Next Study Steps

[Jonasan]

Hey all,

I've now learned the basic 46 hiragana and am somewhat unsure of what next steps I should take if I am to take the Level 4 JLPT this year. Perhaps, I should memorize the 103 Kanji needed for the test or should I look into grammar a bit more.

Thanks,
Jonasan

[Machina Maw]

I'd say... both. Study kanji in small bits, like, 20 at a time, and write them over and over untill you can remember how to write, recognise and pronounce them... while inbetween, you study grammar.

[Tegan]

Wow 20 at a time? I usually do 3 - 5... Ah well, to each his/her own I guess.

[Machina Maw]

Tegan wrote:
Wow 20 at a time? I usually do 3 - 5... Ah well, to each his/her own I guess.

Hehe, exactly. To each their own. The only reason I do 20 at a time is because I only study new kanji every 6 weeks or so... I spend a lot of time reviewing. And when I learn new kanji, I write them down in a list and copy each kanji out so many times a day, and review them before I sleep/when I wake and stuff. But yeah. The main thing is to go at your own pace, and make sure you can remember the pronounciation and how to write/recognise them. =)

[Tegan]

Ah, okay, I do the same type of review basically, i just do 3-5 every one or two days. I thought you meant 20 a day. My brain made this face:



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By the way, I dont know if this is allowed, but do you know where I could find the original picture in your icon? I've never seen it before!

[hungryhotei]

Its not really worth going for level 4, its expensive and not worth anything.　Ther point is buy a good textbook like Genki and work through it withought worrying about JLPT.

On Kanji, I think Its better to learn 20 Kanji a week than 3 a day.

[Kates]

Actually, as nationally administered tests go, the JLPT is not so expensive. And personally, I think trying level four could be very worthwhile--though I never took it myself. It's a great way to see what the format of the JLPT is like, and to get some confidence in taking it. And if, in the end, you can pass the level four test, then you'll have a whole heap of confidence along with a pretty little certificate to show off.

As for kanji, you have plenty of time to get the 103 necessary under your belt, so don't worry about cramming them in. Make a schedule, keep a steady pace, and keep it up. If you haven't started studying grammar yet, then DO. I would say it's much more important right now for you (having just learned the kana) to start learning some vocabulary and grammar, than fretting about kanji to write words you don't even know yet! ^_^