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Post by Aya Raincoat on Jan 9, 2020 8:43:15 GMT 9
zaza Based on what you wrote, I'm thinking maybe not, but if you're a student in the 上級2 class at OJLS and the teacher hasn't changed/changed her methods, what you do for homework and the follow-up during class is very similar to what you need to do in the Japanese part of the interview. As for ways to prepare, I think everyone should think of their weaknesses: have trouble listening to Japanese out of the blue? Listen to podcasts, news, YouTube videos, etc. Not sure you can read the articles without fumbling? Read text out loud without checking the kanji first (I've had interviewers let me read it in my head first, and others who said no. (from Ottawa)) Not confident in your kanji? Read anything! (I read Fruits Basket and Gin no Saji, haha.) Thank you for the tips! I am not at OJLS (Just a graduating Carleton student), so not quite sure about their course work. Passed N2 in December 2018, and then sadly failed N1 by 5% this past summer. Feeling a bit hopeful about passing N1 this past December though, but I don't think I will have my results by the time of my possible interview date anyways. Were there many other people applying from Ottawa during the times you interviewed? Hm, well I guess you could always register for the next semester and see, but at this point there aren't that many classes before your interview, haha ^^; I think it's a good way to keep your Japanese once you get back from Japan, though!
In the past I got my N1 results the same week as my interview or something, so you may have some hope yet!!
When I got in, we were 3 CIRs applying and we actually all got it! (Granted I was waitlisted again and was only an upgrade ^^; ) That being said, there were way more CIRs out of Canada in general that year (13!), so it's hard to tell what it actually means.
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Post by beniyuri on Jan 10, 2020 9:57:16 GMT 9
Hello! I was here a year ago and thank you so much for sharing your experiences. I applied for 2020, and I got the first stage...Next is interview..
More worrying like everyone for the Japanese part💦 I have not been practicing speaking in Japanese...I speak like an elementary kid...And when it comes to reading I am pretty bad in a way - I know what it means but tend to forget the reading. I guess I need to practice reading aloud to test myself.
Thanks for the links for the articles, too!
Ps: congrats who got in to the interview stage too!
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seduy
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 25
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Post by seduy on Jan 12, 2020 22:15:18 GMT 9
When I was reflecting back on my application recently, I vaguely remembered that there was an option on the placement section about Fukushima. Something about working on a special project related to public health (I think?). Does anyone remember more details about that?
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Post by kmc on Jan 15, 2020 8:36:44 GMT 9
I've been doing a lot of news article reading in preparation for the interview. In the event I don't know a Kanji is it okay to ask for the Japanese reading? Or best to just skip it?
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Post by Aya Raincoat on Jan 15, 2020 8:51:51 GMT 9
I've been doing a lot of news article reading in preparation for the interview. In the event I don't know a Kanji is it okay to ask for the Japanese reading? Or best to just skip it? In my experience, some interview panels will help you, and some won't. It's okay to ask though, I think, since it shows that you're not afraid to rely on others, which you'll definitely do here! |
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Post by Leilo on Jan 15, 2020 9:26:39 GMT 9
For better or worse I think I paused for a second then just skipped/didn't read the kanji when I didn't know it. At first I thought maybe they'd tell me when it was obviouss I didn't know (i.e. pausing) but they didn't so I just went with it. Maybe it would have been fine to ask but I would have felt bad having to ask a few times? So in stead I just skipped a word a few times orz (I suppose either way is fine?)
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zaza
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 25
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Post by zaza on Jan 15, 2020 10:07:34 GMT 9
Well, I got accepted for an interview. Hopefully it works out.
I have heard that sometimes candidates get interviewed over the phone in Japanese. Is it safe to say that I am in the clear for this since I now have a in-person interview lined up?
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Post by michiru on Jan 15, 2020 10:55:30 GMT 9
Well, I got accepted for an interview. Hopefully it works out. I have heard that sometimes candidates get interviewed over the phone in Japanese. Is it safe to say that I am in the clear for this since I now have a in-person interview lined up? I, too, have heard that some people in some countries have gotten a surprise phone call in Japanese from the JET people, apparently to test that they can handle surprise Japanese? But everyone has to do an in-person interview, so I think it has to do more with where you live and what they decide to do there. I am under the impression that it's fairly rare, though. This did not happen to me, and I remember when it was brought up on Reddit last year most people were like, WTF? |
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Post by Aya Raincoat on Jan 15, 2020 10:57:10 GMT 9
Well, I got accepted for an interview. Hopefully it works out. I have heard that sometimes candidates get interviewed over the phone in Japanese. Is it safe to say that I am in the clear for this since I now have a in-person interview lined up? Congrats! I saw the message from the embassy and then forgot to ask you...
The phone interviews are to check your Japanese level and are not related to the in-person interview per se, so you could still get a call. I got one my first two times applying, if I remember correctly. Before getting my N1 results.
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Post by 𝑜𝓇𝒾𝒽𝒾𝓂𝑒 on Jan 15, 2020 11:03:55 GMT 9
I've been doing a lot of news article reading in preparation for the interview. In the event I don't know a Kanji is it okay to ask for the Japanese reading? Or best to just skip it? At my interview (London) I was able to pause and they'd say the reading for me, no matter how many Kanji I paused at (or that I'd read it successfully the first time and then blanked on the same Kanji the second time XD)
But as the others have said, not all panels do this so I wouldn't go in expecting that they'll do it ^^;;;
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Post by Frankie on Jan 15, 2020 11:27:34 GMT 9
Interview in a few hours time... I don't know how to feel prepared for it. I just think that I should just be myself.
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Post by 𝑜𝓇𝒾𝒽𝒾𝓂𝑒 on Jan 15, 2020 11:47:06 GMT 9
Interview in a few hours time... I don't know how to feel prepared for it. I just think that I should just be myself. It is hard to feel prepared for it, I didn't feel prepared when I took it either, all you can do is your best!~ ^^
Good luck!
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Post by herakleitos on Jan 15, 2020 12:49:12 GMT 9
Hey everybody! I just got notification I was accepted for an interview in a few weeks time, felt the iron first of prep-necessity ever so lightly poke my forehead with is pinky. Though to be honest I'm not TOO scared of the idea of the reading sections as I felt like the reading on the JLPT N1 was manageable (though tbf don't have my results yet). I guess more concerning to me is in the event I am selected what sort of roller coaster I may be heading for... I guess there's no success in worrying about things that aren't yet set in stone. Though right now I'm trying to think of the kind of things I might bring to the CIR program in my capacity. Maybe it won't pay to overthink on that count.
Anyway, nice to make everybody's acquaintance.
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Post by 🍅™️ on Jan 15, 2020 12:56:39 GMT 9
Good luck to everyone with their future interviews!!
I shared this on last year's thread but, I even thought I failed when I walked out of my interview (after the Japanese portion of the interview the lady said to me in English "You were nervous, weren't you?"), but I was suprisingly shortlisted never-the-less. (for reference, I left with the Chicago group from the US, which was the biggest US group of that year, I believe?)
So like everyone has been saying, I also agree that the interviews are quite vaired, so I really think the best thing you can do is be yourself and go in with an air of confidence, even if it's fake.
頑張って～
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Post by Dee on Jan 15, 2020 13:48:07 GMT 9
I've been doing a lot of news article reading in preparation for the interview. In the event I don't know a Kanji is it okay to ask for the Japanese reading? Or best to just skip it? In my interview in the US, I flat out said I didn't know how to pronounce a word and the interviewer would read it for me, then I read it back to them. Good luck to everyone on their interviews!!!! |
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mobo573
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 19
CIR Experience: Prospective CIR
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Post by mobo573 on Jan 15, 2020 14:38:54 GMT 9
Got my interview notification today so that’s a pretty cool first step! Anyone interviewing in Vancouver? Might see you there!
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Post by Aya Raincoat on Jan 15, 2020 14:44:30 GMT 9
I'm looking forward to new frequent Canadian posters on here T^T
Good luck all of you!!!
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Post by Frankie on Jan 15, 2020 15:41:49 GMT 9
Just finished my interview and I didn't get to ask any question as they didn't ask me to. The reading was bad for me... Until my last question in Japanese I couldn't really understand it, I didn't want to answer it wrongly I asked if she can mentioned in it in English, she say 英語ができない。and post me with another question instead.
I think I am doomed.
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zaza
Straight outta Narita
Posts: 25
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Post by zaza on Jan 16, 2020 2:24:23 GMT 9
Well, I got accepted for an interview. Hopefully it works out. I have heard that sometimes candidates get interviewed over the phone in Japanese. Is it safe to say that I am in the clear for this since I now have a in-person interview lined up? Congrats! I saw the message from the embassy and then forgot to ask you...
The phone interviews are to check your Japanese level and are not related to the in-person interview per se, so you could still get a call. I got one my first two times applying, if I remember correctly. Before getting my N1 results.
Thank you! Oh geez, that's skoopy. Well, I'll be preparing as best I can each day until the interview anyways, so best not overthink it. |
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Post by Nat on Jan 16, 2020 5:09:34 GMT 9
I have my interview in a couple weeks. I passed N2 in Dec. 2018, but just barely passed the reading section, so I am really nervous for the reading portion of the interview. I have confidence in my speaking ability, but if I cannot understand the reading, I feel like I am doomed. Any advice on approaching the reading in such a short amount of time?
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Post by beniyuri on Jan 16, 2020 9:36:24 GMT 9
I just want to ask if there is any English language CIRs in SHIKOK? If there is - is it like rare?
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Post by thelatter on Jan 16, 2020 9:42:17 GMT 9
I just want to ask if there is any English language CIRs in SHIKOK? If there is - is it like rare? Calling sworn enemies 🍅™️ and ことしも魚ろしく. |
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Post by michiru on Jan 16, 2020 9:46:40 GMT 9
I just want to ask if there is any English language CIRs in SHIKOK? If there is - is it like rare? Hello! English-language CIR in K.ochi here. There are quite a few of us in SHIKOK, actually! In K.ochi at least, I'm pretty sure that the majority of CIRs are English language. I don't think English CIRs in SHIKOK are any rarer than other parts of Japan? |
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Post by 🍅™️ on Jan 16, 2020 10:12:27 GMT 9
I just want to ask if there is any English language CIRs in SHIKOK? If there is - is it like rare? Hello!!
I am in Tokushim.a City! I believe there are 3? Native English speaking CIRs in the prefecture? But all are located in Tokshim.a City. (Two in the 県庁 and one (me) in the City Hall)
But yes, there are definitely people in Shikok.u, like michiru said. I think Koch.i might have the most English native speaking CIRs in Shikok.u?
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Post by Aya Raincoat on Jan 16, 2020 10:15:22 GMT 9
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Post by ことしも魚ろしく on Jan 16, 2020 10:15:58 GMT 9
19 CIRs in High Knowledge!
Edit: oops didn’t read fully
12 EIGOKEN CIRs in K.ochi!
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Post by Aqua on Jan 16, 2020 11:03:03 GMT 9
Just want to pop in and say good luck with the interviews!
Don't worry so much about your JLPT levels, I had actually taken the N2 a month before my interview and failed it, but still got the CIR job. And I still don't have an N2. The Japanese ability you show off in your interview is much more important than any paper test could be. I asked a few questions during my interview, for kanji readings and once if the interviewer could repeat the question in more 優しい日本語 and they seemed really happy about it actually. So don't be afraid to ask for help, it shows that you're not just nodding and going "Yeah, yeah, I understand" when you really don't. Just show that you're willing to continue learning, because JET really is a learning curve. You never know what kind of situations you'll end up dealing with, so being able to adapt is pretty important.
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Post by rezkei on Jan 16, 2020 11:27:57 GMT 9
Just want to pop in and say good luck with the interviews! Don't worry so much about your JLPT levels, I had actually taken the N2 a month before my interview and failed it, but still got the CIR job. And I still don't have an N2. The Japanese ability you show off in your interview is much more important than any paper test could be. I asked a few questions during my interview, for kanji readings and once if the interviewer could repeat the question in more 優しい日本語 and they seemed really happy about it actually. So don't be afraid to ask for help, it shows that you're not just nodding and going "Yeah, yeah, I understand" when you really don't. Just show that you're willing to continue learning, because JET really is a learning curve. You never know what kind of situations you'll end up dealing with, so being able to adapt is pretty important. Gonna chime in about the bolded part here in case anyone is worried about the exact opposite problem like I was when I interviewed. I had N1 and a bunch of experiences that look great on paper, but I hadn't used Japanese in any practical applications for years and was rusty as heck at everything aside from reading. My Japanese portion of the interview went so poorly I was in tears the whole 3-ish hour drive home, but I got shortlisted anyway. I'm sure there were a lot of factors, but I feel like a big part of me getting in was my JLPT certification acting as proof that I'm not necessarily as dumb as I seemed in-person. |
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Post by 𝑜𝓇𝒾𝒽𝒾𝓂𝑒 on Jan 16, 2020 11:35:46 GMT 9
Just want to pop in and say good luck with the interviews! Don't worry so much about your JLPT levels, I had actually taken the N2 a month before my interview and failed it, but still got the CIR job. And I still don't have an N2. The Japanese ability you show off in your interview is much more important than any paper test could be. I asked a few questions during my interview, for kanji readings and once if the interviewer could repeat the question in more 優しい日本語 and they seemed really happy about it actually. So don't be afraid to ask for help, it shows that you're not just nodding and going "Yeah, yeah, I understand" when you really don't. Just show that you're willing to continue learning, because JET really is a learning curve. You never know what kind of situations you'll end up dealing with, so being able to adapt is pretty important. Gonna chime in about the bolded part here in case anyone is worried about the exact opposite problem like I was when I interviewed. I had N1 and a bunch of experiences that look great on paper, but I hadn't used Japanese in any practical applications for years and was rusty as heck at everything aside from reading. My Japanese portion of the interview went so poorly I was in tears the whole 3-ish hour drive home, but I got shortlisted anyway. I'm sure there were a lot of factors, but I feel like a big part of me getting in was my JLPT certification acting as proof that I'm not necessarily as dumb as I seemed in-person. These are both very reassuring!
To add to the reassuring-ness, coincidentally I felt I was TARINAI in both areas as I didn't feel like I did that well in the interview (I couldn't read a lot of the Kanji and kinda stumbled over my words in Japanese, and said MAA about twenty times), nor did I even have N2 at that point (I'd taken it and was awaiting results at the time, but failed that year) and although I didn't get straight through to the shortlist, even I got waitlisted, so although I'd say prepare as much as you can to help yourself feel ready for the interview, if it doesn't go as well as you hoped you might still have a chance!
We're all rooting for you new peeps!~ <3
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Post by kiseki on Jan 16, 2020 11:40:04 GMT 9
When I was preparing for the interview (didn’t know this forum existed) I was looking up people’s experiences on Reddit. One person said something that really helped me relax when it came to the Japanese portion and that was: “They aren’t looking for you to have native-level Japanese. If they wanted that, they would just hire a Japanese person instead.”
Made me feel so much better.
The thing is, yes, you should be decently good at Japanese, it’s like the only requirement, but you don’t have to be perfect. If you make a mistake, you make a mistake. And it’s okay!! Even native speakers make mistakes.
Also, whether or not you have a JLPT certification isn’t all that important. What it does is it helps the interviewers know what your level is (or should be) before you’re actually interviewed. I hadn’t taken a single JLPT before my interview. But nonetheless that didn’t matter to them, because either way they were gonna test my ability.
(Disclaimer: I will say that I was incredibly lucky because the article I had to read was a topic I had read multiple articles on in my Japanese class the pervious semester. So I was already comfortable with the topic.)
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