Comments for しあわせ

Comment on Anki - multiplatform flashcard program by Daniel

Daniel — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:13:08 +0000

Hi Robert,
You may want to have a look at Mnemosyne (http://www.mnemosyne-proj.org/).
Running on Linux, Mac and Windows it uses spaced repetition similar to Anki and is also open source. There are a handful of Japanese card sets on their website but for me, the statistics and UI of Anki give it the edge overall. Still worth checking out thought.

Comment on JLPT past exam papers by archana

archana — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 08:09:37 +0000

it was interesting. please send last ten years question papers of level 2 on my given email adress………………
thanks
archana

Comment on Irish Leaving Cert Japanese — Nihongo Kantan by ロバート

ロバート — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 15:28:25 +0000

Thanks for your corrections

I could have sworn that the Japan Foundation gave figures for the number of native Japanese teachers in their English returns.
But reading the more detailed returns on the Japanese site for 2006 in Ireland they list 31 teachers for whom Japanese is not their native language and 15 who are native Japanese teaching in Irish secondary schools. And a further 10 and 7 respectively in 3rd level and other institutions. if I counted them correctly.
So yes my mistake. But many schools have non-native teachers. Roughly 66% of teachers are non native. Which is about the global average of 70% mind you.
That said it’s impressive that there are 15 qualified native Japanese teachers. And that there are qualified Irish teachers of Japanese as second language as well. (As an adult I think I’d only study with a native teacher, but then I have the advantage of living in a large city not rural Ireland.)
It is also impressive the amount of resources for Japanese given that so few sit an exam in it. (Not that an exam is the point of learning a language)

The large amount of A’s. And I thought that Irish students might have been smart and dedicated. Certainly the examiners report 0f 2004 does mention native Japanese taking the exam and how it skewed the overall results. Again my mistake.
Except for the English that might be required of them a native Japanese speaker should have no difficulty picking up an A grade and any institution that needs grades for entrance should probably be as quick to discount it.

The original Leaving Cert exam in Japanese was for native speakers and seems fairly tough. I think 3 students sat it.
Usually native speakers aren’t allowed take exams meant for non-native speakers. (or take a degree meant for non-natives) But the Department of Education only sets exams for native speakers in EU languages it seems (maybe with the exception of Hebrew perhaps)

Comment on Irish Leaving Cert Japanese — Nihongo Kantan by Karen

Karen — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 14:00:48 +0000

Hi, Just came across this post by accident and thought I’d point out a couple of errors. There are at least an equal number of native teachers as non-native teachers teaching LC Japanese in Ireland and the reason there are so many A’s is because there are so many native speakers sitting the exam, it’s an easy way to make up for their hardship as non-natives with the rest of the LC. Take care, Karen

Comment on Mixi restores Shogunate isolationism by ロバート

ロバート — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 01:46:54 +0000

gaijin women would seem to be suggesting that mixi detects your IP address and based on that doesn’t require a Japanese mobile outside of Japan. Interesting if it’s true. As always the post is tantalisingly incomplete.

Comment on Mixi restores Shogunate isolationism by Jini

Jini — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 15:43:04 +0000

I found a site with a different method to get around that.
http://gaijinwomen.com/register-in-japan-with-no-phones-e-mail-address/

has anyone tried it? Please let me know! I’m trying to figure it out myself ><

Comment on Mixi restores Shogunate isolationism by ロバート

ロバート — Tue, 20 May 2008 09:26:05 +0000

Lot’s of countries are like that.
American tourism down significantly in part due to border procedures.
Ireland unilaterally puts border controls on entry from UK. Changes constitution so being born in Ireland may no longer be enough to be an Irish citizen.
Immigration riots in South Africa.
Fuelled by government 65% polled in Italy are in favour of expelling Roma
UK puts immigration on electoral agenda. with (first wave of) ID cards for immigrants. non-British to be denied social housing. Must become British to permanently reside in UK if not from EU. Must pass English test. disproportional visa fees.
It’s becoming a trend and security is often an excuse. The paranoia and tribalism is depressing.
And it all focuses on people with little or no voice.
In a way like mixi. they’ll never hear or care about the people who have no access.

Comment on Mixi restores Shogunate isolationism by Dav

Dav — Tue, 20 May 2008 04:29:22 +0000

I’ll soon have to leave my fingerprints and photo at the airport again when I come back into Japan after my holidays, even though I work and live here with visa and all. Japan is like that…

Comment on アダナミ書房 - Adanami Shobo by Travis

Travis — Sat, 17 May 2008 01:03:53 +0000

Ooh, my first incoming link to the blog! Thanks, man. And keep up the good work - lots of interesting stuff here.

Comment on LingQ - building vocabulary by reading online by ロバート

ロバート — Fri, 09 May 2008 11:05:42 +0000

Thanks for reading.

The change of name from Store to Library is a good decision I think. It really stood out when I first went to LingQ, you even have/had a FAQ about it.

It’ll be interesting to see what direction partnering with content providers will take. I would have thought a medium to large provider would be more interested in licensing your tools rather than you hosting their content. But that’s merely my guess.

Everyone’s approach to language learning is different I think. Although I doubt LingQ would be the principle tool I’d use, I’ll definitely continue to visit and see what you’re doing. You’ve certainly given me ideas for my own studies.

I wish LingQ every success.
The more language education sites around the better it is for language learners.