Book collector rehab (actually reading what you own accountability thread)

[durutticolumn]

Guess it depends, here it is 7000 yen, in my country it would have been 20k yen when I last lived there (and usually once a year).

[cafelatte]

Yeah I would say its def cheaper in Japan

[CatDQ]

@durutticolumn

I think also in Japan it is cheaper, widely available, and even if you are not at language school there are lots of external motivations (visa points) to trying to hail mary a pass mark.

That makes sense and tbf, if I was in Japan for a time and the JLPT was available, I’d be more likely to try it to see where I fall.

@durutticolumn

I can’t remember where I saw it, but a breakdown I saw showed people in Japan score lower in every category but higher in listening, which checks out for being surrounded by the language in daily life.

Totally understandable, if you’re around it 24/7, you’re learning it similar to your native tongue so will have better natural listening ability, and possibly better innate spoken grammar as well, even if your writing and reading isn’t quite up to par.

@Special_Guest

Unless Im misreading the data, doesnt seem like that percentage is actually that higher. With the exception of N2/1.

Yeah, I noticed that too. Though there may also be less people outside of Japan sticking with it into N2 and N1, or it could be that those outside of Japan that needed N3 for jobs, then take the N2 and N1 once they are in Japan and have said job.

@Special_Guest

Anyway, stats are fun to look at from time to time. Wonder if they are starting to hit venue spacing limits with no longer allowing foreigners to take the test in Japan. Or if its a weird thing to curb over tourism?

They are fun. Gives more insight and I always find it interesting. Could be a bit of both, especially with the more recent issues with tourists.

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I would say definitely cheaper in Japan. In Scotland it was £100 (20,000¥) and I think it’s increased this year too

[Special_Guest]

Yup, I was converting in the wrong direction lol.

@CatDQ

Though there may also be less people outside of Japan sticking with it into N2 and N1

I didnt even notice that, I would assume most people hit N3 and since thats the level most outsiders consider “fluent” might just stop and coast there. I probably would unless I thought it would become super easy but even then, only if it would get me a pay raise. No reason to study for it if it wont help you.

Wasnt it also just until recently you only needed N3 to get a decent (read livable) paying Job in Japan? Not reason to study more for a test unless its going to actually get you something once you have the quote unquote “qualifications”. Though I though I heard through the grapevine a lot of companies are aiming for N2 level candidates now.

[nminer]

N2 has been the minimum required by most companies for over a decade now. Not going to out how old I am, but that was always the requirement I saw on job postings/was told back when I first started considering working in Japan. At least for typical 9-5 jobs with a regular company.

That being said, I think plenty of people have gotten jobs with N3, especially for part-time jobs or more international/foreigner friendly ones, as JLPT isn’t a very good indicator of how well you can actually use the language.

There have been recent changes to visa requirements that are now explicitly calling for N2, so that may be why people are talking about it more?

[CatDQ]

@Special_Guest

No reason to study for it if it wont help you

Yeah, that was my thinking. I’m not heading for a job in Japan (unless something major happens) but I am planning to continue learning at my own pace. Maybe in the future possibly going for the JLPT N3/ N2 and eventually N1 if only for the fact I can use that for certain job opportunities. Whether I actually go for the JLPT or not has no bearing on my continuation of studying the language as this is purely a hobby for me to enjoy and once I reach a certain level, being able to read, watch or listen to whatever I want as well as being able to navigate once I do go to Japan to meet friends/ their family as well as typical holiday talk.

@Special_Guest

Wasnt it also just until recently you only needed N3 to get a decent (read livable) paying Job in Japan? Not reason to study more for a test unless its going to actually get you something once you have the quote unquote “qualifications”. Though I though I heard through the grapevine a lot of companies are aiming for N2 level candidates now.

Yeah, it was changed recently and now most places legally need N2 and I’ve heard that for things you wouldn’t legally need JLPT for previously are now asking for certificate proof of N2 or N1 level. I’ve even heard that some rental places are asking for proof as well alongside the other things they asked for previously, though unsure why that would be.