JLPT

So now that I am once again back into study mode MAJOR, I have begun to once again prepare to take the JLPT otherwise known as the Japanese Language Proficiency Test. I was poised to take this test two years ago but decided instead to move to Korea and opt out of testing for another year or. Truthfully I didn't study near as much nor did I speak enough Japanese when I was abroad in Korea for fear of retribution from the locals. Japan is a sore spot for many Koreans, even some of my dear friends who were as western as they come. Therefore most of the time I spoke English and the smidgen of Korean I happened to pick up or learn. So I decided that instead of wasting my money and taking the test I would wait until I had enough time to study up and then take it.

That time is fast approaching...

...ok so maybe December 5, 2010 isn't necessarily close but it is close enough for me to begin to worry and carve out time in my busy schedule to sit down and study.

So for those of you who have never heard of the test it is used similar to those students of English have to take to get accepted to American universities. There are now 5 different levels the highest being level 1. Passing that means you have native-near native grasp of the Japanese language. The test scores can be used in a variety of different settings and can assist future employers in knowing a person's level of Japanese language ability.

As I hope to continue my journey abroad in Japan I am planning to take this test and hopefully pass level 2. I studied Japanese for 4yrs in university and love speaking it when I have the chance. Luckily there is an international language academy that offers Japanese so once I have the money I plan on applying for tutoring. There are 6-8week programs offered there so hopefully within the next 2months or so I'll have enough money to pay for my private lessons.

For more information about the JLPT you can follow the link here...
There's also a KLPT(Korean Language Proficiency Test) for those who are interested though there are no testing locations in the U.S. so the link for that particular test is here...
I haven't decided yet if I'll take the KLPT within the next year or two. Perhaps once I'm done studying for one I'll begin my Korean lessons again...