Still going...

Never give up. That should be the motto of all language learners.

It's been over 5 years since my last post. A lot has happened in my life during that time, some good, some (a lot) not so good. But I still have my goals and language learning is one of them.

I passed the JLPT level 2 in 2012. I just sneaked past the pass level of something like 60%. Anyway, this year I have decided to try and take it again... 8 years later!

Back then I think I was in a rush to get Japanese under my belt and move on, so I was cutting a lot of corners. I had passed 2, so I could move on to 1. When, in reality, I still had a lot of work to do on the level 2 grammar and vocabulary.

I've realised that now that I am back tackling this level 2 stuff. I've signed up to an online level 2 course through Udemy. Recorded video lessons going through all the grammar points. I like this method, because it's like attending class, but you can do it at your own pace, and can rewind the teacher easily if you aren't paying attention (not so easy in a real life class). Plus it's cheaper! :)

Here is the level 2 course.

JLPT level 2 and new website

Been a while since I updated this blog, and there are a couple of things to report. Firstly, I passed the JLPT level 2! Yippee for me. I was actually a little surprised by this as I was only taking the test to see what it was like thinking I might be in a position to pass next year. Anyway, it turns out you only need t o get over 50% to pass because the test has become more difficult, which is exactly what I did, just. Anyway, a pass is a pass, and I'm pleased with it.

The other news is to report on a new site I've been using to study Japanese. Actually, this isn't a specific study site, it's a news site. It's called FNN News, and they have a lot of short video clips uploaded on their site, and the good thing is that they have the script printed below the video. This is priceless, because trying to catch the meaning of the video without the script is very difficult, but with the script you can, with the help of a trusty dictionary, make out the meaning of what the clip is about. My method is to watch the clip through once, then to read the script, looking up any words I don't know, then to watch the video again while reading the script, and to finally watch the video one more time without reading. By the final time I find that I'm able to understand what is being said, and I start to think about other things, e.g. the character of the people talking, or the reason for this news story, as if I were watching the clip in English. It's good stuff. Thanks to my teacher, Taka Sensei, for introducing this site to me.

JLPT N2

I took the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) last weekend. There are five levels and I went for level 2—the second toughest level.

I'm pretty sure that I didn't pass, but my long term goal is to pass in December (the test is held twice a year), so this was really just a practice run.

I didn't cram particularly hard for the test, just kept up with my daily anki flashcards on the iphone, and did a bit of reading practice. About a year ago I bought a level 2 past paper text which helps you to identify which parts of the test you are weakest at, and, according to that book, reading is my weakest area, hence the reading practice.

I'm looking forward to seeing the results in September, which will also help me identify which areas I need to work on for the test in December.

JLPT test voucher

I've finally received the test voucher for the Japanese Proficiency Test (JLPT).

I say finally, because I actually applied for the test around August/September time, and what with the amount of paperwork and the stamp address envelopes and registered mail things I had to sign seal and approve to get the thing sent off, I was expecting a pretty quick reply—-at least a 'thanks for applying, we'll be in touch' card or something.

When I didn't get this, I began to wonder if my application had actually been lost in the post, along with my 5000 yen, and I must admit, I actually had a bit of a chuckle to myself about the irony of it all. (I'm not sure why, but secretly I actually love it when the Japanese bureaucracy machine grinds to a halt. I guess it's the part of me that's filled out one too many forms just to justify my right to stay here.)

But anyway, the fact of the matter was I wasn't actually that bothered about my application getting lost. To be honest, since applying I've hardly spent any time studying Japanese. (I have a class every week that I still attend.) And my initial intention in applying was only as a sort of dry run, before taking the thing for real next year.

However, now I have a test centre, and a date and time to focus my mind, so I guess I better do something about it. I have two and a half weeks!!