I’ve just discovered your (very interesting) blog, and just noticed a little something that surprise me at the beggining of this article :

The first picture reads : “konshu wa nani o suru tumori desu ka”

And you translate it by : “What are you planning to do on this weekend ?”

Now, my japanese is nowhere near the required level to pass JLPT N1, so I may be mistaken but… “weekend ?” Really ?

Julien

I'm going to post a bit more about what study methods I found effective here soon… But basically my number one recommendation (what worked for me, anyway) is to read books and listen to the radio frequently. It's not as boring in the long run as textbooks… And start now, not in June/July and you'll have much more leeway you know.

My email is "falck.nu" but with the "a" substituted by an "@", and I'm registered under that email address on skype as well. Please feel free to get in touch.

Thanks for posting your blog.
Came across your blog using JLPT Level 1.

I have just passed L2 last year and would like to push for L1 this year (before the format change).

I am also a software programmer, but am mostly using Java and C++ for Web and Multi-Function printers, respectively. Not that hard-core though.

I also checked your Japanese for Programmers, very nice.

Anyway, my post is mainly to request for your advice for a possible study plan.

My outlook is to start by June/July.

If you're willing to exchange email/skype ids, I'd appreciate it.

You can reach thru my profile or eastmaels -at-
yahoo -dot- com.

I am currently in Hyogo, Japan.

Thanks.

I just wrote about how the test went for me here. I took it at Tokyo Institute of Technology at Midorigaoka, Meguro-ku. Yes the listening might have been a little bit unusual, if not harder. As far as I can remember there was nothing about weekdays/time, like what day in the week someone will end up doing something or going somewhere, which is strange.

I guess you can order Japanese books from Amazon Japan? Right now my jlpt 1 studies consist mostly of reading ordinary books in Japanese and looking up the things I don't understand… both entertaining and good for learning.

I don't know much about jobs outside of IT, but if you have a jlpt 1 certificate then many doors should be open… if you know some exotic language as well, I suppose you can find a job doing translations. If you have some other education/qualification as well then that's better though of course… My recommendation would be that you make sure you pass jlpt 1 and then get yourself over here and go talk to a couple of recruiters (of which there are too many…) and go to interviews for a month or two until something good comes up…

I'm working for Picsel Technologies. Getting a programming job in Tokyo shouldn't be too hard if you've got the skills and qualifications, or are willing to work for an eikaiwa salary. You don't need to know Japanese. But I imagine you have more free time to learn Japanese as long as you're teaching…