＼(＾▽＾*) Angry Gaijin Understand Understanding. (*＾▽＾)／
This past December I took the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (N1 Level) but failed!!
To those of you looking for a Japanese-English translator, don’t be mistaken: it was close!
But nevertheless, I fell short – and I know a few people who are in the same position, especially with these higher-level tests!
How on earth do you study for the JLPT?? A large portion of the content of the N1 is based less around day-to-day ‘usual’ Japanese than scholarly Japanese, or as my gf said when she looked at my prep tests, “They’re going out of their way to make this Japanese difficult!”
Cripes, to anyone who’s had to read a scholarly article in English – I’m sure you know what I mean.
But whatever might be said, this is a mountain I’ve got to climb! I’m not giving up, and I’m going to retake the test again this year.
But you still haven’t answered my question: “How on earth do you study??” No textbook I’ve seen really seems to do the (higher level) tests justice. So I did a little bit of research.
As a teacher within the Japanese public school system, I can see that as a university graduate with umpteen years of in-class Japanese experience, there are Japanese words and kanji that I know, but the elementary and middle school kids don’t!
Oh yeah, score 1 for me! (/-_-)/
But I’ve noticed that there is also a bootload of stuff that the kids know, but I don’t!
That’s not fair! What are they feeding these kids in the classrooms?? What kinda knowledge did my university instructors decide to withhold?? That’s not fair!
Remedy?
THIS WEBSITE: http://www.jakka.jp/6.htm
Sample Worksheet.
BEHOLD! Actual lists and worksheets full of Japanese that Japanese children themselves learn in school!! This page specifically looks at the 6 year students’ lesson content, but look around – I’m sure there’s more!
I totally recommend this for anyone taking the N2 or N1 – it’s a great way to brush up and learn new words! I love it!
How about you? Have any good resources you’d like to share with the class?
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Happyuan
Hey there Cameron! Have you been to Sasebo lately? I was 10 years old back in 1961 when my family was stationed there at the naval base. I would love to see what it looks like now! We lived on Mt. White Cloud; there was another Mt. Ibushi nearby, I think. The only japanese I remember is (I’ll spell it phonetically) Soar-e-wa, E-kur-a-deska? O.K., stop laughing! Does that mean anything like “Excuse me, how much is that?” I have such great but somewhat foggy memories of that time!
Hey Peter! Thanks for the comment~
No way! You used to be around this neck of the woods too, eh? I’ve totally been to Sasebo, which these days is famous for its Sasebo Burger. Sadly, the burger I had wasn’t all that great, but there are many kinds, and people vouch for them~
I don’t know Sasebo much better than that, but if I go again, I’ll try to take some pictures to put up here!
Your Japanese is pretty bang-on. :) “Sore wa ikura desuka?” “How much is that?” It seems like lots of American families were around in Japan in the 1960s.
Hang in there! You can take the test again and will do well.
That reminds me of my friend. She is also learning Japanese ^^
Good luck to her!
the day your N1 certificate reaches your mailbox is in the cards my friend. you will rejoice and enjoy the fruits of your labor! I used (and continue to use) the Ask series of 日本語総まとめN1. For me, they get they get the job done. When it comes to practice tests though, I useアルく’s 日本語能力試験スーパー模試. THIS PLAYED A CRUCIAL ROLE in my passing of N2 and N1. Take these practice test the exact same way you would the real thing, with a timer, test answer sheets, pencils and all. Maybe even have a friend hover over you with yellow and red cards just to add some hontoness in the mix. Really though, If test day is Sunday, I would take a practice test on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Come sunday, you’re in the groove and they’re no surprises. That’s the best advice I got to turn that angry a little more happy :p
Oh nice! Textbooks, eh? Super~ Haha, I suppose the red and yellow cards come separately, eh?
Hope you nail it next time. Wish I had some pointers for you but other than trying to study from what you remember on the test… I got nothing. Good luck with your studying!
Haha, thanks anyway!
I always heard N1 was rediculous. I’m having a hell of a time with just N4. I used to use a site called Kanjibox https://kanjibox.net/kb/ . I had originally downloaded the Iphone app and discovered the website later. It has one of those features where it gives you the word and you have to give the missing kanji like you showed above. It also does grammer and reading. And its FREE!
How much do the tests cost?
Good luck on your next try
The texts are definitely not free~!
But they’re not that expensive either. This past test I got a couple books from the website and they were only maybe 10 bucks a piece.
Thanks for the link!! I’ma check it ewt!
Sorry to hear that. I wish you all the best on you next take. What matters is we try our best. When I took my TSE for my nursing U.S. requirement, I failed the first time. Made me crazy for a moment knowing I do speak English and passed even my nursing exams which were all English. I passed the second time because I said the stuff they wanted to hear both in contents and they way it should sound.
Yeah, part of doing well on a test is knowing what they’re looking for, eh? “Smart test taking,” I suppose. I’ll try a little more of that last time. I’m glad that you got through yours!! :)
Congratulations – all the best people fail the JLPT! I am actually on the first page of google searches for “failing JLPT”. Don’t go knocking me off my prime position.
Hahahah. I was a born loser, yo! But I’ll try my best not to knock you of the top hits for failing the test! n_n
I was so close to passing N2, but no cigar. They are really hard to study for :/. My favourite for kanji is http://www.skritter.com (it’s a sunscription service that you have to pay for, but there is a free trail) and for reading I just try to read the news on NHK. And podcasts for listening comprehension. Thank you for the link to the site, it’s gone on my favourites list :). I’ll be trying again too, I wish you all the best!
Hey cool! Thanks for the resource! It looks promising~
I’ve set up the kanji links I posted so they open up automatically whenever I open my browser, teehee.
I outta try reading the NHK news a little more often though! Thar’s another good idea.
Good luck to you too, eh? :)
Good that you’re not giving up! N1 is notoriously difficult. Just keep trying. If you take the test enough times and keep studying in the meantime, you are bound to pass sooner or later! :-)
Hahah, thanks, Haruko. I take it you’ve made it all the way to the top, eh? :)
Haha no way! The info about N1 that I have is hearsay only. I’ve only tried (and passed) N4, which is easy as pie. My Japanese is basic at best. I can manage the daily conversations but fully understanding a tv show or reading a magazine are out of the question. I’m working on it though, slowly but steady.
I’m sure you’ll ace it next time!
Thank youuuuu…
Have you tried for the JLPT?
Nope… I only know 50kanjis (on a good day):)
That’s too bad. I checked JLPT website and wow! N1 is very difficult. I think even many Japanese can’t correctly answer it. I got all the answers right on N1 trial test though :) Those questions including long sentences look like a university entrance exam. Better luck next time!
Wow – university entrance exam level, eh?? That’s tough!
I’m glad that you passed the trial tests though! :D :P
You’ll get it next time!
Thank youuuuu! ;_; Ganbaru!
Damn, don’t feel bad about failing level 1, most Japanese would – even ‘white collar’.
Word. Nobody seems to have much luck with Japanese – even the Japanese, lol.
No good resources to offer up. Does this mean you are trying to stay in Japan now?
I’m keeping my option open. :)
Good luck to your next challenge My daughter is also learning Kanji
Thank you~ Good luck to your daughter, too!