Comments on: Japanese Language Proficiency Test http://www.1nichi1kai.com/2007/11/29/japanese-language-proficiency-test/ Exploring fun Japanese and following the antics of Makoto Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:21:09 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Clay http://www.1nichi1kai.com/2007/11/29/japanese-language-proficiency-test/#comment-414 Clay Mon, 03 Dec 2007 23:46:42 +0000 http://www.1nichi1kai.com/?p=423#comment-414 The most important thing is to keep up enthusiasm. I think that is the best thing about RTK; it gives the learner the confidence learning kanji can be done--and it can! The most important thing is to keep up enthusiasm. I think that is the best thing about RTK; it gives the learner the confidence learning kanji can be done–and it can!

]]> By: Darsel http://www.1nichi1kai.com/2007/11/29/japanese-language-proficiency-test/#comment-413 Darsel Mon, 03 Dec 2007 06:54:10 +0000 http://www.1nichi1kai.com/?p=423#comment-413 Well, I'm familiarized with 100 - 200 kanji, I guess it's worth it to give RTK a try and see how much good it can do for me... Well, I’m familiarized with 100 - 200 kanji, I guess it’s worth it to give RTK a try and see how much good it can do for me…

]]> By: Clay http://www.1nichi1kai.com/2007/11/29/japanese-language-proficiency-test/#comment-412 Clay Sun, 02 Dec 2007 11:13:08 +0000 http://www.1nichi1kai.com/?p=423#comment-412 RTK is pretty controversial. It seems like most teachers and advanced students dislike it a lot. I personally think it can be a great way to become familiar with a few hundred kanji, but the artificial meanings can be a hindrance especially with advanced kanji. The beginning kanji tend to be more concrete and thus great for the Heisig method, but the more advanced kanji tend to be more abstract. It may be a good way to get your 'foot in the door' but it would be far greater in the long run to memorize words and by doing so, you learn the kanji meaning, pronunciations and useful vocabulary. Here is a discussion on the pros and cons http://thejapanesepage.com/forum/viewthread.php?forum_id=15&thread_id=9609 The last thing I want to do is discourage you from using RTK IF that encourages you to study. I went through it a few years ago and was very excited about how it could help beginners. (I already knew most of the kanji then, though) But I really think the advanced kanji should be learned in context instead of given an abstract 'meaning.' RTK is pretty controversial. It seems like most teachers and advanced students dislike it a lot.

I personally think it can be a great way to become familiar with a few hundred kanji, but the artificial meanings can be a hindrance especially with advanced kanji. The beginning kanji tend to be more concrete and thus great for the Heisig method, but the more advanced kanji tend to be more abstract.

It may be a good way to get your ‘foot in the door’ but it would be far greater in the long run to memorize words and by doing so, you learn the kanji meaning, pronunciations and useful vocabulary.

Here is a discussion on the pros and cons
http://thejapanesepage.com/forum/viewthread.php?forum_id=15&thread_id=9609

The last thing I want to do is discourage you from using RTK IF that encourages you to study. I went through it a few years ago and was very excited about how it could help beginners. (I already knew most of the kanji then, though) But I really think the advanced kanji should be learned in context instead of given an abstract ‘meaning.’

]]> By: Brad http://www.1nichi1kai.com/2007/11/29/japanese-language-proficiency-test/#comment-411 Brad Sun, 02 Dec 2007 05:15:02 +0000 http://www.1nichi1kai.com/?p=423#comment-411 Remembering the Kanji is GREAT! I bought it last month and am VERY impressed with it!!! 2000 kanji by this time next year for sure! Remembering the Kanji is GREAT! I bought it last month and am VERY impressed with it!!! 2000 kanji by this time next year for sure!

]]> By: Darsel http://www.1nichi1kai.com/2007/11/29/japanese-language-proficiency-test/#comment-410 Darsel Sun, 02 Dec 2007 04:48:12 +0000 http://www.1nichi1kai.com/?p=423#comment-410 Thanks for the advice! :) I'm going to start reading "Remembering the Kanji" this week, I also have to keep on using Anki and the DS Kanji Games. Kanji Gym Light is around my hard disk somewhere, and I'm also giving the Japanese Learning Suite a ride! ;) Thanks for the advice! :)
I’m going to start reading “Remembering the Kanji” this week, I also have to keep on using Anki and the DS Kanji Games. Kanji Gym Light is around my hard disk somewhere, and I’m also giving the Japanese Learning Suite a ride! ;)

]]> By: Clay http://www.1nichi1kai.com/2007/11/29/japanese-language-proficiency-test/#comment-409 Clay Sun, 02 Dec 2007 00:55:01 +0000 http://www.1nichi1kai.com/?p=423#comment-409 Don't put it off! Start studying now. I think most people don't start until the Summer before the test. :) For me, the grammar section was the hardest. Of course if you haven't studied kanji much, that should be a focal point too. Don’t put it off! Start studying now. I think most people don’t start until the Summer before the test. :)
For me, the grammar section was the hardest. Of course if you haven’t studied kanji much, that should be a focal point too.

]]> By: Darsel http://www.1nichi1kai.com/2007/11/29/japanese-language-proficiency-test/#comment-408 Darsel Sat, 01 Dec 2007 03:09:30 +0000 http://www.1nichi1kai.com/?p=423#comment-408 You're right Clay, I should be aiming to the 3kyuu next year! Having a full year to study (and hopefully going to Japan sometime next year) should make it way easier! :) You’re right Clay, I should be aiming to the 3kyuu next year!
Having a full year to study (and hopefully going to Japan sometime next year) should make it way easier! :)

]]> By: Clay http://www.1nichi1kai.com/2007/11/29/japanese-language-proficiency-test/#comment-407 Clay Fri, 30 Nov 2007 17:59:45 +0000 http://www.1nichi1kai.com/?p=423#comment-407 I haven't taken the test since 2000, but thumbing through last years tests (both 1,2 and 3,4 books), I don't see questions on the stroke order or stroke number. Maybe someone who has taken the JLPT recently can chime in. The kanken (kanji test) does, though. I haven’t taken the test since 2000, but thumbing through last years tests (both 1,2 and 3,4 books), I don’t see questions on the stroke order or stroke number.

Maybe someone who has taken the JLPT recently can chime in.

The kanken (kanji test) does, though.

]]> By: Brad http://www.1nichi1kai.com/2007/11/29/japanese-language-proficiency-test/#comment-406 Brad Fri, 30 Nov 2007 14:45:45 +0000 http://www.1nichi1kai.com/?p=423#comment-406 I've never taken it but someone told me there are kanji stroke order questions. Did I hear wrong? I’ve never taken it but someone told me there are kanji stroke order questions. Did I hear wrong?

]]> By: Clay http://www.1nichi1kai.com/2007/11/29/japanese-language-proficiency-test/#comment-405 Clay Fri, 30 Nov 2007 12:36:25 +0000 http://www.1nichi1kai.com/?p=423#comment-405 You only get one chance to do this, Mark, so milk it for what it's worth--If someone asks you what level you are taking say: "san kyuu very much!" ->Darsel-- this will give you a chance to start studying for 3kyuu next year! Ganbatte Mario! >>after passing 2kyuu, 1kyuu is not so hard. I guess the main difference is you are simply learning more of the same. After 3 kyuu or so, you've got the basic mechanics of the language down and only need to learn more grammatical patterns and kanji. You only get one chance to do this, Mark, so milk it for what it’s worth–If someone asks you what level you are taking say: “san kyuu very much!”

->Darsel– this will give you a chance to start studying for 3kyuu next year!

Ganbatte Mario!
>>after passing 2kyuu, 1kyuu is not so hard.
I guess the main difference is you are simply learning more of the same. After 3 kyuu or so, you’ve got the basic mechanics of the language down and only need to learn more grammatical patterns and kanji.

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