Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students

[Fyrefly]

Hey jibba, any tips for not failing N1 in 24 days? 

[moveovermodels]

@moreovermodels

Sure, I can have a look at essays for you. But is it okay if I post the corrections to this thread? (I think it could help others too as this is a communal thread )

Re: time management strategy
I posted how I went about allocating time in the exam in my first post (just reposting it here)

Spoiler

My Exam Strategy & Tips

Reading Time: 15 mins
Spend at least 5 mins deciding a topic for Section 3: Writing and coming up with a plan in your head
Spend around 5 minutes reading Section 2: Reading in Japanese (looking up words you don't know in dictionary)
Spend remainder of time getting familiar with Listening questions, if you finish quickly go back to reading comprehension

Listening Section: 30 mins
Answer in English
Take notes in English
This section is about translating Japanese into English as accurately and exactly as you can. I made the example between 料理（りょうり）を作ったことがない vs 料理を作ることができない on the second page of this thread.
The translation of these two into English is different. 'I have never cooked' vs 'I cannot cook'
The markers will be particular about vague translations

Students aiming for a high score should try to get all the answers during the first listening (using the second listening for confirming answers)
(In my exam, I was able to get all of them except one part in the first listening)
Use any extra time for planning your writing or for reading comprehension (Obviously make sure you got the answers in English correct and written down first)
 
Answer in Japanese
Take notes in ROOMAJI (my technique) - Try to write down exactly what you hear into roomaji
If there are words you cannot understand or hear completely, attempt to write down what you hear. It might lead you to getting the correct answer later on 

This section is about copying the Japanese you hear and correctly putting it as the response to the relevant question
They don't want you to change the way they say it, you can simply just copy it as they say it
You may need to phrase your answer to suit the way the question is asked.
For example with last year's paper, you could've summarised the three advantages into one paragraph. Although you could also have three individual sentences
 
Reading Comprehension Section: 40-45 mins
Answer in English
Maybe spend 15-20 mins on this section, but it depends on length of texts and number of texts
Same as I said above, try translate the Japanese into English as accurately as you can

Answer in Japanese
(The killer section and the one where the good students set them selves apart from the rest)
Try to correctly use as much VCE grammar as you can in your responses (use it appropriately though) [Random Tip: I used to use ～そうです (I heard) to end answers where you had to provide information from the text]
Make sure all the VCE Kanji is used in your responses
Stating the obvious, but make sure your response answers the question completely! Do not add unnecessary information for the sake of using grammar

Writing Section: 30 mins
The suggested time is 50 mins, but the quicker you can finish the more time you will have to re-check all of your answers and fix mistakes
Students aiming for 40+ should try to finish in 30 mins
In my exam, I wrote a story as every year the least amount of students attempt that one. Doesn't mean everyone should write a story, but if you are confident in your Japanese it might be easier to score better writing the least popular topic.
Choose the topic you are most confident with.

If you can follow those time suggestions you should have 15-20 mins at the end to re-check everything
In my exam, I had around 15 minutes, which I used to fix kanji, spelling of words, and minimise as many grammatical errors as I could
Personally I think the re-checking time is crucial, because in my case I found a lot of silly errors in my responses, which I was able to fix because I left time at the end.

TL;DR
You should aim to finish your writing piece in 30-35 minutes (I finished it in 30 minutes). This will give you 15-20 minutes to double check your responses and fix grammar/spelling/kanji mistakes in the rest of your exam. I believe that having this extra time double checking really helped me achieve my 50 score because I found many little mistakes that would've lost me those crucial marks in that time. Under exam pressure, you will inevitably make silly mistakes so it's good to try and practice writing your essay in 30 mins rather than 50 so you have extra time to check your exam paper at the end.

re: improving listening skils
It's quite late, but there is still a lot you can do. Other than past exams I found that doing textbook listening problems really helps you improve and get used to certain grammars, learn new vocab, and help you identify the relevant/irrelevant pieces you need from the dialogue.
I can't post links to the textbooks. But the listening problems from Genki 1 (later exercises) and 2 textbooks are good. Just google 'Genki workbook download' 'genki listening download'. Also if you haven't done listening exercises to your Wakatta textbook make sure to do them!
Just memorising vocab from your textbook is also a good way to prepare too (if you have done all the past exams).

Thanks heap! As the website isn't allowing my essay to upload as it is a big file (sorry I handwrite it), is there any way I could send it to via email? 

[jibba]

Sure send it through to [email protected]
I'll try get a response to you by tomorrow!

[jibba]

Hey jibba, any tips for not failing N1 in 24 days? 

I'm fully expecting to have to do it again next year. I still haven't started N1 kanji/grammar yet Σ（ﾟдﾟlll）

[Fyrefly]

I'm fully expecting to have to do it again next year. I still haven't started N1 kanji/grammar yet Σ（ﾟдﾟlll）

Same same. I know I'm going to fail, but I'm interested in knowing by how much.

[Deshouka]

Hi Jibba,

I remember you coming to MHS two years ago and giving us a motivational speech about how you achieved a 50 in Japanese. 
Anyways, I'm considering doing Dialects(Kansai-ben) for my detailed study and I've got some points so far:

1. Definition/ History of Kansai-ben
2. Japanese people and those studying Japanese perceptions' of dialects/learning dialects (in comparison to Standard Japanese)
3. Use of Kansai-ben in comedy etc.
4. Dialect as a means of identity
5. Benefits of studying Kansai-ben

Do you think this is alright? Thanks

[jibba]

@Deshouka

Hardly motivational I think.

I think your detailed study topic is very well thought out!
Maybe another point you might need to touch on in addition to those is any problems/negative points associated with kansai ben. And maybe your opinion/solution in relation to those problems. Usually examiners ask about a negative/problem point associated with your topic so you would need to prepare that I would think.

Good outline though! I like it!

[kani]

Hi jibba,

Thank you for the reply to my PM earlier, it was very helpful
After a bit of brainstorming and digging, I am now considering doing "Valentine's Day customs in Japan" for my detailed study topic; a basic outline looks something like this:

• The custom of gifting chocolate
• "White Day"
• Differences to Australia/Western countries
• Economical and other benefits

I haven't really expanded on many of these but I was wondering if I could hear your thoughts on this ^^;;
Thank you!

[jibba]

Hi kani,

Those points are good starters. I think you should put in some problems/negative points associated with valentine's day customs and your suggested solutions/opinions in relation to those problems. Some type of negative point would usually be asked by the examiners I would think so I'd prepare that too!
Other than that, very good topic and sub-areas!

Good luck!
Also you could reference Korea's 'Black Day' on April 14 if you wanted, or China's Single's day, just for comparisons too!

[Mieow]

Does anyone have a copy of this year's exam?

[kani]

Hi kani,

Those points are good starters. I think you should put in some problems/negative points associated with valentine's day customs and your suggested solutions/opinions in relation to those problems. Some type of negative point would usually be asked by the examiners I would think so I'd prepare that too!
Other than that, very good topic and sub-areas!

Good luck!
Also you could reference Korea's 'Black Day' on April 14 if you wanted, or China's Single's day, just for comparisons too!

Ok, thank you so much!!

[RazzMeTazz]

Is there a difference between 行きます（いきます）and 行きます（ゆきます）?

Thanks!

[jibba]

There's no difference in meaning! ゆきます just sounds more poetic than いきます

[RazzMeTazz]

There's no difference in meaning! ゆきます just sounds more poetic than いきます

Thankyou!

[RazzMeTazz]

Hi, I recently learnt that the word '同様’ can be used to mean 'In the same way..'

So I was wondering if anybody could confirm if I was using it correctly, and if not correct my sentence?

If I wanted to say " I like meat in the same way I like fruits" would this be correct:

くだ物が好きです。同様に、肉が好きです。

Thanks!