Strategy to Pass Level 1

So I'm back and this time and I am really prepared to pass N1 July in 2020.  Here is the list on how I plan to pass Level 1

- Read, Read, Read --> This is my weakest point in the entire exam.  I need to read almost everything under the sun.  I must stop reading English books, magazines and start appreciating reading books in Japanese.  It will be difficult but I believe this is the only way I could really improve my Japanese.

Here are some sites / apps that I feel will help me out:

Apple

Easy Japanese

Anki App

Japanese Letter Templates (Invitations 2)

Asking for support
==================

明日のテレカン、宜しくお願いします。
主に私が進めますが、英語のTranslationのサポートをお願いしま
す。また技術的な質問もあるかもしれませんの
で、サポートしてくれるとありがたいです。

以下に内容を書いておきます。

■日時
1/05 10:00 -  11:00
A議室（テレカンファレンス）

■参加メンバー
・A社
・B社

■接続方法
Skypeによる接続は、A社からB社鈴木さんのSkype IDにかけます。
ID：b-suzuki

■アジェンダ
システムUI開発についてQ&A

■背景
NDAベースの話になります。
開発ができるかできないか、という相談を
受けています。

宜しくお願いします。

Japanese Letter Templates (Invitations)

Inviting people for a Farewell Party

すでにご案内しておりますが、XXXさんが
今月末で退職されるため、ささやかでは
ありますが以下の日時で送別会を企画し
ております。

This is to inform everyone that XXX will be leaving
the company at the end of this month.

We would like to hold a farewell party for XXX

参加希望の方は12月1日午前中
までにYYまでご連絡いただけますよう
よろしくお願いします。

Please inform YY if you will come until the
morning of December 1st.

日時：12月15日午後7時より
場所：未定（決まり次第参加者へご連絡
いたします。）

Schedule
Place has not been decided yet. We will inform those who will
come of the place once we have decided on it.

Japanese Letter Templates - Train

Train is delayed because of trouble:

ジェイです。お疲れ様です。 横浜線が信号機トラブルで運転をみあわせている為、9時過ぎの出社になりそうです。 よろしくお願いします。

Train is delayed because of accident:

ジェイです。お疲れ様です。 電車事故ので運転をみあわせている為、9時過ぎの出社になりそうです。 よろしくお願いします。

Sending items

Useful phrases you can use when sending items by Takkyubin

Kuroneko is one of the famous takkyubin around Tokyo:

Phone: 0120-01-9625 (using mobile) 03-5564-3700

Here is the script:

I'm going to send a package, can you please pick it up.
荷物を発送したいので、家まで取りに来てください。
nimotsu wo hassou shitai node, ie made torini kite kudasai

Mode of payment is COD, please bring chakubarai slip.
着払いしたいのです。着払い用の伝票を下さい。

* Chakubarai is used to mean that the receiver will have to pay
for the shipping cost.

Otherwise, you don't have to mention anything.

Then give your name/address and mobile num if they haven't asked you yet

They might ask you about the package because they have limit like it should
not exceed 160cm./20kilos. And if you need a danbo-ru 段ボール (Cardboard).

It's good if you can measure the box beforehand so you have an idea if you were asked.

One more thing if they sense that you have difficulties speaking Japanese then they
will speak slowly and more clearly for you.

Ja ne! Don't be scared just use it. What is the worst thing that could happen??? nothing coz
you can call again and again and again.. and maybe ask a Japanese friend to help you. :)

Making your Japanese 106/109 keyboard to work on Windows 7 English Platform

Here is an easy step to make your Japanese keyboard work on an English environment (Windows 7).

1. Go to Control Panel.
2. Click Keyboards
3. Click Properties.
4. Click the Driver tab, and then click Update Driver.
   
   The Upgrade Device Driver Wizard starts.
5. Click Next.
6. On the Install Hardware Device Drivers page, click Display a list of the known drivers for this device so that I can choose a specific driver, and then click Next.
7. On the Select a Device Driver page, disable Show all compatible hardware by clicking the checkbox.
8. On the Select a Device Driver page, specify a Japanese keyboard driver. To do so, follow these steps:
   1. Under Manufacturers, click the manufacturer of the keyboard. For example, click Fujitsu.
   2. Under Models, click the model that you want. For example, click Fujitsu 109 USB Keyboard.
   3. Click Next, and then follow the instructions on the remaining pages of the wizard to install the keyboard driver.
9. Note that sometimes the Standard type keyboard does not work and shows a code 10 error. I'm using an HP keyboard but installed Fujitsu 109 USB keyboard.
   
   
10. That's it!
    

My quest for Japanese Fluency

You learn to speak fluent Japanese only through speaking Japanese!

Actually fluency in speaking comes only through rigorous practice and understanding of the body languages and practical uses of the words in public. This again, can be achieved through mixing with the people and try speaking with them in their language in day to day life. Even someone who is never introduced to or nor having any idea of a foreign language, can guess, with some study, what others are trying to speak, just by watching them and studying their gestures when they speaking among themselves. Gradually, he will be able to pick up the words they are using and finally, he will end up using those words in public. The same process must be adopted to learn to speak fluent Japanese.

Don't worry about right or wrong. Just speak out to everyone you find around you. Make as many Japanese friends as you can and try speaking Japanese with them. Ask them to help you correcting the mistakes after you have finished. They may not be able to resist their laugh over the strange and funny words you speak in the beginning. But things will get on easy after some time. The more you speak, the more you get affluent.

A few more things which could help you learn to speak fluent Japanese. First, mimic the Japanese way of life. You will learn a lot of words handling those objects without your own notice. Second, watch Japanese cartoons or read Japanese comics and try understanding them. Finally, keep a scrap-book. Writing helps memorizing the words and places of their application.