If you’re a student of Japanese language and culture, then there’s a high chance that you’ve heard of JLPT. It’s that big Japanese-language test that measures your ability to listen, speak, and effectively communicate thoughts and ideas in the language. The JLPT N1 is the hardest level of the test, and passing it is no simple task. The level of dedication one must express in order to prepare may seem overbearing to some. But it’s not impossible by any stretch.
The answer to this question depends on the individual and their past experience with kanji.The Japanese Language Education Center is a service that lists numerous Japanese language schools in Japan. They have their own list of recommended study hours for each level of JLPT. As with the previous list, this one has no explanation as to how these numbers came about, but it’s generally trusted to represent accurate figures. The needed hours of study for each level re as follows:
- JLPT Level 4 (N4): about 250 to 400 hours of recommended study
- JLPT Level 3 (N3): about 500 to 750 hours of recommended study
- JLPT Level 2 (N2): about 1400 to 2000 hours of recommended study
- JLPT Level 1 (N1): about 3100 to 4500 hours of recommended study
Something to keep in mind about the above list is that it describes the average study times for students who have no prior knowledge of kanji. For Asian students, or students who have studied Chinese in the past, these study times will be significantly less.
The above lists, and others that you can find around the web, do not detail how many of the stated hours are to be spent in the classroom, and how many of them are homework or self-study hours. Some people prefer to take classes, while many choose to self-teach using online resources.
How many hours a day should I study japanese?
A typical student would study about two hours per day (or about fourteen hours a week X 52 weeks = 728 hours) for an entire year.
I do have a basic knowledge of the Japanese language, including characters, grammar, kanji, and pronunciation. In the end, it comes down to you and your own goals.
A person’s advantage does not ensure success without the right attitude and hard work.
You should always remember that if anyone tells you it’s easy, they are lying. In the same way that English is an extremely difficult language to learn in the USA, Japanese is a similarly difficult language. Many shortcuts can be taken to make learning faster if you can do it. Even the Japanese people living in Japan attest that it’s not easy. Could you possibly be able to learn languages generally? Many factors determine whether or not it is possible.
How Long Does It Take to Pass JLPT N5?
The Japanese Language Proficiency Test is known as the standard for measuring your understanding of the Japanese language. Categorized into 5 different levels, JLPT is often taken by lots of foreigners that want to have proof of how much they understand the language. It is worthwhile to note that the JLPT N5 is the lowest and easiest level of the exam. Hence, it is likely the first level of the exam that you will take as you start learning Japanese.
how long does it take to pass N5? There is no straightforward answer. However, the quality and quantity of your study will determine the duration required to pass. Also, your native language can increase or decrease the time it will take you to pass N5.
Since time is always an essential factor for everyone, you will probably want to know how long it will take you to pass JLPT N5. Simply put, this is a tricky question as no thumb rule can be used for deciding the duration required for passing JLPT N5. This is because there are tons of factors that will affect your ability to pass N5.
Generally, N5 features different parts that are further grouped into 2 test sections – vocabulary/grammar and listening sections. To pass the example, you will have to learn some hiragana, katakana, and kanji characters.
To help you decide how long it will take to pass JLPT N5, let’s look at some important figures.
Figures about how long it will take pass JLPT N5
Basically, different sources have estimated how long it will take you to pass to JLPT N5. According to some individuals, you need about 462 hours of intense study to pass N5. This means that if you study around 4 hours every day, you will need about 115 days to pass N5. In other words, you will have to study for about 4 hours every day for 4 consecutive months.
However, can you concentrate to study for as much as 4 hours daily for about 4 months to pass the test? Do you have the right resources that are streamlined to help you focus on the most important things you need to pass N5? Do you have a tutor or want to attend classes that will help you track your progress? Do you have a knack for studying a new language? These are crucial questions that will help you determine how long it will take you to pass JLPT N5.
Having noted this, you should understand that you can pass the test if you can prepare for the test for about 6 months. This allows you to learn everything you need without putting excessive pressure on yourself.
Factors that affect the time it will take to pass N5
It is also important to understand that the time it will take Mr. A to pass N5 may be different from Mr. B regardless of their intelligence or passion for learning Japanese. This is because of certain factors that usually come into play. Below are the vital factors that affect how long it will take to pass JLPT N5.
- The time devoted to studying for the test
As suggested earlier, passing N5 is all about how long you spend studying for the test. If you spend only one hour every day studying for N5, it will take a longer period to pass the test than someone who spends as much as 6 hours daily.
Without a doubt, you need lots of hours to learn the basics of the language, practice, and also revise everything you have learned. Therefore, you must realize that the time you spend studying for the test will determine how long it will take you to pass the test.
- The languages you already understand
In general, the Japanese writing system is clearly different from the common writing system of Western languages. For instance, take a look at how you write a sentence in English and compare it to how you write in Japanese. You would agree that the two languages don’t look alike at all.
However, people that are already fluent in Korean, Chinese, and other related Asian languages have an advantage over others. This is because the languages already look alike; hence, it will be easier for them to learn Japanese.
Factually, studies have shown that individuals from some Asian countries spend less time to study before passing N5. Nonetheless, the reverse is the case for people whose native languages are French, English, and other related languages. As a result of this fact, your native language, or the languages you already understand will play a key role in determining how long it will take you to pass JLPT N5.
- Your method for studying for N5
Although the quantity of time spent on studying to pass N5 is essential, the importance of the quality of time cannot be overemphasized. Generally, some people have spent numerous hours studying to pass N5 without succeeding. This is because the strategy they used for studying for the test was not good.
So, if you want to study to pass N5, you must also consider the strategy you are using. You are likely going to spend less time on passing the exam if you learn in class or through an experienced tutor. It is necessary for you to know the right questions that will likely come out in the test. You can know this by studying past questions of the test. Also, you need to learn about the structure and duration of the study. Streamline your studies to fit the requirements for the test. Similarly, take practice questions in a real test condition.
In addition, N5 is a fundamental level of the test; hence, it examines your understanding of the basics of the Japanese language in different scenes. Therefore, you must apply your studies in real-life situations. Engage in conversations with other Japanese speakers, watch anime and other Japanese movies, listen to Japanese songs, and lots more.
Also, don’t overlook the need for you to get the right resources for the test. Notably, there are lots of resources online and offline.