Why The Kake Speech Contest 2018 Convinced Me to Study Japanese Seriously

Last February 19, 2022, I had the pleasure of watching the 49th Nihongo Speech Contest organized by the Japan Foundation Manila (JFM).

I watched the contest to get listening practice, and I was delighted to hear the interesting speeches of each of the contestants who impressed the audience and judges with their Japanese skills.

Watching them, I was once again reminded of my experience in joining a Japanese speech contest in 2018. This was a life-changing event for me, as it convinced me to study Japanese beyond the basic level.

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Japanese NAT-TEST: All You Need to Know About the Best Substitute for JLPT

After two years since the pandemic started, the Japan Foundation Manila (JFM) has finally decided to resume the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT). But here’s the catch: Only the most difficult levels, N1 and N2, will be conducted for the July 2022 exam in Manila.

This is a huge problem for those who want to take lower levels of the JLPT especially N4, the level which always has the greatest number of Filipino examinees by a wide margin.

Fortunately, the Japanese NAT-TEST (or “NAT-TEST”) can be the perfect alternative. While not as famous as the JLPT, it serves the same purpose and is widely accepted in the Philippines.

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What Does It Feel Like to Study at NCF? Part 1: Basic Japanese

In my previous article, I listed some of the best Japanese language schools in the Philippines. Among them is Nihongo Center Foundation (NCF).

I have been studying at NCF ever since I started learning Japanese in February 2018. My growth and interest in the Japanese language have been largely shaped by NCF.

If you are interested in starting your journey in Japanese at NCF, I hope this personal blog post will give you insights into the actual learning experience at a well-respected and top-notch Japanese language institute.

Continue reading “What Does It Feel Like to Study at NCF? Part 1: Basic Japanese”