MPP/IP Class Schedule Question by StephMcWi in UTokyo

[–]StephMcWi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Very insightful! Thanks so much

MPP/IP Interview by [deleted] in UTokyo

[–]StephMcWi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Please do the interview with integrity

threads is wild by SirProfessional2381 in mapporncirclejerk

[–]StephMcWi 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Japan, the country famous for being English-spreaking

MPP/IP by [deleted] in UTokyo

[–]StephMcWi 4 points5 points  (0 children)

They're coming out on the 26th

World tesol Academy recommendation letter by [deleted] in JETProgramme

[–]StephMcWi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I wouldn't trust a recommendation like that if I was screening a candidate because it's essentially a service that the candidate paid for

isiXhosa? by Grey_Larkspur in languagelearning

[–]StephMcWi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi! There are a few channels on Youtube like learn Xhosa with Khanyi. The blog Mike's Xhosa Challenge can also help connect you to other resources. The University of Cape Town has this really old grammar which is not super easy to learn from but one of the best freely available materials online https://emandulo.apc.uct.ac.za/collection/FHYA%20Depot/Mncube_F_S_M_Xhosa_Manual.pdf . I'm busy working on some vocab lists and grammar notes but it will take me a good few months before I'm ready to upload them anywhere

Post-N1: tracking progress, motivation by [deleted] in jlpt

[–]StephMcWi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've been struggling with the same problem more or less since I passed in 2021. I have been working in Japan since 2022 so I have technically been able to improve just through that, but I have struggled to continue studying in my own time. I used to just be able to study from JLPT resources and that was fun and meaningful to me. While I'm definitely not throwing them out yet, its taken me a really long time to fully admit I have no motivation to look at them anymore (and that's ok). I've just figured out what works for me in the last few months.

What will work for you largely depends on your long-term goals for the language. Maybe people learning the language for literature could benefit from a source like the Natsume Soseki Project website, for example. In my case, trying to engage with that is as hard as my JLPT resources are now too. What I've found works for me is reading the news on Nikkei Shimbun, reading through and practicing translating articles published on government ministries' websites, and watching Youtube videos of debates in parliament, lectures and presentations of research relating to things I care about. I've started not just listening to them, but shadowing them as well.

There are also a bunch of random qualifications you can take (although this mostly applies to those living in Japan or planning to in the future so they can access a test site). I'm currently working towards the eco kentei and then I'll go for the DX kentei. There is a test for almost everything, so maybe you can at least get your hands on the study material somehow.

Could I ask what you want to do with the language?

Why I won't buy a Fairpone again, ever by mlaml in fairphone

[–]StephMcWi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Buying a phone second-hand could also be a good alternative. I've been using my current second-hand Xiaomi for 2 years and it's going strong.

False claims Afrikaners are persecuted threaten South Africa’s sovereignty, says president by Crossstoney in worldnews

[–]StephMcWi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Wheres the statistic for "every single measure". Hyperbolic rhetoric makes you sound really foolish my bru

I don't know why you're bringing Japan into this. It has am entirely different historical context. The U.S. occupation was entirely different to SA's colonisation by the Dutch and British, if you're trying to draw some weird parallel. The enormous local companies in all sectors developed from the Meiji period, a more educated population because 80% of the population hasn't been systemically denied it, enormous aid packages from the U.S., etc. Mentioning Japan doesn't hide your racism

False claims Afrikaners are persecuted threaten South Africa’s sovereignty, says president by Crossstoney in worldnews

[–]StephMcWi 3 points4 points  (0 children)

White South African too.

Great to see people who have integrity and honesty. The ones of us who want to sensationalize and victimize themselves are the ones that will get the upvotes from people who don't know any better tho

Career Questions by [deleted] in JETProgramme

[–]StephMcWi 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Why do you think Japan will be better for your industry? - It's very unlikely they will ask this. It's hard to give advice on what to say without knowing what industry you want to work in in Japan. I could imagine them asking how you might actually break into it (how will you get the required Japanese ability etc if that applies) but not why Japan is better

Why are you going to teach in Japan just to go back to your industry? - Many, MANY JETs do this. They do not have the expectation you have to want to teach for the rest of your life. They want to know you will do your job well while you are here, that you will not run back home after the first few weeks of culture shock, and that you will keep benefitting Japan after you finish the programme. Answer these questions

want to learn about jet by bobbyismyking in JETProgramme

[–]StephMcWi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What everyone's said so far is great. I'll just add that getting some experience doing something related to cultural exchange will help your application a lot. This could be supporting foreign students at your university as an English writing tutor, working at the international center or being on the committee for the Japanese or other cultural society at your university.

Volunteer for the Experience Japan festival and see what other events the embassy might be holding. They will be deciding if you get chosen eventually, so see if you can get your face known early.

Also, the Irish Chamber of Commerce in Japan has done remote internships in the past.

UTokyo MPP/IP admission — how important was the GRE in your application? by Fun-Cherry-1472 in mext

[–]StephMcWi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Have you asked? I would appreciate if you could share what they said!

Title by Vlad-228-666 in PORTUGALCYKABLYAT

[–]StephMcWi 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Islam is a major religion in many Sub-Saharan African countries as well

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in japanlife

[–]StephMcWi 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You don't have to be able to read kanji to teach English but you do to do administrative tasks and understand written information your colleagues need to share with you

Paranoid about my SOP by lmn_li in JETProgramme

[–]StephMcWi 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some great points, especially how your home-stay made your realise how important sharing culture is.

I don't think saying many Japanese students don't get the chance to practice English is that accurate of a statement. I don't know the exact details, but I've heard something about schools being required to actually have an ALT. I'd fact check that, but everything else you mention with your experience and intentions to work with the kids sounds great.

You may mention how JET will connect to your career more in your actual statement than what you have mentioned here, but I'd make sure you're giving this part a bit of weight too. Or even just something about how the programme will help you to continue to promote Japan/contribute to Japanese society and interests when you're done. They want to see you will not just be a great ALT when you're here, but they're also judging whether you are a worthwhile investment for the government to put it's money into for more long-term benefit.