Wanikani July JLPT Community Event (aka Joint Mock JLPT on July 4th, home thread)

Japanese Language
#172

Check-in (#5) May 9th

How does it work?

These check-in posts were suggested by @banditraider and will be made bi-weekly (on Sundays). Please answer the questions over the indicated period (so, the past two weeks). Feel free to respond, whether you’re studying more casually, or even if you’re taking the actual JLPT! It might be a nice way to hold yourself accountable, or just see how you’re progressing over time (if you regularly respond). The format and included questions aren’t set in stone at all, so if you have any suggestions, please reply!

Q1: How have you been sticking to your study schedule during the past two weeks? (period 04/25 - 05/09)
  • I have stuck to my schedule 75% - 100% of the time
  • I have stuck to my schedule around 50% of the time
  • I have stuck to my schedule 0% to 25% of the time
  • I do not have a clear schedule, but I have studied Japanese regularly
  • I do not have a clear schedule yet, but I am in the process of making one
  • I have not started studying for the JLPT yet
  • Other (please comment)

0 voters

Q2: Have you made any changes to your study routine (if you have one) or methods during the past two weeks? (period 04/25 - 05/09)
  • No
  • Yes, I have changed my routine so I spend less time on Japanese than I originally intended
  • Yes, I have changed my routine so I spend more time on Japanese than I originally intended
  • Yes, I have cut some methods from my routine
  • Yes, I have discovered new studying methods that I would like to add to my routine (please comment!)
  • Yes, I have decided to switch my focus to a different skill (e.g., listening instead of reading)
  • Yes, but I haven’t changed my routine/methods in any of the ways mentioned above (please comment!)
  • Other (please comment!)

0 voters

Q3: How confident are you for the JLPT, right now?
  • Very confident
  • Fairly confident
  • Neither
  • Not very confident
  • Not confident at all

0 voters

Q4: What is your strength in Japanese, right now?
  • Listening
  • Reading
  • Speaking
  • Vocabulary
  • Kanji
  • Writing
  • Grammar
  • My skills are all at a similar level
  • I don’t know
  • Other (please comment!)

0 voters

Q5: What is your weakness in Japanese, right now?
  • Listening
  • Reading
  • Speaking
  • Vocabulary
  • Kanji
  • Writing
  • Grammar
  • My skills are all at a similar level
  • I don’t know
  • Other (please comment!)

0 voters

All polls close in 2 weeks, just before the next check-in post.

Please leave a comment if you feel a question or answering option is missing/should be changed! Also feel free to leave any other comments you might have!

2 Likes
#173

Some things came up and I didn’t manage to create a new stricter schedule as I had intended :flushed: There’s still time, but I would feel a bit more comfortable knowing I have a plan lol

I also feel a bit overwhelmed with uni etc. at the moment, so I noticed that I tend to burn out on Japanese if I try to spend too much time on it. Therefore I’ll try to come up with an as low-effort schedule as possible. I guess this is the upside of a mock test, it doesn’t feel like I’m wasting a lot of money :thinking:

I hope things have been better for all of you!

6 Likes
#174

Same!
⠀

I’m still reading and doing Anki and watching Netflix and stuff (at least a little), but I’ve put pretty much put everything else on ice for now. I don’t really have the energy for structured studying right now and uni kind of has to come first…

There are some specific weaknesses I have that I might not be able to fix in time because of that (listening?, grammar details??, onomatopoeia and other non-kanji vocab, keigo, …)
Oh well.

I’ll still take the mock test in July, see how it goes, and then maybe try again in December, possibly with more structure that time :laughing: I’m actually kinda interested in seeing in how far I can get without (a lot of) conscious studying, especially on the grammar section. That could honestly go either way :joy:

I also hope things have been better for the rest of you :stuck_out_tongue:

5 Likes
#175

Oh man, it’s been another two weeks already? xD I need to pick up my pace, haha.

3 Likes
#176

Well, I started picking up on new WK lessons and doing some structured listening practices as mentioned last week. As for the rest… :

… or at least this is what I’m telling myself :sweat_smile: But together with the two book clubs I joined here on WK there is some random grammar pattern exposure… and plenty of stuff to look up (if I like it or not).

Apart from that, thanks to the durtles giving feedback about studying with the JLPT stories podcast. Since I’m aiming for N4 for the mock test my plan is to go through 2~3 more of the N5 podcasts and then switch for the N4 series.

And for those who are interested, here is a set of six questions for the second N5 podcast:

がんばりましょう。 :muscle: :four_leaf_clover:

Q1

Japanese: 塾に入るのは、どうしてですか。
English: Why did Yuuma enroll into prep school?
Suggestions answer: Because studying for university entrance exams is difficult.

Because he wants to study more for university entrance exams.
Because studying for university entrance exams is difficult.
Because without going to Juku, university entrance exams will be difficult.
Because he hates studying. (-> Does not study on his own.)

Q2

Japanese: 塾で、何のコースが選びましたか。
English: At prep school, what kind of classe(s) did he choose?
Suggestions answer: revision class

Fundamentals class. (-> English and Maths and others.)
English, Japanese history and Japanese language class.
Revision class.
Basic level class.

Q3

Japanese: 勉強が好きになりましたか。どうしてですか。
English: Did studying become enjoyable for him? Why is it?
Suggestions answer: Yes, because English class became interesting.n

Yes, because of the interesting English class.
Yes, because of him becoming better in Math.
No, because no matter how hard he studies he does not become better in Math.
No, because terrible test results every week.

Q4

Japanese: 大学受験の試験科目は、何を選びましたか。
English: Which subjects did he choose for the entrance exam?
Suggestions answer: English, Japanese language, and Japanese history.

English, Mathe, and Japanese history.
English, Mathe, and Japanese language.
English, Japanese language, and Japanese history.
Math, Japanese language, and Japanese history.

Q5

Japanese: 大学を選ぶとき、何の学部に入りたいですか。
English: When choosing an university, which department does he want to enroll with?
Suggestions answer: he is still undecided

Literature
Sports
History
he is still undecided

Q6

Japanese: 大学を卒業したら、何になりたいですか。
English: What does he want to become after graduating from university?
Suggestions answer: He always wanted to become a professional swimmer but he doesn’t know.

He always wanted to become a professional swimmer but now he wants to become a You-tuber.
He always wanted to become a professional swimmer but he doesn’t know.
He says he wants to become a You-tuber but actually he doesn’t know.
He says he wants to become a You-tuber but actually he wanted to become a professional swimmer since he was a kid.

And here is a set of six questions for the third N5 podcast :slight_smile:

Q1

Japanese: 「学校給食」というのは、何ですか。
English: What is 「学校給食」(gakkô kyûshoku)?
Suggestions answer: school meal / lunch service

Cooking class, when students learn how to cook meals
Food court / cafeteria at school
School meal / lunch service
special term for “bento” that only applies for bento in school context

Q2

Japanese: 自分で、昼ご飯を用意しますか。
English: Does he take care about lunch for himself?
Suggestions answer: he usually buys food at the schools bento corner

Yes, he makes his own bento in the morning
No, his mom makes him bento in the morning
Yes, he buys food at the schools bento corner
No, his school provides lunch

Q3

Japanese: お昼にだいたい何を食べますか。
English: What does he usually eat for lunch?
Suggestions answer: rice bowl or hamburger and so on

whatever his mom cooked for him
salad or soup or hamburger and so on
rice bowl or hamburger and so on
bread and snacks

Q4

Japanese: ゆうまのお母さんは仕事をしますか。
English: Does his mom work?
Suggestions answer: Yes, everyday. So she is very busy.

No, she is a house wife
Yes, she works everyday
Sometimes, as she is a home schooling teacher
Sometimes, as she works part-time

Q5

Japanese: 学校の後で、どうしてもう一度食べますか。
English: Why does he eat again after school is finished?
Suggestions answer: He has swimming club everyday and is very hungry afterwards.

Because he needs energy for the prep school
Because he is hungry from swimming
Because he regularly receives bread from a girl in his class
Because his friend Yûji shares his bento with him

Q6

Japanese: どうして彼女がほしいですか。
English: Why does he want to have a girlfriend?
Suggestions answer: He seems to be envying his friend a little bit as he gets homemade bento from his girlfriend from time to time.

Because there is this girl that he likes…
Because his best friend Yûji has one
Because he wants to eat homemade bento from time to time
Because he actually loves cooking, but is too lazy to cook bento only for one person

6 Likes
#177

Check-in (#5) May 23rd

How does it work?

These check-in posts were suggested by @banditraider and will be made bi-weekly (on Sundays). Please answer the questions over the indicated period (so, the past two weeks). Feel free to respond, whether you’re studying more casually, or even if you’re taking the actual JLPT! It might be a nice way to hold yourself accountable, or just see how you’re progressing over time (if you regularly respond). The format and included questions aren’t set in stone at all, so if you have any suggestions, please reply!

Q1: How have you been sticking to your study schedule during the past two weeks? (period 05/09 - 05/23)
  • I have stuck to my schedule 75% - 100% of the time
  • I have stuck to my schedule around 50% of the time
  • I have stuck to my schedule 0% to 25% of the time
  • I do not have a clear schedule, but I have studied Japanese regularly
  • I do not have a clear schedule yet, but I am in the process of making one
  • I have not started studying for the JLPT yet
  • Other (please comment)

0 voters

Q2: Have you made any changes to your study routine (if you have one) or methods during the past two weeks? (period 05/09 - 05/23)
  • No
  • Yes, I have changed my routine so I spend less time on Japanese than I originally intended
  • Yes, I have changed my routine so I spend more time on Japanese than I originally intended
  • Yes, I have cut some methods from my routine
  • Yes, I have discovered new studying methods that I would like to add to my routine (please comment!)
  • Yes, I have decided to switch my focus to a different skill (e.g., listening instead of reading)
  • Yes, but I haven’t changed my routine/methods in any of the ways mentioned above (please comment!)
  • Other (please comment!)

0 voters

Q3: How confident are you for the JLPT, right now?
  • Very confident
  • Fairly confident
  • Neither
  • Not very confident
  • Not confident at all

0 voters

Q4: What is your strength in Japanese, right now?
  • Listening
  • Reading
  • Speaking
  • Vocabulary
  • Kanji
  • Writing
  • Grammar
  • My skills are all at a similar level
  • I don’t know
  • Other (please comment!)

0 voters

Q5: What is your weakness in Japanese, right now?
  • Listening
  • Reading
  • Speaking
  • Vocabulary
  • Kanji
  • Writing
  • Grammar
  • My skills are all at a similar level
  • I don’t know
  • Other (please comment!)

0 voters

All polls close in 2 weeks, just before the next check-in post.

Please leave a comment if you feel a question or answering option is missing/should be changed! Also feel free to leave any other comments you might have!

2 Likes
#178

It’s that time of the bi-week again! Time flies I didn’t do enough again. However, I did come up with a better schedule for studying grammar, I plan to go for quantity above quality, because that’s just all I can afford at the moment. (Specifically, I plan on watching the 日本語の森 videos on N2 and N1 grammar that explain all points in an hour or so, and then build from there)

This exactly :sweat_smile: It’s kind of unfortunate that the JLPT comes at the exact same time as all my final deadlines etc., but it can’t be helped.

I was thinking the exact same!! I’ll probably study a lot more over the summer. I might even try the other practice exam at some point, but that’s for future me to worry about. But yeah I’m very curious what my results will look like this July :joy:

A small update on the results and scoring: I still plan to calculate some kind of scoring for the N5, N4, N3 and N2 practice exams before July 4th. I’ll do the N1 after I’ve finished the practice exam myself :stuck_out_tongue: Another reminder that this is not how the JLPT is scored officially so it’s only a rough indication (see introduction post for more information).

SAME I cannot believe how fast the time is passing by, it’s only a little over a month until July 4th as well :flushed:

At least we’re all in the same boat (to different extents haha) :joy: Curious how all of you managed the past two weeks!

3 Likes
#179

I realized I never actually wrote down what I do, when I started doing it. ^^"

So I am going through this anki deck for vocab. I deleted the N5, suspended most of N4, and studied 50-100 new words / day until I finished N3. (I went for recognition + recall as well.) I was familiar with most of the words but I really needed to refresh them.
Now that I’m at N2, I add 10-25 new words, and recall only. I’m not gonna finish until the mock exam, but hopefully will until December (when I’ll try the actual exam).

I’m also doing bunpro, I went through all the N5, N4 grammar, added those to my pile that I wasn’t 100% sure of that I know, and then I learn 10 new N3 grammar per day. Some I already know, some I never heard of (how I passed N3 2 years ago is beyond me), so in this aspect I’m sure I won’t be doing well at the mock exam.
I have 40 left from the N3 batch. I think I’ll learn only 5/day from the N2 batch.

Also, I read a lot. I read at least 1 hour a day. I don’t think there will be a problem with that part.

Listening: I’m not doing anything. I sometimes listen to a podcast on youtube. Around one time a week. Surely I need to do something about that.

If you wonder why I am struggling with N3 stuff when I passed in 2019: after the exam I literally didn’t study a word and positively avoided everything related to Japanese due to some personal trauma. I got back to it in August 2020 for around a month, and then nothing again. Then I joined the コンビニ人間 repeat book club when I aimlessly surfed the interwebz in January and gradually got back to it. I no longer feel the negative connotations thankfully.

9 Likes
#180

I’m in a bit of a rut.

I worked my way through Shin Kanzen Master N4 Bunpou and got through 1/3 of N3 Bunpou. It was definitely very useful and interesting, but it was really doing my head in as well. You get an answer key, but not a whole lot of explanation as to why particular answers are right or wrong. I just got fed up with the sleuthing after a few weeks. When I saw that the next chapter was going to be a keigo chapter that was the last straw lol.

Maybe I wanted too much too fast and I burned out a bit, I don’t know, but I feel very demotivated at the moment. I am frustrated that it feels like I am not getting much better; I feel disheartened about how. much. vocab. I will still need to know before I can read anywhere near as fluently as I would like (and don’t get me started on listening).

So I am thinking I am going to give up on explicit ‘study’ for a while and see if I can just do some Japanese (any Japanese!) for fun.

9 Likes
#181

Yeah, that’s on my to-do list as well. There’s absolutely no way I’ll pass this test (N2), but yolo lol. I’m mostly just curious to see where I’m at.

I absolutely recommend that. Sometimes our brains just need a break. I’ve definitely gone through it multiple times. You got this, just take some chill time and get back to it when you’re ready :slight_smile:

–

As for me, I’m trying to step up my game x’D New additions to my studies: I’m playing some Netflix in the background, doing passive listening, just to have it there. I’m writing sentences every day, and I’m participating in the Italki challenge going on right now. (Aiming for 16 hours there. Idk how some people can do so many hours for those, the leaderboards get ridiculous.)

5 Likes
#182

My % correct seems to be lower recently comparing to when I started studying specifically for JLPT :confused:

But recent chapters (both in grammar and listening) were also keigo chapters, so at least I can blame it on that!
Unfortunately, it’s hard for me to stop now, because I’m registered for the real July JLPT too and preferably I want to be finished with N3 textbooks after that.

Actually, I have a bit of a dilemma with keigo. Right now I’m concentrating on passive understanding of the language, because I’m learning it for novels and games anyway, not for conversations. But I want to pass N3 and then N2 someday too. With a nice score included (let’s say 75% at least).

And keigo isn’t holding me back when I’m reading books. With context, I’m able to decipher what’s being said without much problem.
But I’m totally useless when I’m answering keigo grammar exam questions. And I’m unable to hear it properly while doing listening exam questions, these forms are just too looooong and too compleeeex. :< (I’m bad with hearing human speech in my native language too. My hearing is ok, but I have problems with people speaking.)
So. For N3, I’ll concentrate on finishing textbooks I already bought before deadline, and give up about polishing keigo. But I’m wondering if I should give it up for N2 too, as long as I’m okay with passive understanding in the context while reading. I wonder how much points I will lose on this. I’ll read the explanations, of course, but making them stick is another thing. Or sometimes I answer wrong even when I’m thinking I’m following an explanation.

Anyway, I identify with having a motivation crash after seeing a keigo chapter :grin:

8 Likes
#183

I started a new job and I’m struggling to find as much time for JP as I did. Still studying every say just wish I could do more. I’m behind this month.

9 Likes
#184

Nice. Last year I’ve watched a couple of their N3 live streams and I really enjoyed them. Very lively and lots of examples to make the discussed topic tangible.

Hope you’ll be back in enjoying Japanese very soon either by reading books, watching movies or listening to some crazy underground music (… or simply stuff you enjoy :slight_smile: )

Congrats. Hope you’ll get back into the flow soon :four_leaf_clover:

…and for those of you who are interested in learning more about Yûma and how they got into swimming here comes a new set of six questions for the fourth N5 podcast from the JLPT stories :slight_smile:

  • 水泳– JLPT N5 / June 08 2019 / Yûma

Also, this will be the last week I am going through N5 podcasts. I’ll switch to N4 from now on.

Q1

Japanese: 泳ぎ始めた時は何ですか。
English: When did he started swimming?
Suggestions answer: when he was an elementary school student

Since before he enrolled with elementary school
Since elementary school
Since second year elementary school
Since last year of elementary school

Q2

English: How did he get started?
Suggestions answer: Together with his dad

Swimming club at his school
Swimming club at the local swimming pool
Together with his dad
Together with his mom

Q3

Japanese: すぐに、水泳クラブに入りましたか。どうしてですか。
English: Did he join the swimming club immediately? Why is that so?
Suggestions answer: No, because his parent encouraged him to get better first

Yes, because his parent encouraged him it will get him become better
Yes, because he saw other elementary students practice swimming in the local swimming pool
No, because his parent encouraged him to get better first
No, because he felt he should become better first

Q4

English: Does his parent continue swimming when Yûma joined the swimming club?
Suggestions answer: Yes, they swam for themselves and sometimes they played together with Yûma in the pool after the club finished

Yes, they swam for themselves and sometimes they played together with Yûma in the pool after the club finished
Yes, they swam for themselves but stopped playing together with Yûma in the pool (even after the club finished)
No, but sometimes they played together with Yûma in the pool after the club finished
No, they only started it to get Yûma interested in learning how to swim

Q5

Japanese: 水泳が上手になった時は何ですか。
English: When did Yûma made progress as a swimmer?
Suggestions answer: When he entered middle school

Elementary school, second year in summer
Elementary school, last year
When he entered middle school
Middle school, third year

Q6

Japanese: 今まで、部屋の中の物は何ですか。
English: What is still in Yûmas room?
Suggestions answer: medal and picture with his parent when Yûma won the swimming competition

The medal and record of achievement when Yûma the swimming competition at his last year in middle school
The medal and picture with his parent when Yûma the swimming competition at his last year in middle school
The medal and picture his parent took when Yûma the swimming competition at his last year in middle school
The medal and picture with his parent when his parent won the swimming competition at Yûmas last year in middle school

5 Likes
#185

I feel that!!
I know language learning is a marathon and not a sprint etc etc but sometimes I’m just so impatient. Like, I just wanna understand things properly already, geesh :laughing:
There’s just… so many words.

It helps to focus on the fun things like you said.
I try to focus on enjoying the things I can already watch/read (with a dictionary most of the time, but still) instead of the “end goal” (whatever that even is) that’s still way too far away anyway.
And that is fun, absolutely, but man, I still get impatient, I can’t help it :sweat_smile:

Also same :joy:
I’m not taking the jlpt this year but some day in the future I will probably face the same dilemma.
Unfortunately I have no advice, but fingers crossed that keigo isn’t that important on the exam and it will go well for you!
Good luck!!

4 Likes
#186

Was registered for July 4 in Thailand. We just found out, cancelled :frowning_face:

#187

Oh no I’m so sorry, that must’ve been disappointing to find out :frowning:

#188

Check-in (#6) June 6th

How does it work?

These check-in posts were suggested by @banditraider and will be made bi-weekly (on Sundays). Please answer the questions over the indicated period (so, the past two weeks). Feel free to respond, whether you’re studying more casually, or even if you’re taking the actual JLPT! It might be a nice way to hold yourself accountable, or just see how you’re progressing over time (if you regularly respond). The format and included questions aren’t set in stone at all, so if you have any suggestions, please reply!

Q1: How have you been sticking to your study schedule during the past two weeks? (period 05/23 - 06/20)
  • I have stuck to my schedule 75% - 100% of the time
  • I have stuck to my schedule around 50% of the time
  • I have stuck to my schedule 0% to 25% of the time
  • I do not have a clear schedule, but I have studied Japanese regularly
  • I do not have a clear schedule yet, but I am in the process of making one
  • I have not started studying for the JLPT yet
  • Other (please comment)

0 voters

Q2: Have you made any changes to your study routine (if you have one) or methods during the past two weeks? (period 05/23 - 06/20)
  • No
  • Yes, I have changed my routine so I spend less time on Japanese than I originally intended
  • Yes, I have changed my routine so I spend more time on Japanese than I originally intended
  • Yes, I have cut some methods from my routine
  • Yes, I have discovered new studying methods that I would like to add to my routine (please comment!)
  • Yes, I have decided to switch my focus to a different skill (e.g., listening instead of reading)
  • Yes, but I haven’t changed my routine/methods in any of the ways mentioned above (please comment!)
  • Other (please comment!)

0 voters

Q3: How confident are you for the JLPT, right now?
  • Very confident
  • Fairly confident
  • Neither
  • Not very confident
  • Not confident at all

0 voters

Q4: What is your strength in Japanese, right now?
  • Listening
  • Reading
  • Speaking
  • Vocabulary
  • Kanji
  • Writing
  • Grammar
  • My skills are all at a similar level
  • I don’t know
  • Other (please comment!)

0 voters

Q5: What is your weakness in Japanese, right now?
  • Listening
  • Reading
  • Speaking
  • Vocabulary
  • Kanji
  • Writing
  • Grammar
  • My skills are all at a similar level
  • I don’t know
  • Other (please comment!)

0 voters

All polls close in 2 weeks, just before the next check-in post.

Please leave a comment if you feel a question or answering option is missing/should be changed! Also feel free to leave any other comments you might have!

5 Likes
#189

I love how I always tick on ‘Reading’ as my strength and then I go back to my book that I’m reading. ^^" I don’t even try to pretend that I’m putting emphasis on improving my other skills. Finally my local library opened again, and I rented an N2 preparation book… yeah you guessed right, it’s 読解.

My plan is to work through this one, see if I can actually solve the reading problems, and then concentrate on the other parts. Like listening, mainly.

I am learning new words via Anki every day (25/day, might change it to 30-35 though, because now I spend less than 30 min every day with Anki), and also new grammar with Bunpro (5-10/day).

3 Likes
#190

I’m quite late, but I’ll join. I’m already considering using N4 as sort a progress marker anyway so would be neat to have a more concrete deadline to aim for.

For the past couple of months or so I’ve been a bit more consistent with my studying. It’s following a period of struggling before that. I felt like I was focusing too much on certain aspects and neglecting others which I think demotivated me at times. So recently I’ve stuck to:

  1. Going through WK reviews daily and slowly adding new lessons
  2. Working through a Genki 2 based memrise deck
  3. Reading grammar explanations in Genki then loading them into Bunpro

As of writing, I only have chapter 20-23 left before I finish adding all the vocab on memrise. I’m a bit further behind when it comes to the grammar (still on chapter 17) but I plan to focus more on that once I finish adding all the vocab items.

Outside of that I’ve also been listening to JPod101 episodes most days and doing a few lessons with a native speaker who gives me reading assignments. More so for fun and to vary my studying method a bit so I’m not solely using SRS. But I think it’s good in the sense that I’m being exposed to conversation and not simply studying the concepts in isolation.

Probably going to be difficult for me to finish in the span of less than a month since I’ll be studying something else full time, but maybe there’s still a chance I can pass. The thought makes me motivated so I welcome the challenge :triumph:

3 Likes
#191

An inconvenience for me. Thai students are missing out on grants from Japan Government,
study abroad plans dashed. Really sad

1 Like