Tomorrow is the first of four big tests in Japanese class (there are three tests and a final exam). I must say that I’m dreading it, even though I’m pretty sure I have a lot of it down. I wonder if it’s enough.
Last week I was sick with a cold and I hardly studied at all. I rather miss being able to study at my own pace, and I’m not entirely sure that the structure is helping me. It’s not hurting, don’t get me wrong!, but I feel like in some ways I was learning more when I was just studying on my own, though I didn’t know what I didn’t know. Which means I was missing some important things, like how to tell time, etc.
Our sensei doesn’t waste time – the class moves at a breakneck speed (as classes go) and people are dropping like flies. We started with 13 or 14 people, and last night there were seven. A few were out for whatever reason, but I wouldn’t do that unless I had no choice, because missing even one class could set one back irreparably. That, I guess, is what I don’t like about class. You learn a lot but you’re always on a knife’s edge unless you really overstudy, and who has time for that?
Where I’m not satisfied is that I am very bad, still, conversationally. I need to figure out how to address that. I may even invest in some private tutoring just to find someone who will have a conversation with me without judgement.
I know what I want to do with Japanese – at least one thing – once I become conversational in it, but I’m not there yet, and I’m kind of chomping at the bit.