(Untitled)

[cloudiwolf]

There are five possible levels one can be placed into when they take the placement test and interview at Kyoto Gaidai. I figure, This is my fourth year studying Japanese, I should at least make it to the third level because I'm still pretty weak in some areas. Apparently my weaknesses are far more than I thought because I only made it into Japanese

Comments

[rose_revolution]

がんばれ、せんぱい！

Your in japan, fuck the class, everyday *is* school. Think of it this way. If your in a class thats a little before your level, you will have free time to get involved at school and learn Japanese they *don't* teach in class, you know what I'm a saying? But wasting money is *also* lame. Either way, you are not a failure in the least, so keep, keep on trying (and if you don't have Utada Hikaru Keep On Tryin', go download it NOW, everytime I get upset and want to quit I put that on and its the best thing ever. You can stream the video on youtube if you want to watch how cute it is.)

[ladyomnipotent]

"Keep Tryin" was like my frakkin theme song towards the end of my study abroad experience. I love the fat dude with the burgers in the video.

[rose_revolution]

Yeah, its SUCH a good theme song, especially for foreigners in Japan. It's like "Utada has got my back, yo." I saw her in concert two weeks ago in Tokyo, I was about fifth row Center aisle. Naturally, the 6'5" gaikokujin with long red hair stood out a lot. Everyone was kind of moving but not really dancing as they do in American concerts. I was so psyched and I was so close, maybe like 30 feet from Utada the entire show, that I just really grooved and got into it. During Keep Trying, which was the last song before the encore, they put pictures of the people up on HUUUUGE 100 foot digital monitors for "okaasan" "otousan" "oniichan" etc etc. They had cameras do a close up of the person's face. Naturally, I wasn't expecting to be put up since everyone before me had been Japanese but sure enough, for Onii-chan, there I was. Totally made my week. Utada kicks ass, XD.

[becky_kitty]

If you find the material really easy, can you be placed to a higher level next semester?

Nothing to do but ganbaru

[ladyomnipotent]

Don't worry about what kinds of things you write in this LJ--I'm sure everyone just wants to hear what you're really feeling. At least I do, because I understand what you're going through. Talk to a sensei about being moved up a class, and see what happens. Try writing out and practicing what to say to them beforehand--I usually need to do that or I just freeze up.

Shinpaisuruna!

[spikerosered]

When I first got to Japan I was super happy I got into a high level, I felt as if my skills were being acknowledged. But now that I have the entire experience behind me and look back in retrospect I only WISH I could have gotten into level 2 or 3. You remember the LJ posts. Japanese class almost ruined our Japanese experience. So my suggestion to you, is to try to care little for the "challenge" of Japanese class since Japan itself will be a challenge. However I do agree you should try to get into a higher level class if the material is simply juvenile

[0x0_kate_0x0]

If the class is too easy, I think you could change it. (basing placement on a jetlagged enchanced test is tragic) Here, the teacher met with everyone to ask what they thought.

And since I spent (god knows how many hours) studying with you--I know for facts upon facts that we are the same level and that ain't stupid. I am currently in the equivalent of a 3rd year class right now (maybe it will help me erase the memories of my horrible actual third year) and so far its doable. (not that I am a shining star or anything. I actually kinda of dingy, but I dont care) I don't know what the curriculum is like where you are though.

But in any event.
1, Mere SCIENCE can tell you you ain't lacking in brain cells.
2, Challenges suck. They take up all my free time and confidence and this is my vacation. Maybe you feel the same way?

So however it works out for you, you can really really make it work to your advantage I promise.

Because its more fun to stress out over things such as food shopping. ^_^