two book set "A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar" and "A Dictionary of Intermediate Japanese Grammar" (Seiichi Makino and Michio Tsutsui, The Japan Times) to be a great self-study tool for grammar. I originally bought the intermediate version but you really need both on hand because they refer to each other. My Japanese teachers sometimes use them for handouts, too.

Here are the Amazon.com pages for these books:

Basic:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/4789004546/

Intermediate:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/4789007758/

[ファブリス]

Looks like just what I need, thanks rgravina!

Yes, both books are very detailed and thorough. A definite must. As well as the UNICOM books for JLPT.

I'll be taking JLPT 3 at the Chicago site in the US this december. I guess I'll be alone

Those two grammer books really do look good. It's too bad they are both so expensive though...

I'm gonna be taking the JLPT3 in Shizuoka this year, if you take it there, I'll go for a (kanji)coffee (lol) sure, just let me know!

Chris07931 - Me and my mate are going down to Shizuoka from Susono. He'll be doing lv 3 with you. Might even see you on the way there (if you're taking the train that is)!

I'll be taking the JLPT level 1 (gulp) in London. Would be happy to meet anyone. I haven't signed up yet though. Better check the deadline.

wrightak Wrote:Better check the deadline.

The application period has only just started and the deadline is in the first week of October. So, you have plenty of time

The deadline here in Japan is September 5. JEES seems to have the slowest processing department in the world.

synewave Wrote:Chris07931 - Me and my mate are going down to Shizuoka from Susono. He'll be doing lv 3 with you。

Wow, you're like just 4 stops down the 御殿場線!! (gotemba line)

yeah, I might take the train down, dunno yet, might be easier to drive.

oh yeah about those grammar books, you can find them at The Japan Shop for around the same price, without the 6 week (I assume, delivery times state 3-9 business days ). wait from Amazon.

It's all gone quiet in this thread... Was it really that difficult? :-)

For me it was!! :-\ But it was my own fault, Level 2 was waaay too much of a long shot for me, as I've been so busy with other things for the past several months, I didn't have time to study properly. Sure, I knew the kanji pretty well (i've gone thrugh RTK Vol 1) but I didn't always know the pronunciations or the meaning of compounds. I definiely didn't have enough vocabulary (I estimate I know about ~3500 words, but I think you need to know about ~6000 for Level 2). Also, my reading wasn't fast enough, so I totally ran out of time in each section. Even the listening part (which I had thought I could breeze through) was tricky for me, due to my lack of sufficent vocabulary.

But anyways, even though I estimate I got a 15% on that exam (seriously!), I'm glad I took it....got an excuse to go down to New York and take a mini-vacation for the weekend. And of course now I know more of what to expect for next year. I really think the JLPT was the only thing that made me keep studying Japanese, even though I had stopped taking classes in May. So that's why I have to sign up for the JLPT Level 2 again next year.....so I don't forget what I've learned in the past 3 years!

Anyways, I really wish there was a "Heisig method" to learning other aspects of Japanese, (say, vocabulary)! Because now that I'm studying on my own it seems like a big part of learning more vocab, grammar etc is rote memorization, which as we all know doesn't always work that well.

sweeneet, I feel EXACTLY the same way you do.
I finish the Heisig book recently as well.

I even took the JLPT Level 2 in New York.
I took the test in Kent Hall.

As for a Heisig method for vocabulary, you should just be reading
and talking as much as possible. For example, reading manga that
furigana over the kanji. Also, find a japanese person to become
your conversation partner(for example, post an ad on craigslist
or checkout http://japanese.meetup.com).

As you encounter more words in readings,
your vocabulary will increase and as you use them in conversation, you'll
become more familiar with how to use them properly.

We're way ahead of the game since we've finished Heisig.
Most people can only dream of reading things in Japanese.
Take advantage of it.

You should read a book called "How to Learn Any Language" and look at the website how-to-learn-any-language.com. They discuss the importance of using mnemonics and other methods to learn a language on your own.

Got my results for JLPT yesterday. Didn't get a great mark but did manage to pass. Without finding this site there is no way I would have got through! KanjiKoohii put the fun back in to learning as far as I am concerned. Thanks again Fabrice.

yea, got my results too. passed level 3 with a 95% average. (should have bit the bullet and taken level 2....)

what level did you take synewave?

yorkii Wrote:yea, got my results too. passed level 3 with a 95% average. (should have bit the bullet and taken level 2....)

That is really impressive! I didn't get much over 80% when I did JLPT3. But at the time I honestly didn't know if I'd even passed it.

yorkii Wrote:what level did you take synewave?

JLPT2. I'm still not decided whether I will try JLPT1 or re-take JLPT2 at the end of the year. My opinion is, you really want to be getting over 90% coz that shows you know what you should. Less than 80% or so shows that there is still quite a bit that you don't.

congrats guys,

I ain't got my result yet, was a slacker and didn't tell them I changed address...

w00t! 85% on 1Q. And I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have even taken the test if it weren't for RTK. Stick with it, people! The benefits of the Heisig method will last a lifetime.

Incidentally, I got 76% on 2Q last year, so if you passed this year, synewave, I certainly think you should set your sights on the next level for this December.

My feeling is, and I'm not sure if it's correct, is that if you're going to spend a whole year studying then you may as well study up the higher level if you did alright on the less hard level. A year is a long time.