4 In Japanese learning journey (:/ N2 Journey

Time to get a new bookshelf

I need a bookshelf, not more books.

Then again, when I think of how many books a bookshelf can buy….

..

well, you guessed correctly. I bought another Japanese book!! :/

I know I’ve said NO MORE Japanese novels, but this is a TEXTBOOK, a T-E-X-T-B-O-O-K

In any case, it was a tough decision.

I knew what I wanted: something to help me in N2 grammar rules.

I have a grammar dictionary and a JLPT N2 prep book that lists N2 grammar by the hiragana order and it wasn’t the ideal way of learning grammar.

So I stood in front of the Japanese learning shelf in Kinokuniya for 30 minutes or so and finally zero-ed in to one book that I am pretty satisfied with – 新完全マスター文法N2

N2grammar

To make sure that it was not an impulse buy, I went to do something else and came back to kino an hour later.

And bought it. hahahaha.

This is not a review but I quite like how they group similar grammar points together in a chapter so that I can (hopefully) see the differences between them.

N2grammar1

Funny to think that I’m going to be taking N2 this year. When I was a kid, I looked up to those who learn a foreign language and somehow I just thought that I wouldn’t be able to do it. In Singapore, there is a foreign language programme that you can sign up for in middle school provided that you are ranked the top 10% of the cohort in the national entrance exams at the end of elementary school. I guess that also contributed to my younger self’s belief that foreign language learning are for the brainy people. (Okay I think I was also eligible but never signed up as my mum probably felt that it might pull my other grades down, make me too stressed and that I wasn’t good enough. My memories are pretty hazy by now (more than 10 years ago…) but I guess I also thought that I wasn’t good enough)

I also always get the impression that JLPT 2 and 1 are REALLY hard to pass and you would need to be reallyyyyyyy good to pass them. I haven’t tried the tests so I wouldn’t know, but it’s still unfortunate that the younger me (and maybe some people now) saw foreign language learning as a scary, high and imposing wall.

Actually, once you get down to it, language learning isn’t as foreign or tough as people make it to be. It’s just sad that that impression may have prevented people from even trying in the first place.

mm I wonder how things would have been if I had taken up the foreign language programme back in middle school. I would have chosen Japanese then. But come to think of it, I wasn’t sure how the 13 year old me would like language learning. Personally, I don’t think I’ll take to it too well. Likely to be memorising words like there’s no tomorrow and end up seeing it as a chore? hahaha.

Just some thoughts.

Was reading my old post on going for JLPT N3 and passing it. ahh time flies!!

Time to work harder!

[line]

UPCOMING TALK!

I’ll blog about it in a separate entry but in case I forget…

I’ll be giving a short and small talk on learning Korean and Japanese next Friday at the Careers and Education Convention held in the Suntec Convention Halls from 12-14 March.

My talk will be on 13 March (Fri), 5.00pm – 5.20pm and I’ll also be one of the panelists in the discussion on language learning on 14 March (Sat), 12pm!

If you are free, come down and support me! You can find more info on the fair here!

[scheduled post]

 

You Might Also Like

4 Comments

  • Reply
    Natsu
    5 March, 2015 at 11:04 AM

    Hello! I came across your site while looking for Korean stuff (I just came from the post on how to order food delivery in Korea :p). Saw your purchase of the 完全マスター book and just wanted to share that it’s really an awesome series. I have the old version, for JLPT3-4, and it’s really useful. Good luck in your N2 exam, be sure to really concentrate on the listening!

    • Reply
      Hangukdrama
      7 March, 2015 at 11:24 AM

      hahahaha omg that post ><;;; heh Thank you!! I really like the book!

  • Reply
    Chantelle
    8 March, 2015 at 10:42 AM

    I am also using this book for my N2 preparation and I quite like it. The Shin Kanzen Master series is pretty reliable I reckon.

    Good luck for N2 ^^

    • Reply
      Hangukdrama
      17 March, 2015 at 8:59 AM

      Thanks!!

    Leave a Reply