Japanese A level

15

I was wondering if anyone had taken Japanese at A level, and if they could tell me what level of Japanese you need to be at, if you get my meaning.

I've looked at the Edexcel specification and it's a bit confusing to be honest.

Also, would I be able to sit the exam at college even though they don't actually offer it? Would I have to pay myself?

Thanks!

Reply 1

Vjyrik

10

AnonyMatt

I was wondering if anyone had taken Japanese at A level, and if they could tell me what level of Japanese you need to be at, if you get my meaning.

I've looked at the Edexcel specification and it's a bit confusing to be honest.

Also, would I be able to sit the exam at college even though they don't actually offer it? Would I have to pay myself?

Thanks!

Look at a past paper and see if you're capable of understanding the texts and the questions given.

Reply 2

AnonyMatt

OP

15

Vjyrik

Look at a past paper and see if you're capable of understanding the texts and the questions given.

I already know I won't be able to understand one, I'm at a very basic level. :p:

Do you know where I can get a past paper?

Reply 3

Vjyrik

10

AnonyMatt

I already know I won't be able to understand one, I'm at a very basic level. :p:

Do you know where I can get a past paper?

Strange, that's the only content I could find (if you take Japanese with CIE): http://freeexampapers.com/Dndex.php?d=QSBMZXZlbC9KYXBhbmVzZS9DSUUvMjAwNiBOb3Y=
http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/uppersec/alevel/subject?assdef_id=790 (they might give the same thing, but this may be similar to Edexcel's level).

A similar thread has been brought up as well: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=13919869

And I couldn't find anything on Edexcel's own website for past papers.
I guess you'll have to read through the specification and so on.

Contacting Edexcel would be a good idea as well, preferably through your sixth form, who would be able to get some content for a fee or such.

I hope I was helpful. :smile:

Reply 4

Excalibur

15

AnonyMatt

I was wondering if anyone had taken Japanese at A level, and if they could tell me what level of Japanese you need to be at, if you get my meaning.

I've looked at the Edexcel specification and it's a bit confusing to be honest.

Also, would I be able to sit the exam at college even though they don't actually offer it? Would I have to pay myself?

Thanks!

It's quite difficult to say what standard you have to be - what kind of level do you think you are at now? Have you done the GCSE? How many years have you been learning? As a rough guide, you'd have to know about 400 kanji, on top of the basic kanji you'd have learnt at GCSE. You'd also have to write two 300-words or so essays, based on either Japanese literature or Japanese culture (history, contemporary society, etc). The grammar points you need to know are listed on the Edexcel spec.

You should be able to sit the exam at your college; you'd need to go and see your examination officer to see if they'd let you enter (I can't really see a reason why they'd refuse!). If they're nice they might pay for you, but more often than not you'd have to pay yourself - I think it's around £30 or so a unit (and there are 2 units in the whole A-level).

If you have any more specific questions feel free to ask. Bear in mind though that I was a native speaker, so I didn't receive any formal tuition.

Reply 5

AnonyMatt

OP

15

Vjyrik

Strange, that's the only content I could find (if you take Japanese with CIE): http://freeexampapers.com/Dndex.php?d=QSBMZXZlbC9KYXBhbmVzZS9DSUUvMjAwNiBOb3Y=
http://www.cie.org.uk/qualifications/academic/uppersec/alevel/subject?assdef_id=790 (they might give the same thing, but this may be similar to Edexcel's level).

A similar thread has been brought up as well: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=13919869

And I couldn't find anything on Edexcel's own website for past papers.
I guess you'll have to read through the specification and so on.

Contacting Edexcel would be a good idea as well, preferably through your sixth form, who would be able to get some content for a fee or such.

I hope I was helpful. :smile:

Thank you so much, it was very helpful! :yep:

Reply 6

TheLostProphet

My GCSE Japanese teacher told me not to bother with it, as he said the JLPT was a much more respected and useful qualification to have, especially in Japan. Might be an idea to focus on that instead.

Reply 7

AnonyMatt

OP

15

Excalibur

It's quite difficult to say what standard you have to be - what kind of level do you think you are at now? Have you done the GCSE? How many years have you been learning? As a rough guide, you'd have to know about 400 kanji, on top of the basic kanji you'd have learnt at GCSE. You'd also have to write two 300-words or so essays, based on either Japanese literature or Japanese culture (history, contemporary society, etc). The grammar points you need to know are listed on the Edexcel spec.

You should be able to sit the exam at your college; you'd need to go and see your examination officer to see if they'd let you enter (I can't really see a reason why they'd refuse!). If they're nice they might pay for you, but more often than not you'd have to pay yourself - I think it's around £30 or so a unit (and there are 2 units in the whole A-level).

If you have any more specific questions feel free to ask. Bear in mind though that I was a native speaker, so I didn't receive any formal tuition.

I'm not at any level,really! :p:

I can read most hirigana and some katakana, and now very few basic kanji. I'm currently learning all the technical stuff like word order and all the different verbs etc. I haven't taken the GCSE, and don't plan to.

I understand it's a difficult language (from English) and it's very unrealistic to think that I'd be able to reach a good enough standard to get a good grade at A level. I was just curious as to what level that actually was, and how I could, hypothetically, go about taking the exam.

Thanks so much for your help! :smile:

Reply 8

clozet

Hi

My school is a language college, and offers Japanese as a GCSE and this year as an AS level, next year as A2. Last year @ GCSE, we had 100% A*- B pass rate. I have several friends who got an A*, and carried on with it at A Level. However...when the AS results came out last thursday i think we were all a little shocked...something like 6/8 people got a U, one person got an E and one a D. Unless you're a native speaker, I probably wouldnt even consider the A level....!

Reply 9

AnonyMatt

OP

15

TheLostProphet

My GCSE Japanese teacher told me not to bother with it, as he said the JLPT was a much more respected and useful qualification to have, especially in Japan. Might be an idea to focus on that instead.

Thanks, that's a great idea!

Reply 10

michaelyus

10

AnonyMatt

I was wondering if anyone had taken Japanese at A level, and if they could tell me what level of Japanese you need to be at, if you get my meaning.

I've looked at the Edexcel specification and it's a bit confusing to be honest.

Also, would I be able to sit the exam at college even though they don't actually offer it? Would I have to pay myself?

Thanks!

http://eiewebvip.edexcel.org.uk/Reports/Confidential%20Documents/0806/6661_01_que_20080519.pdf
http://eiewebvip.edexcel.org.uk/Reports/Confidential%20Documents/0806/6662_01_que_20080609.pdf

The markscheme for Unit 1 was up for access...but it's been made password-protected now. It may have been downloaded by someone - I dunno.

Reply 11

sambuk

i disagree with the person that said i wouldnt even bother trying to A-level. But it is a big step up from GCSE....so i wouldnt bother trying if you got a low GCSE mark. I think you've got to be really dedicated to learning the kanji and grammar, and with text books(you can find a list of recommended appropriate text books on the internet quite easily)and past papers you can pretty easily teach yourself the A-level. I got A* at GCSE and A at AS last year. I remember being EXTREMELY daunted and put off when i first saw AS standard at the start of the year, and when i saw A2 i thoguht there's no way i can do this in 2 years.....but as i worked through the course it just seemed more and more achievable....and in the end i found the exam pretty accessible....all you need is a good standard to start with(definetely GCSE and some extra reading....buy a textbook...id recommend genki1&2) and just keep up with your kanji and grammar...but if youve just started and know the odd few words and sentences you definetely need to get studying...id say at least finish genki 1 as a standpoint.....the kanjis in there are pretty sdimilar to the GCSE ones.............sorry for the essay but hope that helps.
id highly recommend it

Reply 12

consuelo200865

I did Japanese A level in 1999. I was required to read and write 860 Kanji.
You will need to know the grammar inside out because there will be grammar questions such as " explain the difference between taberaremasu and tabesasemasu, or explain the difference between darou and deshou (just a small sample)...you will be allowed to do it in English. There will be a Japanese text to read and comprehend followed by questions with a very small glossary attached (just for less familiar words). Your answers will be in Japanese using Kanamajiri.
On the second day there will be a translation from English into Japanese without glossary and, given 3 titles, a free essay in Japanese with a minimum number of characters, using Kanamajiri.
To say the truth, I am Italian and Italian is my first language therefore I had to do it as an exam from one foreign language to another; I did it in England with S.Vincent College Gosport,London Examination General Certificate of Education as an external student. I passed with a B mark. it isn't difficult if you are dedicated to it.

My suggestion is: get as many past papers as you can get. They should be available. Study them carefully and if you think you are ready...GAMBATTE!!!!

Reply 13

Ydde

The OP has probably finished their A-levels by now. ;-)

Reply 14

marmotlord

I have been studying japanese gcse as an afterschool subject and wish to continue it for as level. However, at my school the head is closing down japanese, i would be allowed to take the test at schl but would have to study at home. I have done welll at gcse level and havent had any problem with past gcse papers (i take take the exam this summer). I was just wondering how big a step up it was
*edit* ok thanks 4 alll the help, another little Q: is it neccesary to have a teacher or would it b possible to learn on my own with the help of a native speaking freind?

(edited 14 years ago)

Japanese A level

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