Things are not as they seem
In the past many have made me believe that from my first class of Japanese I have been in a race. The race starts at 5 and goes up until 1 where upon you become a king! Being king is the highest level and proves to others that you can rule over your Japanese language abilities better than those at lower levels than you. Well, this is what I was lead to believe until I studied Japanese for 5 years and traveled extensively in japan and it seems the picture is different from up here. To summarize, I have found that although it is difficult to become king, that doesn't mean that itâs the highest level. Also, like in the real world there are kings who are good at ruling and ones who aren't. Letâs explore further and I will explain why although itâs my time to shine, im deciding to not up-rank.
What do the JLPT levels promise?
To put it simply the JLPT levels promise these capabilities:
Maybe to a beginner looking at the description of N1 it may look menacing, however to someone who has lived in Japan this description falls short of the highest level of Japanese. I have French friends who are almost as good as me in English reaching what I would call sub native level so will obtaining N1 make me into this? The short answer, I believe is no.
When one wants to compare proficiencies between languages it is hard to look past the CEFR (Common European Framework for Reference). To give you a quick explanation there are 3 tiers correlating to Beginner (A), Intermediate (B) and Advanced (C). Within each level there are 2 levels and each level is based on real life âI can doâ type statements.
Look how the JLPT correlates to the CEFR
- N1: The ability to understand Japanese used in a variety of circumstances
- N2: The ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations, and in a variety of circumstances to a certain degree
- N3: The ability to understand Japanese used in everyday situations to a certain degree
- N4: The ability to understand basic Japanese
- N5: The ability to understand some basic Japanese
Maybe to a beginner looking at the description of N1 it may look menacing, however to someone who has lived in Japan this description falls short of the highest level of Japanese. I have French friends who are almost as good as me in English reaching what I would call sub native level so will obtaining N1 make me into this? The short answer, I believe is no.
When one wants to compare proficiencies between languages it is hard to look past the CEFR (Common European Framework for Reference). To give you a quick explanation there are 3 tiers correlating to Beginner (A), Intermediate (B) and Advanced (C). Within each level there are 2 levels and each level is based on real life âI can doâ type statements.
Look how the JLPT correlates to the CEFR
A1 | N5 |
A2 | N4 |
B1 | N4-N2 |
B2 | N2,N1 |
C1 |
|
C2 |
|
What does the JLPT test?
Why then is there such poor correlation between the JLPT and CEFR you may ask? Well first we me must look at what the JLPT is made up of. Basically it can be broken into two sets of multiple choice comprehension questions testing reading vocabulary and grammar + listening.
Therefore it is a test of all âpassive skillsâ, not touching on the âactive skillsâ like writing or speaking. There are probably many reasons for this, including speed of marking and cost reduction of the test, however, it severely impacts the focus of students studies. However, this comes at the cost of reducing the overall level of proficiency for the higher levels.
Therefore it is a test of all âpassive skillsâ, not touching on the âactive skillsâ like writing or speaking. There are probably many reasons for this, including speed of marking and cost reduction of the test, however, it severely impacts the focus of students studies. However, this comes at the cost of reducing the overall level of proficiency for the higher levels.
Translator vs Interpreter
Many people mistake the difference between a translator and an so to define these simply:
Translator = Text (Reading/ Writing)
Interpreter = Speech (Speaking/ Listening)
If you havenât already noticed the JLPT only focuses on half of the language skills necessary to fill one job.
Translator = Text (Reading/ Writing)
Interpreter = Speech (Speaking/ Listening)
If you havenât already noticed the JLPT only focuses on half of the language skills necessary to fill one job.
Different paths
So why am I not studying for N1?
The paths that lead to these two different Jobs/ abilities take different routes and come from different goals. One has the goal of being able to understand text and the other to understand people.
In my opinion the people who pass JLPT are mainly people following the translation path, this is for the following reasons.
Besides this in real life people who cannot read a word can take their time and look it up in a dictionary, whereas people who can only speak have to rely on their memories or strategies to work around not knowing a word.
In my opinion the people who pass JLPT are mainly people following the translation path, this is for the following reasons.
- Translation of texts generally go from L2 to L1 and therefore focus mainly on reading and interpreting the text in your most familiar language. Unlike Interpretation where a two way flow of language is required.
- The marks allocated to listening are 1/3 of the total exam, thus enabling people who focus on grammar, vocabulary and reading an advantage.
Besides this in real life people who cannot read a word can take their time and look it up in a dictionary, whereas people who can only speak have to rely on their memories or strategies to work around not knowing a word.
What am I doing instead of studying for N1
I have decided that it is importat to think about which path I am following and map my progress ahead instead of following the crowd and ranking up. N2 and 2 years experience in japan is enough evidence for employees of my Japanese proficiency.
Only working the passive skills for the purpose of passing the test as fast as possible doesnât have much merit in my eyes, especially since im an interpreter type. This is reflected in my Gym like goal for working out my Japanese.
Stage 1 (Now) â N3 Revision stage
Im going back to basics and studying all the Vocabulary and Grammar from the level lower than me. Thatâs right, Im dusting off all my N3 Vocabulary and grammar books and circle/ dashâing them! (Marking out all the words I know and are comfortable with and Know and are less confident with). All these vocabulary I am painfully and meticulously then adding into Memrise decks and practicing on my phone.
In addition to the books I had before I have bought a new vocabulary book on N3 which is helping me to cover all bases on vocabulary
For grammar im talking a long and painful rout of making example sentences for all my unknown points and making them into paragraphs.
Stage 2 âN2 Revision stage
In stage 2 I will move onto doing the same thing with my previous N2 books and will buy another vocabulary book for this too.
Stage 3 â Kanji blast
I will hit from a 4 angle blast.
1: Heisig training till the end of the book.
2. Along side heisig study the remaining Kyoiku kanji and readings
3. Doing Kanji kentei levels
3. Reading kyoiku kanji books designed for Japanese elementary school children.
Stage 1 (Now) â N3 Revision stage
Im going back to basics and studying all the Vocabulary and Grammar from the level lower than me. Thatâs right, Im dusting off all my N3 Vocabulary and grammar books and circle/ dashâing them! (Marking out all the words I know and are comfortable with and Know and are less confident with). All these vocabulary I am painfully and meticulously then adding into Memrise decks and practicing on my phone.
In addition to the books I had before I have bought a new vocabulary book on N3 which is helping me to cover all bases on vocabulary
For grammar im talking a long and painful rout of making example sentences for all my unknown points and making them into paragraphs.
Stage 2 âN2 Revision stage
In stage 2 I will move onto doing the same thing with my previous N2 books and will buy another vocabulary book for this too.
Stage 3 â Kanji blast
I will hit from a 4 angle blast.
1: Heisig training till the end of the book.
2. Along side heisig study the remaining Kyoiku kanji and readings
3. Doing Kanji kentei levels
3. Reading kyoiku kanji books designed for Japanese elementary school children.