Just like the title suggested, I am “hoping” to take the JLPT N4 exam in December. With less than 5 months remaining, I am completely lost with listening. Ive started to listen to some easier podcast, but even then, the speaker has to speak super slow and I have to listen about 2 – 3 times in order for me to understand. Any advice/ suggestions will be greatly appreciated 🙂 Thanks
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I too am planning to take the N4 in December, and have been finding the following resources useful:
The first resource is Nihongo Con Teppei, a podcast where a Japanese man uses relatively simple Jpanaese to talk about everyday topics. The first couple of episodes are very easy, but they get way harder.
Japan test 4 you has heaps of listening exercises in a similar format to the test.
Finally, I’d recommend doing practice exams.
Nihongo con teppei: [https://open.spotify.com/show/4W4jYoKRmjlURKO1fIfcOK?si=xmIR128GTcOSwX_8QzLSag&utm_source=copy-link](https://open.spotify.com/show/4W4jYoKRmjlURKO1fIfcOK?si=xmIR128GTcOSwX_8QzLSag&utm_source=copy-link)
Japan test 4 you: [https://japanesetest4you.com/category/jlpt-n4/jlpt-n4-listening-test/](https://japanesetest4you.com/category/jlpt-n4/jlpt-n4-listening-test/)
Practice: [https://www.jlpt.jp/e/samples/sampleindex.html](https://www.jlpt.jp/e/samples/sampleindex.html)
I’d concentrate on task-based listening first, or some sort of visual media without subtitles.
I wish I knew the answer to this as well.
I’ve been listening to podcasts for years and can effortlessly understand most of Noriko’s podcast even without paying attention, but I still struggle with the listening sections on the practice JLPT tests. It’s a very different type of challenge from regular listening.
Try to watch dramas on Netflix using English/Japanese subtitles. =)