The Language-Learning Thread

Anyone applying for the JET Programme this year? I wasn't going to but I figured why not, just got everything together except the essay now.

I'm going to China to teach for a year in January, in Wuxi (1 hr west of Shanghai). Now, I don't think they speak Mandarin there, which worries me slightly. I'm not supposed to use it in class, but I would like to learn it to make my own stay more comfortable.

Any tips?

Pacman wrote:Anyone applying for the JET Programme this year? I wasn't going to but I figured why not, just got everything together except the essay now.

Me and aaron are. I haven't got my doctor's confirmation form yet, but other than that I'm pretty much there. Just need to make the 4 copies of everything.

Not much time left though. Has to arrive by the 25th.

The only tip you'll need: http://www.pimsleurapproach.com/learn-chinese-mandarin/

The Pimsleur approach is absolutely spot on as far as listening and speaking goes. It won't teach you how to read or write but let's face it, speaking and listening is basically what you'll be using to get by.

They're expensive, but you can probably (definitely) find a torrent if you look hard enough.


Edit: FAO Nova

G-Ratasaurus Rex wrote:

Pacman wrote:Anyone applying for the JET Programme this year? I wasn't going to but I figured why not, just got everything together except the essay now.

Me and aaron are. I haven't got my doctor's confirmation form yet, but other than that I'm pretty much there. Just need to make the 4 copies of everything.

Not much time left though. Has to arrive by the 25th.

Do what I did last year, deliver it in person, 3 minutes before the deadline

G-Ratasaurus Rex wrote:

Pacman wrote:Anyone applying for the JET Programme this year? I wasn't going to but I figured why not, just got everything together except the essay now.

Me and aaron are. I haven't got my doctor's confirmation form yet, but other than that I'm pretty much there. Just need to make the 4 copies of everything.

Not much time left though. Has to arrive by the 25th.

Last year mine would have arrived the day of the deadline. Was it someone on here (Andre?) that was running down to the embassy in London and got there 2 minutes before it closed? It might have been the JET Forums, that one. Anyway best of luck to the both of you. I'm applying for areas in the south (Hyogo, Kobe, Osaka) but you can be placed anywhere can't you. Maybe see you at the JET orientation and subsequent meets

Yeah that was me

I exaggerated the story to 2 minutes rather than 3

Pacman wrote:

G-Ratasaurus Rex wrote:

Pacman wrote:Anyone applying for the JET Programme this year? I wasn't going to but I figured why not, just got everything together except the essay now.

Me and aaron are. I haven't got my doctor's confirmation form yet, but other than that I'm pretty much there. Just need to make the 4 copies of everything.

Not much time left though. Has to arrive by the 25th.

Last year mine would have arrived the day of the deadline. Was it someone on here (Andre?) that was running down to the embassy in London and got there 2 minutes before it closed? It might have been the JET Forums, that one. Anyway best of luck to the both of you. I'm applying for areas in the south (Hyogo, Kobe, Osaka) but you can be placed anywhere can't you. Maybe see you at the JET orientation and subsequent meets

Yeah, I've applied for the CIR position as I feel that's way more up my street, but I've also put down on my application to be considered for the ALT position if they think I am more suited for that too.

My 3 are Chiba, Shizuoka and Fukushima; all for different reasons, but as you say, we could end up anywhere.

Might get the same flight over to Tokyo, as I think everyone from the UK goes on the same flight?

EDIT: You're more in the middle with Hyogo and the Kansai area. Any reasons? And are you going for ALT, right?

G-Ratasaurus Rex wrote:

Pacman wrote:

G-Ratasaurus Rex wrote:

Pacman wrote:Anyone applying for the JET Programme this year? I wasn't going to but I figured why not, just got everything together except the essay now.

Me and aaron are. I haven't got my doctor's confirmation form yet, but other than that I'm pretty much there. Just need to make the 4 copies of everything.

Not much time left though. Has to arrive by the 25th.

Last year mine would have arrived the day of the deadline. Was it someone on here (Andre?) that was running down to the embassy in London and got there 2 minutes before it closed? It might have been the JET Forums, that one. Anyway best of luck to the both of you. I'm applying for areas in the south (Hyogo, Kobe, Osaka) but you can be placed anywhere can't you. Maybe see you at the JET orientation and subsequent meets

Yeah, I've applied for the CIR position as I feel that's way more up my street, but I've also put down on my application to be considered for the ALT position if they think I am more suited for that too.

My 3 are Chiba, Shizuoka and Fukushima; all for different reasons, but as you say, we could end up anywhere.

Might get the same flight over to Tokyo, as I think everyone from the UK goes on the same flight?

EDIT: You're more in the middle with Hyogo and the Kansai area. Any reasons? And are you going for ALT, right?

Well, south Honshu Or is it classed as central because of the JR coverage? Yeah I'm going for ALT. I researched (brought up a Wikipedia page for) all of the different prefectures when I was applying last year and whittled it down to those three. From what I remember it was a combination of the warmer climate, probability of being placed near the coastline and proximity to urban civilisation (though that said I actually wouldn't mind being out in the sticks). Your choices are sound - Chiba would be great since it's so close to the big city, has Fukushima recovered well from that little setback a while ago?

I think they do fill a whole flight with JETs don't they. We might be sat next to each other

I'm introducing myself to Japanese through a book called Japanese from Zero from yesjapan.com. It's very well structured and starts you off quite well. I also found that the minigames on the yesjapan website are very helpful, I'm confident I know about a 1/3 to 1/2 of the Hiragana now and the best part is that there are patterns in the language.

Nova wrote:I'm going to China to teach for a year in January, in Wuxi (1 hr west of Shanghai). Now, I don't think they speak Mandarin there, which worries me slightly. I'm not supposed to use it in class, but I would like to learn it to make my own stay more comfortable.

Any tips?

They'll definitely speak Mandarin there but it may not be the local language. All this means is that you'll be able to converse as much as you like if you know Mandarin but might find that local people will talk amongst themselves in a different dialect. Unless you know Mandarin already it probably won't be worth you making an effort learning the local language as it will be pretty much redundant outside of the area but learning Mandarin will almost certainly be worth it as you can use it anywhere in China.

How did you get the teaching placement?

Pacman wrote:

G-Ratasaurus Rex wrote:

Pacman wrote:

G-Ratasaurus Rex wrote:

Pacman wrote:Anyone applying for the JET Programme this year? I wasn't going to but I figured why not, just got everything together except the essay now.

Me and aaron are. I haven't got my doctor's confirmation form yet, but other than that I'm pretty much there. Just need to make the 4 copies of everything.

Not much time left though. Has to arrive by the 25th.

Last year mine would have arrived the day of the deadline. Was it someone on here (Andre?) that was running down to the embassy in London and got there 2 minutes before it closed? It might have been the JET Forums, that one. Anyway best of luck to the both of you. I'm applying for areas in the south (Hyogo, Kobe, Osaka) but you can be placed anywhere can't you. Maybe see you at the JET orientation and subsequent meets

Yeah, I've applied for the CIR position as I feel that's way more up my street, but I've also put down on my application to be considered for the ALT position if they think I am more suited for that too.

My 3 are Chiba, Shizuoka and Fukushima; all for different reasons, but as you say, we could end up anywhere.

Might get the same flight over to Tokyo, as I think everyone from the UK goes on the same flight?

EDIT: You're more in the middle with Hyogo and the Kansai area. Any reasons? And are you going for ALT, right?

Well, south Honshu Or is it classed as central because of the JR coverage? Yeah I'm going for ALT. I researched (brought up a Wikipedia page for) all of the different prefectures when I was applying last year and whittled it down to those three. From what I remember it was a combination of the warmer climate, probability of being placed near the coastline and proximity to urban civilisation (though that said I actually wouldn't mind being out in the sticks). Your choices are sound - Chiba would be great since it's so close to the big city, has Fukushima recovered well from that little setback a while ago?

I think they do fill a whole flight with JETs don't they. We might be sat next to each other

Yeah, that's pretty much my main reason for Chiba, plus I know a fair few people from around there as well.

As for Fukushima, I'm alright with it. My parents might not be, but I don't want to fall for that stigma. Gf's family also live there, so I'd like to be around them, as I assume the gf has to come home at some points. I doubt they'd put anyone super near the no-fly zone anyway.

That's a good point - I bet "how would you feel about being placed in Fukushima" is going to be one of the interview questions this year. I'd be okay with it too, my grandma would go apeshit though

Got an e-mail this morning which suggests that I can do my first semester next year in France, and follow that up with the second in Spain, and still get the full funding. Should have confirmation in the next couple of days.

£40 for my doctor's statement saying there's nothing wrong with me.

G-Ratasaurus Rex wrote:£40 for my doctor's statement saying there's nothing wrong with me.

That's bullshit I thought it was horrendous that I had to wait a week - it's only a signature!! You should have made an appointment then slipped him a tenner to sign it for you

Got my JET application sent off today.

Good luck to everyone, and make sure you get it in before Friday!

Pfft, you guys and your degrees.

G-Ratasaurus Rex wrote:Got my JET application sent off today.

Good luck to everyone, and make sure you get it in before Friday!

Mine is sat on my floor, I really should walk down to the post office with it later