Hello everyone! I realize there are plenty of posts on here already about the CIR application process and such, but I want to get some advice on my plans. I would appreciate any and all help, so thank you kindly in advance. I also do not use reddit
I am currently studying abroad in Tokyo, and will have studied here for 4 and a half months by the time I return to the United States. I am living with a host family, half of my coursework is Japanese language classes, and I have two language exchange partners who I meet with once every two weeks. I will take the N2 at the start of July to assess my current level and find my weaknesses to curate my studies toward the N2 again this December. Also, I passed the N3 last December without much studying at that time.
My plans for studying this Fall and preparing for both the interview and N2:
1. Continue taking my college Japanese classes (twice a week)
1. Also go to office hours more often to practice speaking (once a week)
2. Use N3 and N2 Test preparation books (daily)
1. I want to well review the N3 and build a daily habit, so I will do the N3 books at first. If the N3 books prove super easy, I will either speed up my pace using them or switch to the N2
2. Maybe also use a business Japanese language book
3. Find language partners or teachers online to communicate with (weekly, maybe a little more often)
1. (EDIT) Probably seek out business Japanese lessons and mock interview practice
4. Continue using Wanikani for kanji study (daily)
5. Miscellaneous Study (whenever)
1. Listening to J-Pop (EDIT: I actually went to go see 水曜日のカンパネラ’s concert in Nagoya!!)
2. Reading some Japanese novels for fun like Mori Ogai, etc
3. Playing video games in Japanese probably
Even if I do not pass the N2, I think this study will be enough to prepare for the interview to make sure I am around the level they require. Please let me know if you have any suggestions, it would mean a lot. Thanks!
EDIT: Reread wiki and realized I forgot to mention that I am applying from the United States in the title, apologies.
3 comments
I think it’s great that you’re practicing speaking, since the Japanese portion of the interview does require speaking with a native Japanese speaker who’s one of the interviewers. My personal experience with the reading test during the Japanese portion was to read an N3-level passage that had a fair amount of furigana, so doing some timed N2 reading practice can definitely benefit you. I came on JET between N3 and N2 levels and didn’t have as rigorous of a study plan as you when prepping for N2 so it really sounds like you’re on track! If you’re planning to apply, just make sure you have a solid statement of purpose for why you’d want to work as a CIR and what skills you can bring to the job. Good luck!
I’m an ALT, but I’m taking the N1 in a couple of weeks and I know CIRs, so take me with a grain of salt because I only half know what I’m talking about?
From talking to CIRs in my prefecture, it seems like there are quite a wide variety in job duties. I know someone whose main job duties are doing kindergarten English lessons, elementary school cultural lessons, and miscellaneous translations. I know someone else whose main job was traveling the prefecture and creating English language tourism materials. I know someone else who was heavily involved in the process for her city to get fair trade certified and went on business trips abroad to translate for her bosses at international conferences.
So depending on your placement, the level of Japanese you’ll need to do your job can vary widely.
From a general study pov, I think your plan looks pretty good. I would add in some more business Japanese though, especially when you get to comfortable with N2 level stuff (I’m of the opinion that you should first learn how to express yourself fluently in normal Japanese, then learn business Japanese). Not even the N1 will really prepare you for business Japanese, so you’ll want to use additional resources. From what I’ve heard, I don’t think the interview requires too much business Japanese, but it’s something you could easily need on the job for formal interpretation settings or even for just answering the phone.
I’d also recommend reading the newspaper in Japanese. It’ll expose you to types of prose and vocabulary you won’t find in books, and honestly the JLPT articles often read more like newspaper editorials than novels. It’ll also expand your vocabulary into fields like politics, economics, business, etc. Which could be useful in your job as a CIR (or you know, could not lol)
I’m a current CIR so thought I’d give my thoughts on the situation! I think your study plans overall look really solid and its great that you have experience studying in Japan! I think that if you’re concerned about passing the interview test focusing on reading abilities and ability to answer questions fluently in formal Japanese is the most important. Wanikani is a really great resource so I encourage you to keep it up! I also recommend learnnatively to keep track of your reading in Japanese and as a way to find new reading material in Japanese (they use a ranking system based on user reviews so you can estimate whether something is a good level for you).
That being said, the Japanese portion of the interview is a very small portion of what they’re looking for in a CIR. Make sure that you cultivate interests not related to Japan. They are looking for someone that can introduce their home country to the local community – not just do interpretation and translation. This is my theory, but I think a lot of people qualified in terms of language don’t end up getting shortlisted because they focus too much on their interest in Japan and don’t make a case for how they will create opportunities for exchange!
Good luck and if you have any questions about CIR life / the application please feel free to reach out! 🙂