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Author Topic: Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students  (Read 130415 times)  Share 

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RazzMeTazz

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Re: Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students
« Reply #165 on: October 11, 2014, 06:45:42 pm »
0
When indicating direction, are the particles へ and に interchangeable?

If I were to say, "I will go to Japan" which would be more grammatically correct?

1.) 私は日本に行きます

or

2.) 私は日本へ行きます

?

jibba

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Re: Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students
« Reply #166 on: October 13, 2014, 03:05:22 pm »
+1
What are the writing conventions used in writing an email?
Like how in a letter you open up with a greeting and comment on the season etc, what are the key features used in emails?

Fyrefly's way is the way to do it in real life, I do it like that when I had to email teachers in Japanese unis.

VCE doesn't require you to be so formal and in-depth i'd think.

Quote
あなたはVCEの試験(しけん)のあと、ホストブラザーのたくみに会うために、もう一度(いちど)日本に行こうと思っています。たくみに初(はじ)めてメールを書いて、あなたがどのようにして日本で時を過(す)ごしたいか、説明(せつめい)しなさい。
You are planning to go to Japan after the VCE exams to visit your host brother, Takumi, for a second time. Write an initial email to Takumi to explain how you would like to spend your time in Japan.

たくみさんへ 、

 お元気ですか?ひさしぶりにメールを書いています 。しかも、いいニュースです。私は十二年生のしけんの後で、日本に旅行することにしました!とても楽しみにしています。日本で行きたい場所がたくさんあるので、そのことについて知らせたいと思います

 まず 、日本に行ったら、コンサートに行きたいです。多分、もうよく知っていると思うけれど、私はスキャンダルというバンドのファンです。ネットのじょうほうによると、十二月に演奏会(えんそうかい)があるそうです。一緒(いっしょ)に演奏会に付(つ)き合(あ)っていただいてもいいですか?たくみさんもスキャンダルの曲(きょく)をよく聞きますね。いい機会(きかい)でしょう。来週から、きっぷを売り始めるそうなので、できれば、きっぷを買っておいて いただけませんか。ありがとうございます。

 それから、私は東京の秋葉原(あきはばら)や渋谷(しぶや)などにも行こうと思っています。留学生(りゅうがくせい)の時、秋葉原(あきはばら)で一日しかすごせなかったから、今度(こんど)こそ秋葉原(あきはばら)で買い物をしたり、見物したりするよていです。メイドきっさに行くつもりはないので、安心してください。

 では、これで終(お)わりです。お返事(へんじ)を待っています
(Copyright to jibba, please don't plagarise or reproduce/distribute in other places)


I've attached an email i wrote in VCE. I always started with ~について知らせたいと思います as it clearly states the intention in the introduction and i finished with では、これで終(お)わりです。お返事(へんじ)を待っています to clearly show the conclusion. Email depends a lot on the topic, just use a lot of grammars in the body paragraph and answer the question. The length seems short but that's about 500ji

2011: Japanese SL [50] ATAR: 99.40
2012-2017: Arts/Law at Monash
My Japanese Advice Thread Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students
2013: Currently tutoring VCE Japanese. JLPT N2
2014: Exchange to Hitotsubashi University, Japan (April - August) & Seoul National University (September - December). JLPT N1
2017: Tutoring VCE Japanese/Offering VCE Japanese notes email : [email protected]

Botopie

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Re: Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students
« Reply #167 on: October 19, 2014, 02:42:39 pm »
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We ready for oral exam boys and girls?

jibba

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Re: Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students
« Reply #168 on: October 28, 2014, 02:13:04 am »
+1
When indicating direction, are the particles へ and に interchangeable?

If I were to say, "I will go to Japan" which would be more grammatically correct?

1.) 私は日本に行きます

or

2.) 私は日本へ行きます

?

Yea, in cases where you can use へ you can replace it with に (ie: for direction)

With your previous question, おもいます should technically translate to 'I think' and おもいました should translate to 'I thought'
The tense before the おもいます ie: だった v  だ should translate to 'was' or 'is'
ie: 本田さんのドレスはすてきだったとおもいます I think that Ms Honda's dress was beautiful.
本田さんのドレスはすてきだとおもいます I think that Ms Honda's dress is beautiful

I don't think that using I thought in 本田さんのドレスはすてきだったとおもいます is incorrect, because it sounds more natural in English to say I thought when using past tense.
For the second example, I think it sounds natural saying 'I think Harry's birthday was yesterday' so it's okay. If you wanted to say I thought you'd use おもいました

(Apology for late response)

Hope you all did well for your speaking exam and feel free to ask any questions for the final exam! (I'll try be prompt~!)
 

2011: Japanese SL [50] ATAR: 99.40
2012-2017: Arts/Law at Monash
My Japanese Advice Thread Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students
2013: Currently tutoring VCE Japanese. JLPT N2
2014: Exchange to Hitotsubashi University, Japan (April - August) & Seoul National University (September - December). JLPT N1
2017: Tutoring VCE Japanese/Offering VCE Japanese notes email : [email protected]

RazzMeTazz

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Re: Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students
« Reply #169 on: November 01, 2014, 04:55:35 pm »
0
Yea, in cases where you can use へ you can replace it with に (ie: for direction)

With your previous question, おもいます should technically translate to 'I think' and おもいました should translate to 'I thought'
The tense before the おもいます ie: だった v  だ should translate to 'was' or 'is'
ie: 本田さんのドレスはすてきだったとおもいます I think that Ms Honda's dress was beautiful.
本田さんのドレスはすてきだとおもいます I think that Ms Honda's dress is beautiful

I don't think that using I thought in 本田さんのドレスはすてきだったとおもいます is incorrect, because it sounds more natural in English to say I thought when using past tense.
For the second example, I think it sounds natural saying 'I think Harry's birthday was yesterday' so it's okay. If you wanted to say I thought you'd use おもいました

(Apology for late response)

Hope you all did well for your speaking exam and feel free to ask any questions for the final exam! (I'll try be prompt~!)

Thankyou so much! This was of great help!  :)

RazzMeTazz

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Re: Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students
« Reply #170 on: November 01, 2014, 04:58:25 pm »
0
For the Japanese written exam are we allowed to bring in any type of bilingual dictionary, or is it only specific brands?

AngelWings

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Re: Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students
« Reply #171 on: November 01, 2014, 05:15:34 pm »
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For the Japanese written exam are we allowed to bring in any type of bilingual dictionary, or is it only specific brands?

They really couldn't care less which brand it is. As long as it's a dictionary in at least one language.
VCAA states the following:
"Languages Examinations: Written component
any printed monolingual and/or bilingual dictionary in one or two separate volumes"
taken from: http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/Pages/vce/exams/authorisedmaterials.aspx
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RazzMeTazz

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Re: Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students
« Reply #172 on: November 01, 2014, 06:39:58 pm »
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Thankyou! ! :)

souka

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Re: Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students
« Reply #173 on: November 10, 2014, 11:38:26 am »
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Which one are you using?

Our school makes us buy Kodansha's furigana japanese dictionary.
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jibba

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Re: Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students
« Reply #174 on: November 10, 2014, 12:24:51 pm »
0
@souka

I used the same one

2011: Japanese SL [50] ATAR: 99.40
2012-2017: Arts/Law at Monash
My Japanese Advice Thread Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students
2013: Currently tutoring VCE Japanese. JLPT N2
2014: Exchange to Hitotsubashi University, Japan (April - August) & Seoul National University (September - December). JLPT N1
2017: Tutoring VCE Japanese/Offering VCE Japanese notes email : [email protected]

moveovermodels

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Re: Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students
« Reply #175 on: November 13, 2014, 12:31:43 pm »
0
Hi Jibba,
Is it fine if I sent you some of my writing pieces to check?
I'm not sure if my teacher is bias with my writing since my mark vary from medium to high depending on each piece.
And what time management strategy did you come into Japanese exam?

Edward Elric

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Re: Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students
« Reply #176 on: November 13, 2014, 12:57:01 pm »
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Fyrefly's way is the way to do it in real life, I do it like that when I had to email teachers in Japanese unis.

VCE doesn't require you to be so formal and in-depth i'd think.
 

I've attached an email i wrote in VCE. I always started with ~について知らせたいと思います as it clearly states the intention in the introduction and i finished with では、これで終(お)わりです。お返事(へんじ)を待っています to clearly show the conclusion. Email depends a lot on the topic, just use a lot of grammars in the body paragraph and answer the question. The length seems short but that's about 500ji


Hey Jibba

Just wondering, how would you allocate your time tackling the paper, during writing time, and how would you go about reading time. Also what else can you do to prepare for the exams besides doing past papers? Especially how can you improve your listening skills?
Thanks in advance :)

jibba

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Re: Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students
« Reply #177 on: November 13, 2014, 01:39:10 pm »
+2
@moreovermodels

Sure, I can have a look at essays for you. But is it okay if I post the corrections to this thread? (I think it could help others too as this is a communal thread :) )

Re: time management strategy
I posted how I went about allocating time in the exam in my first post (just reposting it here)
Spoiler
My Exam Strategy & Tips

Reading Time: 15 mins
Spend at least 5 mins deciding a topic for Section 3: Writing and coming up with a plan in your head
Spend around 5 minutes reading Section 2: Reading in Japanese (looking up words you don't know in dictionary)
Spend remainder of time getting familiar with Listening questions, if you finish quickly go back to reading comprehension

Listening Section: 30 mins
Answer in English
Take notes in English
This section is about translating Japanese into English as accurately and exactly as you can. I made the example between 料理(りょうり)を作ったことがない vs 料理を作ることができない on the second page of this thread.
The translation of these two into English is different. 'I have never cooked' vs 'I cannot cook'
The markers will be particular about vague translations

Students aiming for a high score should try to get all the answers during the first listening (using the second listening for confirming answers)
(In my exam, I was able to get all of them except one part in the first listening)
Use any extra time for planning your writing or for reading comprehension (Obviously make sure you got the answers in English correct and written down first)
 
Answer in Japanese
Take notes in ROOMAJI (my technique) - Try to write down exactly what you hear into roomaji
If there are words you cannot understand or hear completely, attempt to write down what you hear. It might lead you to getting the correct answer later on 

This section is about copying the Japanese you hear and correctly putting it as the response to the relevant question
They don't want you to change the way they say it, you can simply just copy it as they say it
You may need to phrase your answer to suit the way the question is asked.
For example with last year's paper, you could've summarised the three advantages into one paragraph. Although you could also have three individual sentences
 
Reading Comprehension Section: 40-45 mins
Answer in English
Maybe spend 15-20 mins on this section, but it depends on length of texts and number of texts
Same as I said above, try translate the Japanese into English as accurately as you can

Answer in Japanese
(The killer section and the one where the good students set them selves apart from the rest)
Try to correctly use as much VCE grammar as you can in your responses (use it appropriately though) [Random Tip: I used to use ~そうです (I heard) to end answers where you had to provide information from the text]
Make sure all the VCE Kanji is used in your responses
Stating the obvious, but make sure your response answers the question completely! Do not add unnecessary information for the sake of using grammar

Writing Section: 30 mins
The suggested time is 50 mins, but the quicker you can finish the more time you will have to re-check all of your answers and fix mistakes
Students aiming for 40+ should try to finish in 30 mins
In my exam, I wrote a story as every year the least amount of students attempt that one. Doesn't mean everyone should write a story, but if you are confident in your Japanese it might be easier to score better writing the least popular topic.
Choose the topic you are most confident with.

If you can follow those time suggestions you should have 15-20 mins at the end to re-check everything
In my exam, I had around 15 minutes, which I used to fix kanji, spelling of words, and minimise as many grammatical errors as I could
Personally I think the re-checking time is crucial, because in my case I found a lot of silly errors in my responses, which I was able to fix because I left time at the end.
TL;DR
You should aim to finish your writing piece in 30-35 minutes (I finished it in 30 minutes). This will give you 15-20 minutes to double check your responses and fix grammar/spelling/kanji mistakes in the rest of your exam. I believe that having this extra time double checking really helped me achieve my 50 score because I found many little mistakes that would've lost me those crucial marks in that time. Under exam pressure, you will inevitably make silly mistakes so it's good to try and practice writing your essay in 30 mins rather than 50 so you have extra time to check your exam paper at the end.

re: improving listening skils
It's quite late, but there is still a lot you can do. Other than past exams I found that doing textbook listening problems really helps you improve and get used to certain grammars, learn new vocab, and help you identify the relevant/irrelevant pieces you need from the dialogue.
I can't post links to the textbooks. But the listening problems from Genki 1 (later exercises) and 2 textbooks are good. Just google 'Genki workbook download' 'genki listening download'. Also if you haven't done listening exercises to your Wakatta textbook make sure to do them!
Just memorising vocab from your textbook is also a good way to prepare too (if you have done all the past exams).

2011: Japanese SL [50] ATAR: 99.40
2012-2017: Arts/Law at Monash
My Japanese Advice Thread Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students
2013: Currently tutoring VCE Japanese. JLPT N2
2014: Exchange to Hitotsubashi University, Japan (April - August) & Seoul National University (September - December). JLPT N1
2017: Tutoring VCE Japanese/Offering VCE Japanese notes email : [email protected]

Edward Elric

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Re: Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students
« Reply #178 on: November 13, 2014, 03:35:28 pm »
0
@moreovermodels

Sure, I can have a look at essays for you. But is it okay if I post the corrections to this thread? (I think it could help others too as this is a communal thread :) )

Re: time management strategy
I posted how I went about allocating time in the exam in my first post (just reposting it here)
Spoiler
My Exam Strategy & Tips

Reading Time: 15 mins
Spend at least 5 mins deciding a topic for Section 3: Writing and coming up with a plan in your head
Spend around 5 minutes reading Section 2: Reading in Japanese (looking up words you don't know in dictionary)
Spend remainder of time getting familiar with Listening questions, if you finish quickly go back to reading comprehension

Listening Section: 30 mins
Answer in English
Take notes in English
This section is about translating Japanese into English as accurately and exactly as you can. I made the example between 料理(りょうり)を作ったことがない vs 料理を作ることができない on the second page of this thread.
The translation of these two into English is different. 'I have never cooked' vs 'I cannot cook'
The markers will be particular about vague translations

Students aiming for a high score should try to get all the answers during the first listening (using the second listening for confirming answers)
(In my exam, I was able to get all of them except one part in the first listening)
Use any extra time for planning your writing or for reading comprehension (Obviously make sure you got the answers in English correct and written down first)
 
Answer in Japanese
Take notes in ROOMAJI (my technique) - Try to write down exactly what you hear into roomaji
If there are words you cannot understand or hear completely, attempt to write down what you hear. It might lead you to getting the correct answer later on 

This section is about copying the Japanese you hear and correctly putting it as the response to the relevant question
They don't want you to change the way they say it, you can simply just copy it as they say it
You may need to phrase your answer to suit the way the question is asked.
For example with last year's paper, you could've summarised the three advantages into one paragraph. Although you could also have three individual sentences
 
Reading Comprehension Section: 40-45 mins
Answer in English
Maybe spend 15-20 mins on this section, but it depends on length of texts and number of texts
Same as I said above, try translate the Japanese into English as accurately as you can

Answer in Japanese
(The killer section and the one where the good students set them selves apart from the rest)
Try to correctly use as much VCE grammar as you can in your responses (use it appropriately though) [Random Tip: I used to use ~そうです (I heard) to end answers where you had to provide information from the text]
Make sure all the VCE Kanji is used in your responses
Stating the obvious, but make sure your response answers the question completely! Do not add unnecessary information for the sake of using grammar

Writing Section: 30 mins
The suggested time is 50 mins, but the quicker you can finish the more time you will have to re-check all of your answers and fix mistakes
Students aiming for 40+ should try to finish in 30 mins
In my exam, I wrote a story as every year the least amount of students attempt that one. Doesn't mean everyone should write a story, but if you are confident in your Japanese it might be easier to score better writing the least popular topic.
Choose the topic you are most confident with.

If you can follow those time suggestions you should have 15-20 mins at the end to re-check everything

In my exam, I had around 15 minutes, which I used to fix kanji, spelling of words, and minimise as many grammatical errors as I could
Personally I think the re-checking time is crucial, because in my case I found a lot of silly errors in my responses, which I was able to fix because I left time at the end.
TL;DR
You should aim to finish your writing piece in 30-35 minutes (I finished it in 30 minutes). This will give you 15-20 minutes to double check your responses and fix grammar/spelling/kanji mistakes in the rest of your exam. I believe that having this extra time double checking really helped me achieve my 50 score because I found many little mistakes that would've lost me those crucial marks in that time. Under exam pressure, you will inevitably make silly mistakes so it's good to try and practice writing your essay in 30 mins rather than 50 so you have extra time to check your exam paper at the end.

re: improving listening skils
It's quite late, but there is still a lot you can do. Other than past exams I found that doing textbook listening problems really helps you improve and get used to certain grammars, learn new vocab, and help you identify the relevant/irrelevant pieces you need from the dialogue.
I can't post links to the textbooks. But the listening problems from Genki 1 (later exercises) and 2 textbooks are good. Just google 'Genki workbook download' 'genki listening download'. Also if you haven't done listening exercises to your Wakatta textbook make sure to do them!
Just memorising vocab from your textbook is also a good way to prepare too (if you have done all the past exams).

Thank you so much :) what a legend!

Mieow

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Re: Q/A and advice for 2012/Future VCE Japanese Students
« Reply #179 on: November 13, 2014, 03:44:35 pm »
0
Im looking at the grade distribution for Japanese and GA3 is out of 400. Why is it so high when the exam is only worth 75 marks?  ???
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