japan – Learn Japanese, Cantonese, Mandarin

If there’s one thing we’ve learned so far by living in Japan, it’s that Japanese websites love text and html… lots of html.

The JLPT registration process is no exception to this rule. The registration deadline for the second test in 2015 is 9/30/2015!!! So do your best to register quickly. The next JLPT test date is 12/06/2015

Step 1) Visit https://my.jees-jlpt.jp/user/VPPSLRMP010.php and register for your MyJLPT ID

Step 2) After you have been given your ID, login here: https://my.jees-jlpt.jp/user/VCPGCLGN010.php Once you login with your MyJLPT ID, fill out the application form and pay 5,500 Yen by credit card. If you are in Japan, you can also pay via combini. The confirmation of application acceptance won’t happen until the close of the registration deadline, but they will confirm on your application that you are all paid up.

You will receive the test voucher in the mail, and if you’re lucky you may be selected for the practice test which will allow you to take a practice test one month early and get paid 2,000 yen for your troubles. This is done by a lottery and I have no information on how applicants are selected, so don’t ask!

It’s as easy as that. Are you taking the JLPT? Leave a comment

Japan is an interesting place and most foreigners will find things that they don’t understand. One of the most comically different things is Japanese body gestures and body language.

Check out these five funny gestures below! More Japanese Lessons!

Please! / I’m sorry!

You can ask please by putting your hands together and saying onegaishimasu. You can also use this gesture to say that you are sorry!

“Me?”

If you want to ask if someone is talking about you you can point to your nose and upturn your eyebrows. You can also ask “Watashi?” while doing this.

“Come here for a minute!” / “come here!”

By limp wristedly flapping your wrist up and down with a downturned palm, you can beckon for someone to come over to you! It is the equivalent of the curled finger motion, but with non sexually suggestive undertones.

“They’re arguing!”

By straightening your two index fingers and alternately crossing their paths (think itsy bitsy spider), you can let someone know that an argument is happening. You do not need to use words with this gesture.

“No Way!”

By waving your hand in front of your face as if you are batting away a cloud of noxious smell, you can signal that you are in complete disagreement! It is just like saying “no way!” in English!

Click here to get more Japanese Lessons!