New Japanese Proficiency Test 2010

Following is the partial information on the new Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) or the Nihongo noryouku shiken (日本語能力試験） which will be implemented in 2010.


1-1. Target and Purpose:

In principle the target of this test people whose mother tongue is not
Japanese. This test is to measure and certify the Japanese Language
proficiency of a wide range of people who are learning and using
Japanese language.

1-2. Revised points:

1.Measure the language communication ability in order to accomplish
tasks.

In the new test along with Japanese language knowledge, importance
will be given to Japanese language which can be applied practically.
Hence, language knowledge (script, vocabulary, and grammar) and the
ability to accomplish the tasks using this language knowledge will be
measured.

2.Level is increased from 4 to 5.

In the new test the number of grades will be increased from 4 to 5. In
the current test the 4 grades are ikkyu, nikyuu, sankyuu and yonkyuu
(L1, L2, L3, and L4 where ‘L’ stands for level). In the current test
there will be 5 grades N1, N2, N3, N4 and N5 where N stands for
Nihongo (Japanese) and New.

N1: It will measure a slightly higher level than the current L1 and
the passing marks will be same as the current test.
N2: Almost same as the current L2.
N3: This is the new grade in-between current L2 and L3.
N4: Almost same as the current L3.
N5: Almost same as the current L4.

N5 is the basic level and N1 is the most advanced level

3.Equalization of the scores will be done.

How much ever care is taken the difficulty of the questions vary every
year. Hence methods will be adopted to compare the scores of different
years using a linear measure. With this result it will be able to
compare the scores of different tests of the same level. This method
is widely followed for the main language tests around the globe.

4.Japanese proficiency test Can-do list (temporary name) will be
presented.

In the new test what person can do practically will be examined for
each grade and
“Japanese ability examination Can-do list” will be given. This list
will describe the possible usage in actual situations using Japanese
language for each level. It will aim at making the person who taken
the exam as well as others to understand the test results correctly.

1.3Meaning of “language communication ability in order to accomplish
tasks”

In our life we deal with different tasks. For example "going to a
place while referring to the map” or “using electrical products while
reading the manual”. There are some tasks for which language and some
tasks for which language is not required.

For tasks which language is required, script or pronunciation,
knowledge related to words, knowledge of grammar to join the words and
make sentences, knowledge to decide the order and way in which the
sentences are to be said, is necessary.
For example let us think about the following task “listen to weather
forecast and understand Tokyo’s weather tomorrow morning”. In order to
understand “Tomorrow morning’s weather of Tokyo”, knowledge of words
such as “晴れ （はれ、fine）, 曇り（くもり、 kumori）, 雨（あめ、ame）” and structure of
sentence “東京は明日は晴れでしょう”, also knowledge of the weather explanation is
required. In addition it is necessary to pick up only the Tokyo’s
weather from the information of many places.
In the new test using the language knowledge (script, vocabulary,
grammar etc) in order to accomplish tasks is called “language
communication ability in order to accomplish tasks”

In the new test “language communication ability in order to accomplish
tasks” is measured by dividing into “language knowledge, reading
comprehension, listening comprehension”.
Language knowledge
Knowledge of necessary Japanese language script, vocabulary or grammar
for accomplishment of task.
Reading comprehension
While using the language knowledge, understand the written text and
proficiency to accomplish the task.
Listening comprehension
While using the language knowledge, understand the conversation and
proficiency to accomplish the task.

AUTO RICKSHAW

The auto rickshaw (usually called AUTO) is a popular and cheap mode of private transport in India and other South Asian countries like Thailand (where it is called the TUK TUK) etc. It is a 3 wheeler and mainly is found in the petrol version although recent models are also available in LPG and CNG version's. It can carry 3 passengers but in some regions it is modified slightly so that more people can be accommodated.

Regular AUTO RICKSHAW

The older versions are polluting the air with their emissions as some of the auto's use adulterated fuel to increase their profits and are also very noisy. The Auto's plying people are in black and yellow color combination white the CNG versions which are environmentally friendly are in green and yellow in color.

Decorated AUTO RICKSHAW

You can hop onto a AUTO at the auto stand or flag down one when you see a empty one any where on the street. AUTO is a very convenient mode of transport as the auto can move to their destination quite quickly through the daily traffic chaos of Indian cities and also a slightly better alternative to the crowded and unreliable public transport. Also it saves one from searching for parking space when one is traveling by their own transport to crowded locations.
It does not have any safety features and is also bereft of any suspension hence you cannot expect a smooth ride. Also the Auto is open on both sides. In case of rains , a cloth or plastic covering is used to protect the passengers from rain.

Popemobile--> Special Auto Made for the Pope to Travel within the Vatican

The meters used by the Autos are of two types, the older mechanical meters and the new electronic meter's which indicates the distance traveled along with the fare. It is usually used for distances less than 10-12 kilometers and the minimum charge in Bangalore is 14 Indian rupees and additional 7 Indian rupees per kilometer for distances above 2 kilometers in Bangalore. During the night's 1.5 times the actual fare is to be paid. Also at major points like bus stand and railway stations prepaid auto's are available. But at certain times the driver may ask for excess fare especially late at night or where one cannot get an AUTO very easily.

AUTO FOR TRANSPORTING GOODS

Abhinav Bindra Wins Gold at Beijing Olympics!!

Abhinav Bindra won the first individual gold medal by an Indian in the 10m Air Rifle shooting competition at Beijing Olympics. This is the first time, not in this competition but in the history of the Olympics that an Indian has managed to achieve this feat. previously only the Hockey team used to win the gold and the last time that happened was in the Moscow Olympics in 1980 and that too because there was a boycott of the games by the so called Western block lead by the USA.

Congrats to the young lad and hope India gets many more medals in this meet.