AP Japanese Scores?

anniemac
Sun, 18 Jul 2010 12:14:30 +0000

@aqua:

I think “starting my Japanese track” sounds a bit too intense XD All I learned before high school was 50 basic kanji, katakana, and hiragana. I didn’t know much grammar. I just knew words from watching movies or from what I learned from kanji (Like numbers, for example)

I still took Japanese 1 like everyone else during freshman year, but it became more of a naptime… >.> heheheh… So it’s definitely possible to take the AP test in 10th grade, even if you started normally.

You don’t HAVE to watch them. See, for me, I didn’t think about the AP test while watching them. I’m a big fan of Asian dramas!!! I didn’t just watch Japanese, but Taiwanese and Korean as well (though Japanese is the best imo :D)…

So don’t force yourself to watch dramas if you don’t like them. I recommended it for people who cannot study abroad in Japan [that is MUCH more important in accelerating Japanese than any kind of self-study]. It’s actual natives talking at faster paces about (usually) things that happen in real life.

(As opposed to anime, in which a lot of the topics can be fictional and not that useful. Like, it’s great if you can name all the jutsu and ninja terms in Naruto… But that won’t help you on the exam. Also, as said before, anime can be a problem for a beginner if you can’t identify dialects,etc. For example, some characters will replace “Su” with “Chu” to sound cute. This can mess up your listening a bit… Also, many characters will speak in Kansai dialect, and even other minor dialects [Okinawa, Okawa], for humor. These can be intelligible with standard Tokyo dialect, but it depends on how heavy the accent is.)[/rant]

And, do you have to talk in a perfect Japanese accent? No. But be as CLOSE as possible. Don’t say Desoo instead of desu. Don’t butcher words with “tsu”. Pronounce words like “Toyota” and “karaoke” correctly when speaking Japanese. It’s not “Carry-o-kee-”, it’s kara-okay. “R” sound should have that hint of “L” in it too. Like ramen isn’t RAH-men, it’s more like ‘lah-men’…but with japanese ‘r’ sound… Hard to explain, but hopefully you can listen to it and understand if you don’t have this down. These are just general things that should be perfect before you take the exam. People in Japan make fun of Americans with awkward, boisterous Japanese just as much as Americans make fun of “flied lice”.

Anyways, I sense that there are many people in this thread that are anime fans. Just FYI, many of my favorite dramas are based off of anime or manga. The plot is never exactly the same as the anime, but if the original cartoon was popular enough for millions to be spent in turning it live-actiong, then either way it’s probably pretty good.

I think reading manga RAWs is helpful though. Once you get good enough, try looking up RAWs. Even if it might not always be about relevant topics, it’s the best kanji practice you can probably get via the internet. The furigana is usually above the kanji, so you can look them up quickly, and the reading tends to be easier than a news paper, depending on to whom the manga is targeted towards.

For example, stay away from “seinen”, “josei”, and “mature” manga…((NONE OF YOU SHOULD BE READING ANY SORT OF HENTAI O_O)) Not only can they be inappropriate, they are also intended for Japanese who are in or have graduated university. Though the topics might be more realistic, there usually isn’t furigana above the kanji, and there is usually very difficult kanji.

Which brings me to the other question about the JLPT.

Worry about AP test first, JLPT second. AP test is more relevant to high school students, and requires more effort. JLPT tests only listening and reading [most likely because that’s the easiest to grade…], whereas AP tests listening, reading, writing, and speaking. But if I had to estimate… I would say that the AP test is somewhere between levels N4 and N3. If you’re using JLPT study materials, study for it as you would N3, since that’s the harder level.

However, even if one passes a high level of the JLPT does not mean that can live in Japan comfortably. Sure, you can read 2000 kanji, and thousands more compounds, but can you verbalize that? Can you talk like a normal person, or do you talk like a textbook? Do you have to talk slow? Also, do you know how to produce those kanji by hand? The AP test is done entirely on the computer, so you do not need to write the kanji by hand; however, if you intend on continuing with Japanese, it’s very important that you can write.

For some people, going to Japan, or having their career or education connect with Japan, is not the goal. Some are diehard fans that just want to watch movies without subtitles, some just wanted to pass their language requirement and Japanese seemed cooler than Spanish.

I kid. Spanish is pretty kickass too.

Now having said that, you have to consider WHY you want to take the JLPT before taking it. I would say that taking levels N5, N4, and N3 is a waste of time. I think the practice tests are valuable if you want to try your reading and listening skills, but you won’t NEED those tests for anything relevant in life.

The purpose of the JLPT is to show that you have a certain amount of proficiency in the language. For example, if you’re applying to a university, you should have passed the JLPT 1 with relatively good marks. (You only need 60-70% to pass… But I think one would need higher grades than that to function well in a university setting). Some jobs will say “JLPT 2 or higher”. For now, in high school, that doesn’t matter too much unless you just want to see how well you did. To that, I can only say “It’s your money”.

So, if you ever want to live or work in Japan, N2 and N1 can be very important.

Hmm. Since I’ve been referring to these levels a lot… I can give a general outline about what they actually mean.

Since the revision of the JLPT, the levels changed from 4, 3, 2, 1 to N5, N4, N3, N2, N1.

Only reading comprehension and listening skills are tested.

N5 is the easiest. Elementary level, know about 100 kanji.

N4, “can understand daily life conversations if spoken slowly. Can read simple materials aimed at foreigners”, know about 300 kanji.

N3, “Can understand native materials if written with simplified vocabulary and kanji. Can follow everyday conversation with natural speed”, 600-700 kanji. [Study for this one if you plan on taking the AP test… It’s a bit above the level of the AP test, but the listening section on the AP is FAST, though you only need to know about 400+ kanji]

N2, “Can read written materials on general topics and understand conversations and news at natural speed” [I’m currently studying for this one. This is probably the most accessible and useful test], 1000 kanji. (All kyouikukanji)

N1, “Can understand speech in a variety of challenging situations. Can grasp nuance and progression of ideas in abstract and complex materials.” 2000 kanji. (All jouyoukanji) [This one is difficult, but knowing the standard 2000 kanji will get you really far in the language]

Anyways. Long post >_> Sorry… But I hope it helped ~