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Japanese AS/A2 level
Hey 
I hope you don't mind answering a few questions I have about the Japanese AS/A2 level course:
1) I started learning Japanese a little under a week ago, and would like to do the AS and A2 Japanese exams in the Summer of 2008. I can put in around 4-5 hours of work per day when I have school, and around 8-10 when I don't. Also, I constantly expose myself to Japanese (music, etc.) Is it feasible to get up to A-level standard in a year?
2) On the Edexcel specification, located at http://www.edexcel.org.uk/VirtualContent/25940.pdf , it has a kanji list (page 36 of the pdf file onwards). What do the numbers by the kanji mean, and what does it mean at the top of the lists by "(Numbers 201-400)" and "(Numbers 401-600)"?
3) If I know kanji that aren't in the Edexcel specification, am I allowed to use these? The Edexcel specification doesn't seem to have a lot of them
...
Thank you very much for your help and time.
~~Simba
I hope you don't mind answering a few questions I have about the Japanese AS/A2 level course:1) I started learning Japanese a little under a week ago, and would like to do the AS and A2 Japanese exams in the Summer of 2008. I can put in around 4-5 hours of work per day when I have school, and around 8-10 when I don't. Also, I constantly expose myself to Japanese (music, etc.) Is it feasible to get up to A-level standard in a year?
2) On the Edexcel specification, located at http://www.edexcel.org.uk/VirtualContent/25940.pdf , it has a kanji list (page 36 of the pdf file onwards). What do the numbers by the kanji mean, and what does it mean at the top of the lists by "(Numbers 201-400)" and "(Numbers 401-600)"?
3) If I know kanji that aren't in the Edexcel specification, am I allowed to use these? The Edexcel specification doesn't seem to have a lot of them
...Thank you very much for your help and time.
~~Simba
Scroll to see replies
1) I think it's difficult, but not impossible; there are a few people I know who had got up to A level standard in 1~2 years without prior knowledge. But though it's feasible, it's then up to your natural ability at languages and the time you put into it that determines whether you can get a good grade or not. Which books are you thinking of using? Is it going to be entirely self-taught, or are you going to have a tutor/classes? Are you going to work through GCSE first (you don't necessarily have to do the exam)?
What other subjects do you do? (Apart from double/triple? maths obviously
) I take it you're going to be applying for maths?
I would encourage you to go for it, though - languages would complement almost any degree or any career, and from what I can see you seem capable of it. If it appears that getting to A level standard is just too much, you can always still learn the language and perhaps sit the GCSE only, or do some kind of outside qualification.
2) No idea; sorry! Make sure you know the kanji from GCSE as well. (Link: http://www.edexcel.org.uk/VirtualContent/49964/Japanese_A_B_1752_3.pdf check pg 42)
3) Yes, as far as I know - I don't think you're penalised for showing advanced material! I've included some, and so have many of my friends.
Good luck with whatever you choose! And feel free to drop into the Japanese Soc!
What other subjects do you do? (Apart from double/triple? maths obviously
) I take it you're going to be applying for maths?I would encourage you to go for it, though - languages would complement almost any degree or any career, and from what I can see you seem capable of it. If it appears that getting to A level standard is just too much, you can always still learn the language and perhaps sit the GCSE only, or do some kind of outside qualification.
2) No idea; sorry! Make sure you know the kanji from GCSE as well. (Link: http://www.edexcel.org.uk/VirtualContent/49964/Japanese_A_B_1752_3.pdf check pg 42)
3) Yes, as far as I know - I don't think you're penalised for showing advanced material! I've included some, and so have many of my friends.
Good luck with whatever you choose! And feel free to drop into the Japanese Soc!
Kimoso: Yes, self studying ...
Excalibur: I'm using a variety of resources to help me learn. For listening/oral practice I use www.japanesepod101.com and I have the 'Pimsleur' series for Japanese, 90 full audio lessons. I know the exams are based on reading and writing, but I feel that it is important that I become proficient in my aural and oral Japanese too. I'm using Heisig's 'Remember the Kanji' to learn the kanji, and 'Japanese for Busy People' as a general textbook. I also have other online resources I can consult such as 'Tae Kim's Japanese guide to Japanese grammar'. Yes, I will be entirely self-taught. I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to teach myself up to it; can you recommend good GCSE/AS/A2-level textbooks that I can use if nothing else to give me a good idea of where I should be? I imagine I'll just work up to it gradually. I may well end up working through GCSE without even knowing it, as I assume it is simply a natural progression of language like French was.
I do triple maths, chemistry and physics. When I get my results, I'll have two full A-levels (maths and further maths), and AS-levels in chemistry, physics and general studies. Yes, I will apply for maths almost certainly but I want to do something to do with Japanese as well, so I will continue studying it.
Ok, thank you very much for your response , much appreciated!
...Excalibur: I'm using a variety of resources to help me learn. For listening/oral practice I use www.japanesepod101.com and I have the 'Pimsleur' series for Japanese, 90 full audio lessons. I know the exams are based on reading and writing, but I feel that it is important that I become proficient in my aural and oral Japanese too. I'm using Heisig's 'Remember the Kanji' to learn the kanji, and 'Japanese for Busy People' as a general textbook. I also have other online resources I can consult such as 'Tae Kim's Japanese guide to Japanese grammar'. Yes, I will be entirely self-taught. I'm not entirely sure how I'm going to teach myself up to it; can you recommend good GCSE/AS/A2-level textbooks that I can use if nothing else to give me a good idea of where I should be? I imagine I'll just work up to it gradually. I may well end up working through GCSE without even knowing it, as I assume it is simply a natural progression of language like French was.
I do triple maths, chemistry and physics. When I get my results, I'll have two full A-levels (maths and further maths), and AS-levels in chemistry, physics and general studies. Yes, I will apply for maths almost certainly but I want to do something to do with Japanese as well, so I will continue studying it.
Ok, thank you very much for your response
, much appreciated!Well, if you put in 4-5 hours of work a day, I'm sure it's possible, especially if you are a natural linguist. It will be hard though and I wish you success
Perhaps you could try to get an E-tandem partner aswell, I find that things like that massively help to improve language skills!
Perhaps you could try to get an E-tandem partner aswell, I find that things like that massively help to improve language skills!
Simba
Thanks a lot . What do you mean by an 'E-tandem partner' ?
. What do you mean by an 'E-tandem partner' ?I take it she means someone who's also taking the course, or a speaker of the laguage to talk to on something like msn...
I'd certainly volunteer if it was Swedish you wanted to learn
Good luck with the Japanese Simba, I'm sure you can do it if you just are 20% as good at languages compared to what you are at maths
It depends really, I've gone from complete nothing to GCSE in about 12 months of proper study. However if I was truthfully honest, I could have got up to A-Level quite easily in the same time-frame, had I not had to do other things and procrastinated a little longer.
I would say self-studying handicaps you somewhat. Thank god I had sensei once a week to teach me things and correct my mistakes.
I would say self-studying handicaps you somewhat. Thank god I had sensei once a week to teach me things and correct my mistakes.
Reply 10
I have no idea, but I'd like to point you to the thread in my sig... And congratulate you on wanting to learn a language, it's rare nowadays.
And congratulate you on wanting to learn a language, it's rare nowadays. Reply 13
I think the numbers above the lists are the exam that the kanji are meant for. I mean you should know 200 for GCSE, 201-400 is AS Level then 401-600 is A2 Level. That's what I thought anyway. I don't know all 400 kanji for AS though.
I think that for the A2 exam you have to study about a city in Japan, and some literature too.. I am hoping to do that exam next summer too, but I have only had a brief look at a past paper so maybe someone else can give you more information on that.
I think that for the A2 exam you have to study about a city in Japan, and some literature too.. I am hoping to do that exam next summer too, but I have only had a brief look at a past paper so maybe someone else can give you more information on that.
Reply 14
So you are just being entered into the exam by your college then, i didn't know they could do that? I would love to take Japanese for A level....
If you go onto this website http://www.thejapanshop.com/ it has loads of Japanese books and resources to help your japanese. The good thing about is that they categories all the books into their different levels eg. Beginner upper beginner, intermediate etc etc. They also put a difficulty level on their for you so you can compare the books you already have in reference to what you will need in the future. Help it will be of some use to you!
If you go onto this website http://www.thejapanshop.com/ it has loads of Japanese books and resources to help your japanese. The good thing about is that they categories all the books into their different levels eg. Beginner upper beginner, intermediate etc etc. They also put a difficulty level on their for you so you can compare the books you already have in reference to what you will need in the future. Help it will be of some use to you!
Ok, thank you Gaijin/8gatsu3 ...
Lucrecia: I'm going to request to be, and they will allow me to almost certainly . Oooh, thanks for the link! I'll have a look at that site now hehe ...
Does anyone know which would be the best textbook series I could use to get me through GCSE and up to A-level standard ?
...Lucrecia: I'm going to request to be, and they will allow me to almost certainly
. Oooh, thanks for the link! I'll have a look at that site now hehe ...Does anyone know which would be the best textbook series I could use to get me through GCSE and up to A-level standard
?Reply 16
Oh cool so do you need to have a GCSE in a language then in order to do it? Sorry to be asking you the questions now lol! I want to take a japanese degree you see and i guess it would come in handy.
No problem for the link got to help out my fellow Japanese student right?
I've never actually seen any books which work from towards GCSE's and from that point to A levels. I have had a look out of interest and came up with nothing. I think your going to have to find out whats exactly in the specification and then learn it by picking out bits from some other textbooks. Hmm sorry not to be of anymore help.
No problem for the link got to help out my fellow Japanese student right?
I've never actually seen any books which work from towards GCSE's and from that point to A levels. I have had a look out of interest and came up with nothing. I think your going to have to find out whats exactly in the specification and then learn it by picking out bits from some other textbooks. Hmm sorry not to be of anymore help.
Reply 18
Simba
Ok, thank you Gaijin/8gatsu3 ...
Lucrecia: I'm going to request to be, and they will allow me to almost certainly . Oooh, thanks for the link! I'll have a look at that site now hehe ...
Does anyone know which would be the best textbook series I could use to get me through GCSE and up to A-level standard ?
...Lucrecia: I'm going to request to be, and they will allow me to almost certainly
. Oooh, thanks for the link! I'll have a look at that site now hehe ...Does anyone know which would be the best textbook series I could use to get me through GCSE and up to A-level standard
?I've been using the "Ultimate Japanese" book. I've used it from start and I've just done AS and still haven't finished it so it covers quite alot. I have also been using the "Japanese for Busy People" series and I used a book called "Japanese in 10 minutes a day" which is very basic stuff, but nice and colourful. Also I nearly forgot I've used "Japanese the Manga Way".
The Ultimate Japanese book has it's problems, (it won't teach you many kanji- it's mostly romaji, and it doesn't have that many exercises for you to do, you'll have to just make up your own sentences to practice the grammar you learn) but does have a lot of stuff in there and it's explained quite thoroughly. Mine came with CD's to go with the book and another set to listen to in the car etc, not sure if it always does.
The Japanese for Busy People series I think is poplular, I have been working through them in private lessons and they are good, but again alot of romaji (maybe you can buy a kana version though). They have lots of exercises for you to do.
Japanese in 10 Minutes a Day is not seriously going to get you very far, but I got a bit discouraged by the Ultimate Japanese, it made a nice change to do something nice and simple. It's good for learning some basic sentence structures and helpful words, but maybe you're already past that stage?
Japanese the Manga Way is very good, but I can't imagine using it alone, you need more vocab and example sentences than this offers I personally think. But it does cover alot of grammar and expressins and it covers all politeness levels (most books are very polite Japanese). It's fun to do too.
I personally find having more than one book to work from helpful because the variety keeps it more interesting, and I've found sometimes that different books explain different things better.
Also, if possible doing evening classes or something would probably really help with your speaking- as well as having a teacher to correct your mistakes.
Ultimate Japanese book-
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ultimate-Japanese-Basic-Intermediate-Living-Language/dp/0609802453/ref=sr_1_4/203-9285326-4802334?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187035896&sr=1-4
Japanese in 10 mins a day
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Japanese-Minutes-Day-Kristine-Kershul/dp/0944502369/ref=sr_1_1/203-9285326-4802334?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187036906&sr=1-1
Japanese the Manga Way
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Japanese-Manga-Way-Illustrated-Structure/dp/1880656906/ref=sr_1_1/203-9285326-4802334?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187037085&sr=1-1
Reply 19
Oh sorry I meant ANY language at GCSE? I never got the chance to take my language GCSEs cos of difficult circumstances. Its made my life so much harder because i wanna take a language degree. Well I'm going to stop talking about me now sorry, AGAIN Did you check out the website? I haven't tried them but the genki textbook series is supposed to be very good.
Did you check out the website? I haven't tried them but the genki textbook series is supposed to be very good.Related discussions
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