The Japanese Language Proficiency Test

[Henry Wilson]

I had trouble typing in the word "Proficiency" so I might need to master English first however, here is an interesting link that will help all us non-Japanese master 日本語.

 

http://www.jlpt.biz/

 

You need to register. The Rikiachan translator that is a Fire Fox add-on is very useful.

 

頑張って

[Brian]

Thanks Henry, looks like a wealth of resources there.

 

Brian

[Henry Wilson]

Here are a few more language learning sites. I have not looked much at them and any comments would be nice.

 

http://www.iknow.co.jp/courses

 

http://www.japanesepod101.com/

[kusunokimasahige]

Well the japanesepod is a very good site for learning Kaiwa(conversation!!)

 

The first site i havent really looked into but looks very promising indeed since there is furigana with the kanji.

 

bookmark them!

 

KM

[Bugyotsuji]

The first one of the two above (iknow) seems to be designed mainly for Japanese people to learn other languages.

 

After years and years of learning Japanese I would say that you need to attack from every angle that presents itself. Linear people can work linearly, but some of us are not so disciplined. Drop anything that doesn't feel right, IMHO. Try and collect stuff that absorbs you. If you need artificial targets to motivate you, go for something like Heny's Japanese Proficiency Test above and take it year after year, level by level. Short sharp bursts of concentrated study beforehand are also good for the pot.

 

In the past I spent some time learning Jukugo (compound words) from a 1,000 word list in a little handbook. Night after night, I would learn 10 at a time before going to sleep, until after about 500 I found that I was starting to be able to read newspapers. There was also an early Kanji electronic dictionary with a word test function that I used over and over until I was getting 100% on the easier tests and could recognize different readings in different Kanji combinations. In the end I was attacking the most difficult level. I now carry a newer electronic dictionary at all times. It gives me so much information at the touch of a button, and whenever I see an interesting Kanji I look it up and read about it, as for example while invigilating a university exam yesterday. (The meanings of the Kanji for Tsuba)

 

Living in Japan helps, but not everyone benefits from the chance. Tokyo positively discourages non-Japanese from learning the language, in my experience. Japanese will want to practice their English on you, and will give you little or no chance to use your Japanese!!!