Quote:
Originally Posted by Tsuwabuki
This is not what I've heard, been told by employers, or read. Now I will grant that perhaps you are trying to compete with Japanese people for jobs in Japanese companies that have nothing to do with internationalism, per se. I wouldn't know. I am not interested in doing this, nor is anyone I work with.
What I have been told is:
1) Level 2 is required for translating work, interpretation work, public affairs work, and obtaining teaching certification in Japan (this is not some sort of foriegner teaching cert, it is the same teaching cert as native Japanese teachers). Level 1 is not required (although it certainly doesn't hurt!)
2) Level 2 is required for admission to universities in Japan. Level 1 is not ordinarily required.
3) Level 1 is considered, by the test administrators, to make one as fluent as native speakers. Whether that is reality or not, it is what I was told.
If you have sources stating otherwise, I'd like to see them, because my research and career planning has me eventually taking level two to get my Japanese teaching certification, which in addition to level 2, requires courses at a Japanese university.
|
Well I am happy you have heard otherwise, but whenever I have done job searches on the net nearly all of the jobs where Japanese is to be used as part of the work requirements (and not just to get by) the employer wants you to be top notch. Most want somebody who is fluent/native/business level. Meaning you need to be at LEAST at level 1.
Take a look at the jobs listings on this site for instance.
[CFN]CAREER FORUM.NET-Career Site for Japanese-English Bilinguals
I do not know who would hire somebody who only has level 2 to be a translator or interpreter, because it is really not sufficient. Could you please show me these jobs you have found?
Also, where have you found it written that the test administrators have stated that they equate passing level 1 with being on par with a native speaker? I can tell you from personal experience that passing level one does not make you like a native speaker. So I would like to see your sources for such claims.
The one point I can agree with you on is getting into a university because I have heard level 2 will get you in to some (not all).