Year 10 doing Year 11 Japanese (skip a year)

[Dapuccino]

I currently wish to skip a year of Japanese, straight to unit 1 and 2. I am currently in year 9 and have to apply to get into Unit 1 and 2 for Japanese.

This is the reason why:
-The whole of this year I have learnt ABSOLUTELY NOTHING because I learnt it all at my old school the previous yr (they are one year behind)
-I am more advanced than my peers
-I have more time in year 10 and LOTE takes up a lot of time
-Which is why many students doing LOTE OUTSIDE of school is doing it in yr 10 but normal schools don't allow this.

Now according to them, I have to take a entrance exam. But the thing is this is like a selective test–you don't know what's on it, they won't even tell you because apparently you don't prepare for it, they are testing what you know. Do you guys think this is right?

I strongly disagree on this. Unless I am native Japanese then I will pass (like my friend did) and I can prepare for it but they won't tell me what's on it...? I had to pressure them to tell me. I strongly think this is wrong but the teachers are annoying me so much saying, well this is a what-you-already-know-test.

I have my recommendation letter from my teacher and my reports to prove them that I can do it, regardless of my low score on the entrance test. Because I will catch up even if I fail now and I want to prove that but they won't allow it.

Do you guys have any advice of what to do in this situation?
Have you been through a similar situation and what have you done to convince/prove to them?

Thank you!

[LifeisaConstantStruggle]

If you think you're capable of skipping a year to do Jap SL 1/2 go for it I did Indonesian 3/4 without any previous knowledge on the language so it's gonna be okay if you try hard enough.
The test would probably be the best indicator (I'm not sure) on your level, and it can be used to determine if you are apt to do Jap SL 1/2 or not, I don't know if it is fair for you to do the test without any preparation, but under these circumstances I guess the only thing you can do is to try your best for the test.
What level do you think you'd be in Japanese? (I'm not doing VCE Japanese but I'm familiar with the JLPT standards so if you can tell me the specific N5-N1 level you might think you'd fit that'd be great) For unit 1 and 2 Japanese I think going through your notes in year 9+getting revision through textbooks (Genki 1 and 2 if you have it, or higher level books like Tobira) would be the best way for you to prepare for the test. If you have friends in year 10 you might wanna ask them for their Japanese resources, so you'll know what the year 10 standard is like (they might test you on this level so yeah).

http://www.tanos.co.uk/jlpt/

Here's a cool resource you can take a look at (a website I used for most of my Jap assessment revision, though I'm not doing VCE Jap). It's very dependent on self-learning but you can try to get around this to see where you're at, or what you can improve on etc.


Mod edit - merged double posts. To avoid double posting, you can click "modify" on your original post to add any further thoughts to it

[Dapuccino]

I did Indonesian 3/4 without any previous knowledge on the language so it's gonna be okay if you try hard enough.

Wow that's amazing! You must be very hardworking, is it going well for you, the tests and all that? Did you have to do an entrance test as well?

Thanks guys for all the resources! I guess I will just have to do my best (btw I've already done it but I failed it and they are allowing me to do it again because the first one I didn't have the right amount of time to do it.)

I'm just thinking of arguments right now because I would need them for tomorrow when I speak to the VCE Japanese teacher xD
What should I say...? Regardless of my test, just about my abilities...

Thanks guys for the help!

[LifeisaConstantStruggle]

HAHAHAHAA BRUH CHILL DUDE, you can maybe try telling her that you'll be motivated to study and catch up (year 9-11 might be a big jump, who knows?) and actually do your best in the test. Good luck
I actually did the 3/4 last year (as a year 11), and I didn't do an entrance test..(?), and I didn't work SUPER hard last year, it's year 11 so i had heaps of time.

[Dapuccino]

HAHAHAHAA BRUH CHILL DUDE, you can maybe try telling her that you'll be motivated to study and catch up (year 9-11 might be a big jump, who knows?) and actually do your best in the test. Good luck
I actually did the 3/4 last year (as a year 11), and I didn't do an entrance test..(?), and I didn't work SUPER hard last year, it's year 11 so i had heaps of time.

BUT DUDE THE TEACHERS ARE SO STUBBORN D::::
I need some really WOW points to shoot at them
I'm scared if I fail again, that's why I want to convince them without me doing the test again

P.S You sound like a really chill dude, I wish I was you

[www]

I know this probably isn't the ideal reply but... language proficiency indicator tests exist, as you said, to test you on what you already know. Meaning, knowing what's on it/what's being tested is counter-intuitive to determining what level you currently sit at. It may seem unfair, but this is exactly how language proficiency tests are meant to work. It isn't a 'test', it's more of an 'indicator' so they know you are at a standard that's acceptable to keep up with the course (and at a standard that is equivalent or beyond what students entering VCE Jap 1/2 are meant to be at).

I can't speak for how your test is structured, but all you can do is go over what you already know, as you are attempting to demonstrate your current capabilities, rather than demonstrating that you can answer the questions simply because you were able to specifically study for them based on knowing what's on it. Other options would be to try to get resources from other students to see what's been covered.

If you are confident in your abilities, and your abilities are as good as you describe them, this test shouldn't stop you. Good luck!

[Dapuccino]

UPDATE:

Thanks guys for all your help! I got into VCE Japanese Unit 1 and 2, cramming in a week of restless studying It all paid off

If anyone is in a similar situation as I am, please feel free to contact me about it and I will help you out