Many people have an interest in learning Japanese. If you are here, you might be one of them yourself. One Japanese language program you might have discovered is the JLPT N5. But you are not sure if you should invest time and money in it or keep looking for a better program.
Is the JLPT N5 worth it? The JLPT is a formal way to measure your comprehension of the Japanese Language. As well as being the globally recognized benchmark for the Japanese language, taking the JLPT can mean preferential treatment at companies, schools, and the immigration system.
The JLPT N5 will give you a good start to learning the language. Covering around 800 words, 100 Kanji, and about 100 grammar points, this level of the JLPT focuses primarily on teaching common words and learning the building blocks of Japanese grammar and sentence formation. We will explain the program in more detail and cover the pros and cons to help you make an informed decision.
The Purpose of the JLPT N5
The primary objective of the JLPT N5 is to test your ability to read basic Kanji, hiragana, katakana, and listen and comprehend daily topics when someone is speaking slowly. The test will also cover basic particle usage. This includes formal and casual conjugations or verbs and adjectives for the past and the present tense.
JLPT N5 eligibility is reserved for non-native Japanese speakers and those that hold Japanese citizenship. Some native speakers use the coursework as a measuring tool for their competency in the language, but they are not allowed to participate in the exams. There are no age restrictions for the JLPT.
There is no restriction on the number of times you can take a JLPT exam. If you fail an exam, you can retake it during the next exam period. The price of the exam differs from country to country. On average, it costs fifty USD to take the JLPT N5 exam. This does not include any course material you may purchase ahead of time.
In Japan, the exams are hosted by the Japan Educational Exchanges and Services. Overseas, the exams are hosted by the Japan Foundation with cooperation from local hosting institutions. The JLPT N5 exam is a combination of reading and listening with multiple-choice questions.
A computer scores the test, and a total of 180 points are available on the exam. Eighty points are needed to pass the JLPT N5 exam. Exam results are issued in writing, and students who pass are provided with a certificate corresponding to their level of completion. JLPT certificates do not have an expiry date.
What does the JLPT N5 certification do for me?
Passing the N5 certification demonstrates the ability of a person to understand basic Japanese vocabulary and sentences. Passing the N1 test means that an individual can converse in daily conversations and read newspapers, articles, and books written in native Japanese.
Some would argue that passing the N1 means you are bi-lingual. Some would say that passing the N1proves that you have a level of Japanese that allows you to understand this language in many circumstances but is still far from being fluent.
There are no specific guidelines or promises when choosing which level of the JLPT to take. You may wish to take the N5 to brush up on the basics and plan for a worthwhile vacation. You may be considering moving to Japan and want to be able to converse confidently in Japanese. In that case, the N5 would simply be a starting point, and you may finish with the N3 or N2.
You may be looking to pivot your career and require the N1 level to go into the marketplace in your chosen field confidently. Regardless of your life situation, your decision to take the JLPT N5 or higher will be a personal decision based on what you want to achieve.
It takes time, effort, and resources to start learning any language. How much you are willing to invest is up to you. Let’s look at some pros and cons to help determine is the JLPT N5 is worth it for you.
PROS of the JLPT N5
Have you ever picked up a language book or guidebook and wondered, “where do I even start?” When learning a new language, everyone must start somewhere, but knowing where to start or how to start can be one of the hardest decisions. Rest assured, the JLPT N5 is a globally recognized starting point for learning the Japanese language.
For some, the DIY approach is the right approach, but for most people, having a proven system to follow means a higher likelihood of learning and retaining the material. The JLPT takes the guesswork out of the equation by laying out five distinct levels and a clear starting point.
It makes you more marketable for overseas jobs
As the globally recognized measure of Japanese language comprehension, the JLPT can be used on visa applications, school enrollment forms, and resumes when applying for jobs. Passing the JLPT N5 is an excellent addition to your resume when applying for jobs in Japan.
It tells prospective employers that you have some knowledge of the language and serves as proof of your proficiency. Even achieving the lowest level, JLPT N5, can make be the difference-maker when employers are considering job applicants to interview.
Demonstrates your ability to understand written and spoken Japanese
The JLPT N5 focuses mostly on understanding grammar and vocabulary, which are the building blocks of reading and listening skills. Reading skills and listening skills are arguably the most important skills when comprehending a new language. They are survival skills. They are the first skills needed to establish some self-reliance with a new place and a new language.
Passing the N5 will establish some self-reliance for those looking to travel to Japan and become submerged in a foreign culture. As an example, if you are traveling to Japan for the first time, passing the N5 won’t help you converse fluently with the locals. However, it will help you read signs and get around without needing to stop and refer to a guide book every ten steps or hire a travel guide just to get you from the airport to your hotel.
It can provide you with the ability to converse with locals and get out of trouble
Having the ability to pick up on a keyword or two in a conversation is sometimes all you need to be able to engage in a conversation and be polite and respectful. You might not be fully conversational, but being able to handle basics, such as asking for help, can keep you out of a sticky situation.
Being able to see a keyword or two on a sign or map can keep you from getting lost and help you navigate a new place confidently. Thus, reducing the stress for new travelers and students entering a foreign culture. Being able to formulate basic sentences will go a long way to earning the respect of locals.
It can help with your ability to engage with native Japanese speakers
Besides being considered survival skills, reading and listening will make you a better speaker. Picking up on keywords and key sentence structures will help you engage with the world around you.
As you can listen to other people speaking the language, you will be able to start understanding ideas, concepts, and the proper way to say things. It will also help you with nuances like timing, voice inflections, pronunciation, and accents.
Listening skills will allow you to comprehend basic conversations about regular topics that you will encounter in daily Japanese life. Outside of classroom situations, listening skills acquired in the JLPT N5 will allow you to pick up necessary information in short conversations when spoken slowly. Again, lending to a sense of self-reliance and enjoyment as you interact with the Japanese culture around you.
The amount of effort needed to pass the JLPT N5 improves your overall Japanese.
Taking the N5 course will expose you to Kanji, comprehension exercises, and you will be reading articles frequently. When gaining a baseline competency in any language, you need to learn key basics while also casting a wide net.
Learning keywords and phrases is an important starting point; however, diving into the culture and the written word will help you excel past anyone who is simply memorizing how to say “hello,” “goodbye,” and ask where the bathroom is. All the above helps your overall competency in the language.
The JLPT N5 is not just a tool for job hunting and finding your way around a new city. It also offers a sense of accomplishment and confidence. Learning a new language is not easy. For many, being able to comprehend the basics of the Japanese language is a source of pride and satisfaction.
The JLPT is a measure of your interest in the language and your dedication to understanding Japanese culture. Completing the JLPT N5 sets you up for the other levels of the JLPT and a life-long proficiency in the language.
Helps to expose your strengths and weaknesses in learning the Japanese language
Taking the JLPT N5 will show you what your strengths and weaknesses are in learning the Japanese language. While some would argue that the JLPT N5 test is too easy, it does prove that you are capable of simple conversations. This is just barely enough to get around the country when you visit Japan if you will, the equivalent to kindergarten English.
However, it does help establish your strengths and weaknesses when learning and using the language, which is important. This way, you can work on your weaknesses and rely on your strengths as you proceed through the JLPT ranks. For example, knowing that grammar is a weakness of yours will help you study more efficiently in the future.
CONS
The JLPT is not a complete assessment.
It only focuses on listening, reading, and grammar. It does not test speaking ability and barely tests writing ability. The exam, being multiple-choice, will test your comprehension, but not your speaking ability or writing ability.
While many people take the JLPT to learn all the aspects of the Japanese language, they come out with high reading abilities. However, their speaking and writing ability suffers.
It is a significant time investment
For students with prior Kanji knowledge, it takes approximately 350 hours to complete JLPT N5. For students without prior Kanji knowledge, it takes approximately 460 hours. There are a lot of things you could use that time for.
In 400 hours, you could become an Italian Chef or learn to play an instrument. In 500 hours, you could become a certified Yoga Instructor. Japanese is notably one of the hardest languages to learn, and even mastering the basics will take a significant time commitment.
It is not beneficial to those who already have practical Japanese knowledge
If you have any Japanese experience at all, you may find the N5 exam a waste of time. For many, the N5 is a bit of a warm-up test. It can be a great starting point for those with no prior experience, but it will be too easy for those that already comprehend the basics of the Japanese language. If that’s the case, spend your time studying for the N4 and beyond.
Passing the JLPT N5 is a great way to show your interest in the language and culture and to learn basic conversation, but it won’t guarantee you a job. Most jobs require a minimum of N4.
Skilled and professional workers will likely need to complete N2 or N1 before getting noticed by prospective employers. Employers are not just looking for a basic understanding of vocabulary but also comprehensive reading and conversational skills.
The JLPT N5 is not useful with Japanese Immigration
Passing the N5 will not help you with immigration. The Immigration Bureau of Japan uses a points system as a means of determining eligibility. It is called the “Point-based Preferential Immigration Treatment System for Highly Skilled Foreign Professionals.”
As an example, N1receives 15 points, and N2 receives 10 points. The N5 is a good place to start, but completing higher levels would eventually be required as it takes up to 70 points to receive preferential treatment from the Immigration Bureau.
It does not provide a measure of your overall communication skills
The JLPT N5 is not a good measure of overall communication skills, which are important for employers and universities. As previously mentioned, the JLPT N5 does not test speaking ability. Being able to write and understand the basics of the language may help you craft a resume that grabs the attention of a prospective employer. The same goes for university applicants.
To successfully participate in the Japanese economy long-term, you will need more than basic comprehension skills. You will need to be able to communicate effectively in terms of reading, writing, and speaking the language.
There are not a lot of available exam dates
The lack of exam dates may be a hindrance to your plans, however. Exams are held bi-annually in Japan (July and December). Outside of Japan, it’s common to find only one exam per year. You will need to plan your studies and your travels based on available exam dates. If you plan to take all five levels of the JLPT, you will need to plan multiple years since you are unable to take multiple exams at the same time.
In addition to specific exam dates, there are also specific exam locations. Most locations are in major cities. You may be able to perform course work in the town you live, but traveling for a JLPT exam is a reality for many students. Traveling for an exam, instead of sitting on a beach or exploring a new country, may not be how you initially planned to spend your two-weeks of allotted vacation time for the year.
Failing can make you feel like your Japanese is worse than it may be. Not everyone thrives under the pressure of an examination. Especially one that they have had to wait all year for. Although there is no restriction on the number of times you can take a JLPT exam, failing an exam may discourage some students from continuing their studies.
Additional Resources
- Testing locations and times and general information on the JLPT website
- For testing overseas, visit the Japan Foundation website.
- For testing in Japan, visit the Japan Educational Exchanges and Service website
- For more immigration details, visit the Immigration Bureau of Japan website
- For more information on the JLPT N5 course, visit these websites, https://www.jlpt.jp, and https://www.japanesepod101.com/blog/2018/11/03/what-is-jlpt/.
Conclusion
The JLPT N5 is a great starting point when learning the Japanese Language. It will help you master the basics. Passing the JLPT N5 will not make you fluent in the Japanese language. However, understanding the basics will give you the confidence you need to travel, engage in basic conversations, ask for help, compliment someone, apply for a job, and set you up for future success completing higher levels of the JLPT.
As you progress through the levels, the JLPT system will offer you a proven framework to learn the language while avoiding the DIY path. Whether you are just starting or looking for a way to measure your current competency in the Japanese language, the JLPT N5 is a worthwhile starting point.