Last November I announced that I would be taking the JLPT this year in July in a bid to increase my Japanese skills and focus my study efforts, so how have things been going?
Well, I started taking private Japanese lessons in January, and they’ve been really good so far, but I have to admit I’m finding it a lot harder to get back into studying than I thought I would. With less than five months to go until the JLPT, I’ve been starting to feel a bit worried about whether or not I would be up to the challenge of N3, especially when you consider the fact that I will be in Japan for one of those months. Although I will of course be using Japanese every day whilst in Japan, it’s not the same as studying for an exam.
So, I’ve done a bit of soul-searching and had a chat with my teacher, and have decided that I’m going to take N4 instead of N3 in July. I know this might sound like a bit of a backwards step (as I passed the old level 3 back in 2009), but I think it’s a more realistic goal. If I can pass N4 with flying colours in July, it will also help with my confidence to try for N3 perhaps the following year.
On the JLPT website it gives an indication of what level one should be at for each level of the test and, when I read this, I realised N4 was definitely more for me than N3 at the moment!
As I’ve been working my way through the textbook Japanese For Busy People II I’ve found that a lot of the grammar and vocabulary is review for me – I’ve studied it all before but haven’t used it for so long that I’ve forgotten a lot. I’ve got into some lazy habits of being able to communicate without having to use correct grammar, and I need to correct that. Hopefully by the time I’ve finished that textbook and also done some specific N4 practice I’ll be up to the challenge of taking the test.
がんばります！(*^_^)v
A month in Japan will really help your Japanese – there’s nothing like using a language for real!
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True – I just wish there was a speaking part in the JLPT! I can’t wait to be in Japan though and to be able to speak Japanese every day! 😀
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It’s so easy to stop good practice habits and so frustrating to find out you have forgotten a lot. Keep going and it will come back especially with that month in Japan !
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Thanks Jason! 🙂
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Oh my goodness you are so right about the communicating without using correct grammar part. I do that constantly! Japanese people are so good about understanding what you actually meant to say, that it doesn’t matter if I don’t say it correctly. Love your かおもじ :p (*^_^)v
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By the way, it would be so lovely to meet up if you’re over here and might like to do that. If I’m not mistaken, we’re both Facebook friends with Caroline Pover 🙂
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That would be lovely! I’ll send you an email! (Yes, I am friends with Caroline – what a small world!) (*^_^)v
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がんばって！そして私はがんばります *^* ~
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がんばってね！
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Ah yes I feel the same my japanese gets a bit lazy. Not only are Japanese people good at understanding the bits I feel like they never want to correct me. That’s wonderful, that your studying hard and I know you’ll pass with flying colors for the N4. Best wishes on your test 🙂 がんばってね！（＾∇＾）I can’t wait to read about your Japan travels!!
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Thanks Shiotadesu! You’re right – Japanese people are so forgiving, and it’s so hard to improve if you’re not corrected. がんばります！
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Aww I was looking forward to being in the same exam room as you lol. But I totally understand what you mean! Good luck with N4 then, I’m sure you’ll pass it with flying colours!
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Yeah, me too! But I think this will be best for me. I’ll still see you there I hope! (*^_^)v
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がんばって！！！！
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ありがとう！がんばります！
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Hi there! Are you the gal that started OIJ on Facebook? My apologies if not, but equally I’m delighted to have found your site! I think private tutor lessons would do me some good actually, I’ve made every excuse in the book not to STUDY more, I’m busy, or this, or that, but I think I need to make the time! Did you find studying in a more structured environment is helpful?
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Hi there!
No, not me – I’m not sure what OIJ is actually. Anyway, glad you stopped by! personally I need the lessons – I need to know that I have homework to do and that someone is going to ask me for it, otherwise I won’t do a thing! (>_<)
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Whoopsie, sorry about that! OIJ is a group on Facebook where group members post “only in Japan” pictures etc, it’s quite interesting! I’m thinking of joining Kumon! Maybe the structured environment might help me stick to it! Any tips along the way, please post them, because I’ll need them!
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After my N4 experience, I feel like I should have aimed higher. The feeling of been challenged is actually a good thing.
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Yeah, I agree that it’s good to be challenged, but after my class today I think N4 is going to challenge me enough! 😉
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