I passed my JLPT N3

I finally passed my JLPT N3!

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) under joint organization of the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (previously Association of International Education, Japan) started in 1984 as a test to measure and certify the Japanese-language proficiency of those whose native language is not Japanese. 

– JLPT May 2012

This is my second attempt after 3 years… It was really hard to study by myself after I stopped attending Japanese class.  It doesn’t matter that I have a Japanese husband because we communicate in English most of the time.

Over the years, I have learn to accept the fact that exam results is just the end result of how well you fare and where to improve.

Previously, I was bad at all 3 sections (Vocabulary/Grammar, Reading & Listening). Over the years, my listening improved. This year, my reading improved too.

Guess I will need to work harder on my vocabulary/grammar.

The only way to improve language is to revise. I took a JLPT N3 preparation course with HKU Space. It was a 10 week course where the teacher would go through the exam papers with the students. The important part is to do the papers at home and go through the answers in class.

The teacher would explain how to “tackle” the question. However, I had a hard time understanding because he was speaking in Cantonese. He is Japanese but spoke fluent Cantonese.

I don’t know how I did it but I did. Some of the explanations (in Cantonese) I didn’t understand and I checked with my husband instead.

I also got some textbooks in Japan for my extra revision.