Hey everyone, so I’m intending to study abroad in Japan in about 1 – 2 years and to take classes in Japanese I must have a JLPT N1 certificate. I know it’s unrealistic to achieve an N1 level within the time frame provided but I still want to try my best.
I just wanted to ask, what would be the best way to just start studying Japanese if I have the goal of passing the JLPT N1 test as quickly as possible in mind? I did some research and immersion seems to be the key, but I don’t understand how that could help unless I’ve built up a decent foundation at least? Would approaching the language like any other beginner be time efficient? Thanks.
6 comments
You can start by learning like 15 new words a day starting today for the next 700 days and bother with the rest as you go.
I recommend getting an unofficial vocab deck on anki and working through the levels n5 – n1.what helped me was studying the kanjis seperately with the heisig method together with the decks (like 20 kanjis a day you’ll be done with all relevant ones in like 4 months)
I’m pretty sure someone will go through in detail, but the here’s the gist: drop anything and everything not essential for N1 if you’re going to speedrun. Quite literally, only do the things tested on JLPT.
Probably not the best plan if taking classes in Japanese is going to follow right after speedrunning N1, but judging from what I read here, your timeframe usually allows this kind of extremely specialized approach.
To get some specific advice, I suggest disclosing how much time you can dedicate for speedrunning N1, and what language(s) you can speak. These two info are crucial in estimating if it’s even possible, and all that.
This is just *my* recommendation and it’s not a hardcore rule. I based this estimate on unofficial JLPT study hours. N1 = ~4800 hours, divided by 365 days over the course of 4 years = ~3 hours daily.
“Study” can also include listening to level appropriate podcasts, reading, meeting up with Japanese friends and whatever else makes study enjoyable to you.
Genki (and other textbook) Study Plan:
Two or three 45-60 minute study sessions a daily. Example: Chunk A – vocab, kanji and dialogue; Chunk B – textbook; Chunk C – workbook.
Before studying the chapter, get the vocabulary and kanji (if any) down. Genki marks the vocabulary used in the dialogue, so it’s easy to prepare for.
Try reading the dialogue WITHOUT looking at the English translation. Try to guess the meaning from the pictures and the dialogue prompts. Check to see how you did.
Chunk A: Everyday practice vocabulary, kanji (if any) and dialogue, shadow the audio, review the previous day’s work… you can preview the exercises you’ll be doing so you can brush up on the vocab you’ll need.
Chunk B: Everyday work in one grammar point. Do the associated exercises in the textbook. If it’s a speaking exercises, do both parts.
Chunk C: Do the workbook exercises sometime later.
Don’t forget to do the reading and writing in the back of the textbook. You can get your writing checked on an app like HelloTalk. Do corrections and resubmit. Move on to the next chapter and repeat.
You can add and subtract chucks or mix things up depending on your preference and life factors. You can combine low effort and high effort study in a day or study session, or break up the hour.
For example: while making and eating breakfast, listen to a podcast (30 minutes), watch a YouTube video for grammar during lunch (30 minutes). During your commute (60 minutes) do Pimsleur. Read manga for 20 minutes a day, do the workbook for 20 minutes and meet with a tutor for 30 minutes.
If you’re studying in Japan, so long as you’re consistently using Japanese outside of class, N1 should be attainable.
I figured I might list some other options down too:
A very common approach is to straight up just come here and enter a language school. However it is not insignificant in cost, for both time and money, so that’s not an option for many people.
Another possibility is to enrol in a uni here like Uni of Tsukuba in a program that is taught in English. U of Tsukuba is probably the most diverse campus in the country.
Look at the wiki here to get started.
Given your full-time engineering studies, daily hours available, and no hanzi background, this is a serious challenge.
The JLPT exam does not really test output (writing and speaking). So you should concentrate on what the exam tests.
For reference, 18-24 month full-time language schools in Tokyo aim to get Chinese & Korean nationals prepared to enter Japanese University or Trade school. The general “goal” is above N2 level (with writing and speaking at a similar level).
Anki might be a good tool for reviewing vocabulary and keeping you on track.
You will see a few JLPT review book series (e.g. Try, Shin Kanzen, So-Matome). A lot of people here prefer to learn new grammar via a textbook or other system designed for LEARNING. The use the JLPT books for REVIEW. Your case is special so I don’t know the best method.
I wouldn’t go out and buy a bazillion textbooks etc. Maybe try to get yourself to N4 level ASAP and reassess from there. Another option is to try taking a semester off or just focusing on Japanese for the summer rather than school or work (if possible). Good luck.
There was some youtube video of some guy who got 100% on N1.
He had really good study habits, but more than that, he had good “strategy” for tests.
Dude made a spreadsheet which told him exactly what was on every single practice test, and used that to strategize what he would study.