テースト テースト テースト… test test test..

Less than a month to JLPT test... ren's preparing for the dreaded date.. yups.. i'll be taking this year's JLPT level 4.. for those who doesn't know or not sure.. Wikipedia says..

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (日本語能力試験, Nihongo Nōryoku Shiken), or JLPT, is a standardized criterion-referenced test to evaluate and certify the Japanese language proficiency of non-native speakers. It is held twice a year in East Asia and once a year in other regions. The JLPT has four levels, with Level 4 the most basic and Level 1 the most difficult. The Japan Foundation estimates that approximately 150 hours of study are necessary to pass the Level 4 exam and 900 hours of study are required to pass the Level 1 test, although the figures may be significantly higher for native English speakers. In 2008, the Japanese government announced a plan under consideration to use the JLPT to screen applicants for long-term and permanent resident visas. The test is held on the first Sunday of December each year.

Wiki is very useful eh? lolx.. saves me from all the explanation.. that basically sums up the whole JLPT thing.

8 years series has overtaken the desk.. >.<

Some of ren's history with japanese language. not a lot. but still long. = =

Actually, i've been studying japanese for close to 3 years.. (gasps! XD) Although it sounded like a lot but to be honest, its one and a half years of ultra-slow learning from a lousy school that shall not be named and one year of a proper language school education, which im grateful of. well, even the jap teacher from the 'slow' school asked me to look for a better school outside.. which i did eventually. XD i din blame her. its really jus how their curriculum were planned. Of cos, armed with a year of japanese language education definitely aided me greatly in absorbing new grammer and vocab.. after an interview in the new school, i was allowed to join an on-going class that's half-way thru the course. but i chose not to and opt for a new class instead as i wanted to revise and see wad i've missed out. ^^

Indeed, the first half of the course was a breeze.. but when it came to new grammar and particles.. it's really a struggle to remb, when compared to the old vocabs that etched into my brain. but somehow, i managed. thank God. =D which brings me to now.. preparing for JLPT and doing past year's papers.. the paper comprised of 3 sections: Vocabulary section, Listening Comprehension and Grammar. Listening comprehension is definitely the hardest for non-native speakers like us. But if you have been having a healthy dosage of japanese doramas and movies, kamen riders XD, J-pop music and animes (seldom now), you'll have a slight advantage. =)

Learning the language has undoubtedly deepened my love and understanding of Japan. Other than helping me and tako ard Tokyo, it also let me understand any japanese shows more, other den relying on subtitles.. you'll be surprised how much the meaning differs at times. ^^. Able to read japanese magazines like Dengeki & Hobby J and gunpla manuals (tho it doesnt need any language understanding XD) are also a big plus! finally, it's also small steps towards my ultimate dream of working or living in Japan; JLPT is used to gauge your japanese proficiency  by your employer.



After all these rantings... hahahaha.. im jus trying to tell you guys that i'll be busy with my JLPT preparations these days and unfortunately, unable to produce any gunpla works/posts... tho i mite play with it a little to destress. things are jus postponed. hope you understand..  ^^. Gomenasai. ごめんなさい。i think i'll do some simple posts when i have the time.. and maybe some tweaks in the layout, more accessible to some posts etc.. Any other suggestions?? =D feel free to let me know! i'll see wad i can do..

Yups.. thanks again.. for the well wishes to Tako.. =D and for reading this boring post.. As always, THANK YOU. ^^

Do you pple have any experience learning a foreign language? Share with us! =)


(^^)"　　　レンです！　　じゃね！