I read my HSK book for 45 minutes. I’m studying adverbs and their place in sentences. I also did my 5 words a day.
Tag: language learning
12th August 2020 – French
I did 30 minutes of Duolingo. I’ve moved on to the routine topic which features reflexive verbs.
10th August 2020 – Chinese
I did my five words of the day and then read my HSK 4 grammar book for around 45 minutes. Not much sunk in….
10th August 2020 – French
I did 30 minutes of Duolingo. The topic I’m studying at the moment is directions. I should be able to move onto a new topic tomorrow.
9th August 2020 – Chinese
I started my “5 words a day” today. I’m going to study 5 words from my HSK vocabulary text book every day, with one day off a week to review. I read my HSK level 4 grammar book for about 45 minutes. Not sure how much sunk in though. I’ll have to go through it a few times I think.
9th August 2020 – French
I did quite a lot today. I did a unit from my level 4 textbook. That took a hour. The unit was about pronouns. I could answer most of the practice questions, but I had to stop and think about a few, which means I still haven’t sorted direct and indirect pronouns out in my head. I then did an hour of Duolingo. Making up for no study yesterday!
7th August 2020 – Chinese
I read my HSK4 textbook for 45 minutes. I have realised that I really need to build my vocabulary, so I’m going to start learning five words a day from my HSK level 1-4 vocabulary book. I’m pushing on with the HSK4 book, even though it is difficult because it is also a good review of level 3 grammar.
7th August 2020 – French
I did an hour of my new level 4 textbook. The unit I studied focussed on articles. A much-needed review! I then did 30 minutes of Duolingo. I managed to do quite a lot today.
New book
I was aiming to study for level 3 of the French test administered in Japan, but I have realised the content is above my level. I need to step back and learn some basics, so I bought a textbook for level 4. (I also bought the textbook for level 3 in the same series.) I’m going to try and do a few units a week.
Studying never ends for a translator
I used to think that once I became a translator, that would be it. I would be a fluent reader, writer and speaker of Japanese, and I wouldn’t need to study anymore. I was wrong.
I’ve been a translator for 16 years, but I’m still studying. I study for exams in my specialist fields. The exams are all in Japanese. I specialise in cosmetics, skincare, marketing and tourism, but at the moment, I’m focusing my study on cosmetics and skincare.
I’m using these books for the Cosmetics Meister and Skincare Meister exams. I hope to pass these exams this month.
Then in November, I have another cosmetics exam. I’m going to take level 2. I should have taken it earlier in the year, but it was cancelled due to COVID-19. I’m using these books.
Shortly after that exam, I’m going to take the Cosmetics Ingredients exam. I’m aiming to take level 2, and am using these books.
Next year, I’m going to take a beauty-related pharmaceuticals exam. These are the books I will use.
And, as if that is not enough, I’m going to take level 3 on a pharmaceuticals exam! I’ll use these books to study.
I’ll take the higher level exams the following year. And somehow, I’ll fit the French and Chinese tests in!
