The Japanese Learner

How Reading Japanese Aloud Can Help with Speaking Skills

One of the most important keys to really knowing a language is to be able to communicate in it.

It’s very important to be able to express your thoughts and emotions, while also being able to understand the thoughts and emotions of others.

One way of improving your speaking skills is to be able to read Japanese at your current level with ease and comfort.

It would be best to collect materials that pertain to your level of Japanese.

Our goal at this point is for you to read the material aloud in a natural native speed.

First, get a short story that is comfortable for your level and read it in your head. This will help you get a better understanding where the particles are, the spaces to pause and where intonations will rise or fall.

Second, read it out loud ensuring you are reading every syllable without any mistakes.  Then, read the story over again aloud trying not to make the same mistakes.

Just keep repeating the process until you are able to understand every word and grammar structure presented in the material.

It will take some getting used to but the more you practice the faster it will be for your brain to recall the words you are trying to speak. Because your brain will already know how to process what the word should sound like and how it sounds when you speak it aloud.

This also works best for those that have an accompanying audio file to also follow the native speaker while reading the story aloud. You want to try and mimic the way a native speaker would read the story.

If you have no audio with it, try your best to mimic intonation from watching the way they speak in Japanese dramas or movies from everyday situations.

Most of you will want to stick with the reading practice sections of your textbooks if you are studying from one or just simply do search on the internet.

There are countless websites available that provide reading material based on the JLPT levels.

We learn languages like how we learn our own native language by listening, mimicking, reading and writing the same material over and over again.

One more technique that helps with your speaking ability is to simply speak in Japanese aloud as much as you can without using your native language.　You need to develop your speaking skills and what better way is there then speaking aloud while also trying to think in Japanese?

Try it out; I hope it helps you feel more comfortable hearing yourself speak in another language.

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Tags: how to improve speaking skills, Japanese, practice, reading, speaking

To Use Romaji, Or Not To Use Romaji? That Is The Question.

I have been going to a lot of forums and groups lately and I find that many users seem to be afraid of studying the kana tables plus kanji.

After speaking with some users from some of these groups, they tell me it’s easier for them to type and to read in romaji. While others say, they do not have any time to study the kana tables and how they couldn’t be bothered with learning kanji characters because it’s too hard.

I admit, I use romaji when I don’t feel like typing in Japanese or when I’m on a PC that cannot type or display Japanese characters.  Which, of course is understandable if you are from a country where your computer cannot display Asian characters.

I have always encouraged others to start with the basics of a language you want to learn. Reading and writing is as basic as it comes.

Now, with that being said, if you feel really uncomfortable taking the step to learn hiragana and katakana, then stick with romaji until you are more familiar with the sound of Japanese. But keep in mind, the longer that you put off learning hiragana and katakana, it could hurt your studies in the end.

Sure, being able to read Japanese in romaji is great, but what if you do not understand the context being spoken about, you could even get some of the words confused because they sound and look similar to another word.

That’s where kanji really shines.

Kanji is a great way to show us the difference between one word and another by simply seeing the kanji character they have used in the word. So, there is no longer any confusion.

With a great foundation of hiragana, katakana and even some basic kanji, one will be able to read Japanese textbooks that are used in Japanese courses with ease.

I have noticed that there are a lot of people that can type in romaji but when you show them the kanji version of the word, they usually cannot recognize it.

If you need to stick to writing in romaji, I would recommend that you try and remember what the word looks like in native Japanese before you type it in romaji.

Learning a language is hard, but skipping out on learning the basics could hurt your progress.

Also, since there is no official way to write words in romaji people can get confused if they see the romaji written differently.

Example:

Renshuu shimashou.  Let’s practice.

Renshyuu shimashiou. Let’s practice.

As you can see from the above example, they both mean the same thing but they are spelled differently.

Even native Japanese speakers can get confused while chatting in romaji.

This is why I think that everyone at one point or another in their studies, should take the time to learn hiragana and katakana in the least.

And because there are thousands of kanji characters to study, learn kanji as you encounter them in daily situations, textbooks etc, rather then just cramming as much as you can in a short period of time.

Over years of study, you will find that Japanese will become easier and easier once you know how to read.

And of course, it will be even better if you know how to hand-write everything you have learned.

I feel that romaji is a band-aide when it comes to Japanese studies. While it is easy for anyone that can read the English-language to learn Japanese through romaji, I feel you are not getting the best that the Japanese language has to offer.

Having a strong foundation of the basics will help guide you through the journey of becoming fluent.

See you all next Friday!

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Tags: basics, Japanese, learning, romaji, romanji

Free Talk Entry 3 – Kimi Taking The N5 Exam

Okay, so this year after much debate, I have finally decided to take all the JLPT levels from the very beginning.

So, I have signed up for the N5 (Basic level) exam. Since I have started over with my studies and have never taken this test before; I thought “why not also start from the beginning with the exams as well?”

I also have a sort of “anxiety” when it comes to tests ever since high school. I just want to make sure that I know my stuff rather than making a guess to my answers.

I never taken an exam that lasts more than 2 hours before and that in itself seems a little intimidating.

I have high hopes that once I complete the N5 test, I will have some experience that will make me not as nervous when I plan to take the N4 test next year in December 2012.

I admit, these days I have had barely anytime to study Japanese. But I feel good knowing that from this point until December 4^th, the only thing I would have to focus on is the review for the material that may appear on the N5 exam.

I’m still a little nervous but once I get a chance to review more of the kanji-based vocabulary that may appear on the exam, I may feel a little more prepared.

I will keep you all up-to-date with my progress. And of course, I will share the results of my test and my experience once the test is done in December. I look very forward to this mini-milestone in my Japanese studies.

Let us know how you are doing in your studies, or visit us on Facebook today!

See you all next week!

Tags: free talk, JLPT, N5, review

Effective Study Tips for the JLPT Exam

The last 5 weeks, we broke down each JLPT level to give you an idea of where you should be in your studies.

Now that you have decided what level you are going to take for your exam; let’s review some basic study strategies to get you better prepared.

If you have not already started the review process as of yet, it would be best to start as soon as you can. You want to give yourself enough time to review all the material that could be on the exam. This means focusing more attention on the reviewing process while not learning a lot of new material as you don’t want to be cramming for the exam. Cramming in most cases,  is only good for short-term memory but not good for long-term memorization which is not a good habit to have when learning another language.

Gather all your notes and material you have collected for the review. Organize your notes and start to read it over; once in your head and once out loud if you have the chance. This will help with memory retention.

Another comment about  memory retention; if you need to review vocabulary and kanji compounds, use a Spaced Repetition System (SRS) such as Anki;  to make electronic flashcards that will automatically display the material that you need to review for each day.

Find out more about Anki at the following link:

http://ankisrs.net/

Some of you may be lucky enough to have access to the JLPT examination guides from the previous years. You can examine what vocabulary was on the previous exams, as well as take a practice exam to give you a better understanding of how you would perform. This way, you have a sense of your weaknesses at an early stage and can improve upon them before you take the actual exam in December.

Here is a simple method to review:

Study the material, test yourself, discover what areas need improvement, study the material again until it becomes familiar and then test yourself over again. Keep repeating this process until you can get the answers perfect.

Another way that you can review, is if you are learning from a textbook, do all of the exercises once again from every chapter. This is especially effective if you have an answer key to the questions from the textbook to ensure accuracy of the answers. (Some textbooks have the answer keys in the last pages of the textbook itself.)

The review process should not take too long, as you should already be familiar with most of the material at this point.  Review as long as you like in the time before the exam, just keep in mind it’s best to take a break for 15 minutes for every hour of review time to keep you fresh and alert during your studies.

It’s good to keep consistent by studying for the same amount each day before the exam. I have mentioned this before and still feel strongly, that even 15 minutes a day is better than 2 hours a week with a long gap in-between with no studies. If you are consistent with your studies, you will find it easier to remember the material.

And last, it may seem minor but ensuring that you eat a healthy-balanced diet; drink plenty of water and getting at least 6 hours of sleep each day, can definitely help you stay focused on your review and it will keep you energized during your exam.

What are you doing to prepare yourself for the exam? Have any tips or strategies to share with fellow Japanese learners? Submit your comments; we would love to hear from you.

日本語を勉強するのは頑張って下さい！また来週！
(Nihongo wo benkyou suru nowa ganbatte kudasai!　Mata raishuu!)

(Good luck with your Japanese studies! See you next week!)

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Tags: how to prepare for the JLPT, how to study, Japanese, Japanese Language Proficiency Test, JLPT, Study, 日本語, 日本語能力試験

A Breakdown of N1 (Advanced – Native Level)

Here is what you need to know about the N1 (Advanced – Native Level):

By now, if you are preparing yourself for the N1 exam, you should be able to speak Japanese like a native speaker. So congrats for getting yourself this far!

Here are the times for each section for the N1 exam:

Vocabulary/Grammar/Reading (combined):  110 min
Listening:  60 min
Total test time:  170 min

The level N1 exam is for those who have the ability to understand Japanese used in every day situations. Furthermore, they are quite close to being able to speak Japanese just like a native speaker.

One is able to read materials written on a variety of topics, from almost any written material whether it be daily conversation topics, the news, history, science, politics etc. They can fully comprehend all written materials presented to them as well as reiterate what was read into their own opinions and thoughts.

Kanji Knowledge: 2,000 or more Kanji Characters (All current Jouyou Kanji)

Here is a link for all the current Jyouyou Kanji (常用漢字), please note this site is completely in Japanese:

http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E5%B8%B8%E7%94%A8%E6%BC%A2%E5%AD%97%E4%B8%80%E8%A6%A7

Knowledge: Approx. 10,000 words
(Includes nouns, verbs and some adjectives)
1000+  hours or more of accumulative study time at an advanced level course.

Please visit the following links to review the vocabulary, kanji and grammar that may appear on the JLPT N1 exam:

http://www.tanos.co.uk/jlpt/jlpt1/

http://nihongonobenkyou.wordpress.com/

http://www.learnjapanese.com/jlpt-n1-n2/

http://www.mlcjapanese.co.jp/MLC_JLPT_Page.htm

Join us next week when we discuss study strategies for the JLPT exam!

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop us a line here or on our Facebook page. Visit our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/tjlpodcast to get updates as well as your word-a-day with example sentences today.

Tags: Japanese, Japanese Proficiency Test, N1, Study, 日本語, 日本語能力試験

A Breakdown of N2 (Lower-Advanced)

Here is what you need to know about the N2 (Lower-Advanced):

The N2 level of the JLPT exam; is the minimum level that is required in order for one to live and work in Japan. When one acquires this level, it is easy for them to survive in Japanese society.

Here are the times for each section for the N2 exam:

Vocabulary/Grammar/Reading (combined):  105 min
Listening:  50 min
Total test time:  155 min

The level N2 exam is for those who have the ability to understand Japanese used in every day situations and less common topics, such as politics and history.

One is able to read materials written clearly on a variety of topics, such as articles and commentaries in newspapers and magazines. One is also able to read written materials on generalized topics as well as understand the intent of the writer’s ideas and expressions.

One is able to comprehend orally presented materials such as conversations, news reports, and television shows that are spoken at a nearly natural speed. One is also able to understand the relationships among the people involved and the essential points of the presented materials when heard.

Kanji Knowledge: 1,000 Kanji Characters
Vocabulary Knowledge: Approx. 6,000 words
(Includes nouns, verbs and some adjectives)
1000+  hours or more of accumulative study time at an advanced level course.

Please visit the following links to review the vocabulary, kanji and grammar that may appear on the JLPT N2 exam:

http://www.jlptstudy.com/N2/index.html

http://www.tanos.co.uk/jlpt/jlpt2/

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop us a line here or on our Facebook page. Visit our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/tjlpodcast to get updates as well as your word-a-day with example sentences today.

See you all next week for what you need to know for N1, native level!

Tags: Japan, Japanese, Japanese Language Proficiency Test, JLPT, N2, Study

A Breakdown of N3 (Intermediate)‏

Here is what you need to know about the N3 (Intermediate):

This level is a little tricky to assess as it is a new level that was made for the JLPT exam after 2010. This level is between the old 3kyuu and the old 2kyuu level.

For more info on the JLPT exam before 2010, please refer to this link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_Language_Proficiency_Test

To play it safe, it is best to prepare yourself by studying both N3 vocabulary and some of the old 2kyuu vocabulary; to ensure that you know enough to adequately pass this level’s exam.

Here are the times for each section for the N3 exam:

Vocabulary: 30 mins
Grammar/Reading: 70 mins
Listening: 40 mins
Total test time: 140 mins

The level N3 exam is for those who have the ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations and a variety of non-everyday circumstances to a certain degree. They can understand Japanese at a near native speed when spoken to. One can understand written material when the topic is from an everyday situation. In addition, one is able to read slightly more difficult topics in everyday situations and can understand the main points of the content if presented with an alternate phrase to aid in one’s understanding.

Kanji Knowledge: 650 Kanji Characters
Vocabulary Knowledge: Approx. 3,700 words
(Includes nouns, verbs and some adjectives)
At least 800+  hours of accumulative study time at an intermediate level course.

Please visit the following links to review the vocabulary, kanji and grammar that may appear on the JLPT N3 exam:

http://www.jlptstudy.com/N3/
http://www.tanos.co.uk/jlpt/jlpt3/grammar/

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop us a line here or on our Facebook page. Visit our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/tjlpodcast to get updates as well as your word-a-day with example sentences today.

See you all next week for what you need to know for N2!

Tags: exam, Intermediate, Japan, Japanese, Japanese Language Proficiency Test, JLPT, N3

A Breakdown of N4 (Lower-Intermediate)

Here is what you need to know about the N4 (Lower-Intermediate)

 
Here are the times for each section for the N4 exam:

Vocabulary 30 mins

Grammar/Reading 60 mins

Listening 35 mins

Total test time: 125 mins

The level N4 exam is for those to have the ability to understand basic Japanese and daily conversation. One who takes this level is expected to know how to read Hiragana and Katakana, as well as some basic kanji. Their knowledge of grammar is limited to conversations relating to daily life, class room situations, every day scenarios like shopping, going to the bank, etc. They can pick up information from simple every day conversations if the speaker uses common expressions and grammar.

Kanji Knowledge: 180 basic Kanji Characters
Vocabulary Knowledge: Approx. 680 words (Includes nouns, verbs and some adjectives)
At least 350- 500  hours of accumulative study time at a lower-intermediate level course.

Please visit the following link to review the vocabulary, kanji and grammar that may appear on the JLPT N4 exam.

http://www.jlptstudy.com/N4/

I hope that you have been finding these little descriptions for the levels to be helpful so far. This should help you determine approximately what level you should be taking when exam time comes around in December.

If you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop us a line here or on our Facebook page.

Visit our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/tjlpodcast to get updates as well as your word-a-day with example sentences today.

See you all next week and good luck on your studies!

Tags: exam, Japan, Japanese, Japanese Proficiency Test, JLPT, N4, Study, test

A Breakdown of N5 (Beginner)

The JLPT exam is divided into sections. First they test your knowledge of vocabulary, then they test your reading ability and grammar. And lastly, they test your listening comprehension.

Here are the times for each section for the N5 exam:

Vocabulary 25 mins

Grammar/Reading 50 mins

Listening 30 mins

Total test time: 105 mins

The level N5 exam is for those to have the ability to understand some very basic Japanese. One who takes this level is expected to know how to read Hiragana and Katakana. And some very basic kanji. Their knowledge of grammar is limited to conversations relating to daily life, and class room situations. They can pick up very basic information from simple short sentences, and can comprehend very basic conversations from short conversations if spoken slowly.

Kanji Knowledge: 103 basic Kanji Characters
Vocabulary Knowledge: Approx. 725 words (Includes nouns, verbs and some adjectives)
At least 150 hours of accumulative study time at a beginners level course.

Please visit the following link to review the vocabulary, kanji and grammar that may appear on the JLPT N5 exam.  I found this site to be very useful.

http://www.jlptstudy.com/N5/index.html

Next week, we will give a breakdown of the N4 level; Lower-Intermediate.

Please send us some comments about how your studies are going, or visit us on our Facebook page for daily the “word-of-the-day” plus example sentences.

Together we will get to our goals of becoming fluent!

日本語の勉強は頑張って下さい！「Good luck with your Japanese studies!」

Tags: Japanese, JLPT, N5 study

What to Know For the JLPT (2011)

This week, we talk about what to expect when you register for the JLPT.

When choosing a test site to take the exam, choose wisely, as once you have registered for a particular exam site, it cannot be changed for any reason.

The same goes for the level you choose as well. Please ensure you are choosing the right level for your exam. If you have never taken the exam before and want to know get a sense of how it works, then choose a lower level that is most comfortable for you.

There is a non-refundable registration fee to process your application before you can get your Test Voucher. In most countries, the fee can be around $70 USD. (This fee is technically refundable if a natural disaster and/or a transportation strike occurs preventing you from going to the test site. As you can imagine this is rare, so don’t count on getting your money back.)

Here is the complete process:

1)      Application Period Begins (Usually from end of August to early October)

2)      All examines will get their Test Voucher by mail (or in person if you are in Japan)

3)      Test starts on December 4, 2011. Contact your local institution where you got the application form for more details on orientation times etc.

4)      On Test Day, you are only allowed to bring your Test Voucher, writing utensils only limited to No.2 or HB pencils (no pens etc.), and at least two pieces of official government issued identification like a passport or driver’s license.

5)      You have to get a passing grade in each section of the test to receive a certificate of completion that is mailed to your household. This year’s examines should receive them by end of March 2012.

6)      Once you get your certificate in the mail, you are now officially certified in that level of Japanese. If you intend to live and work in Japan, most companies prefer if you have passed either N2 or N1 (Native level.)

For a complete in-depth look into the JLPT exam and application process, please visit this link: http://buna.yorku.ca/jlpt/guideline2011.pdf

Please avoid the following to ensure you will not be disqualified on Test Day:

• Turn off all cell phone sounds and even avoid digital wrist watches that may go off during the test, or they will ask you to leave.
• Do not talk about what is on the test during the test, during breaks or even after the test. You cannot post anything about the contents of the test on the internet.
• Do not bring any Japanese study material with you.
• Only use a No.2 pencil or a HB pencil. Do not write anything in pen.
• Zero-tolerance for cheating.
• No talking during the test.

This is all pretty straight forward, especially if you remember taking tests and exams in High School or University.

Over the next 5 weeks, we will cover each level and look at what knowledge is expected for you to know in order to pass.

Next week, we talk about N5 (Very Basic – Beginner level)

又来週！(See you next week!)

Tags: Japanese, JLPT, JLPT 2011, learning, register JLPT, Study