Beginners usually have a very pertinent query about the JLPT Level at which they could be considered for relevant & gainful employment. 

This query is usually based on the concern – since there are five levels -  regarding the amount of time & effort they need to put in before becoming “productive” in a commercial sense. 

This is perfectly normal!  A beginner needs to consider the  points mentioned here about the various levels.


JLPT Level & Jobs
JLPT Entry Levels
JLPT - N5 level kanji , vocabulary  and grammar are considered very basic, sufficient for a very basic “everyday conversation” . At this JLPT level, reading and  recognizing the kanjis on sign board may not be easy.
JLPT N4 level kanji, vocabulary and grammar could get one through everyday conversation in  Japanese. Also a little  business Japanese is taught at this level. This makes it possible for the student to have  basic business conversations too. The level of conversational skills are better than JLPT N5.

Japanese Language Jobs
However JLPT N5 & N4 fall significantly short when it comes to delivering  professional translation , interpretation or training, which a Japanese bilingual job position would significantly expect.

Thus the entry level JLPT certification for Japanese language job would clearly be JLPT N3. This level also gives the Japanese language learner the confidence to speak Japanese & write Japanese better.
One must remember that JLPT level N3 is to be looked at as the minimal starting point. One may evaluate the postings at Japanese language jobs . This should convince a learner on the need to upgrade learning continuously.


Conclusion

  • JLPT N3 would be the starting level to be even considered for jobs. It needs to be emphasized that it is just the starting level. So in case one is at any of these three levels viz,  N5, N4 & N3, they need to quickly move up!
  • Most importantly, discontinued pursuit  between different JLPT levels is a bad idea, as words, grammar learnt at basic levels etc are easily forgotten. This usually does not happen at higher levels. So its a wise decision to move through the JLPT levels in quick succession.
learning japanese when young
Key Aspects to Learning Japanese


Interestingly, one’s ability to learn Japanese language accelerates as one hits higher JLPT levels. Its our experience at Sakuraa that a learner starts truly appreciating the value of Japanese learning only from JLPT N3.

At this level, a Japanese learner can start reading editorial / composition types etc since one starts to appreciate the beauty of Japanese language.

Higher Education
Needless to say, Japan holds a very high position as a target destination for higher studies. One can get scholarships for this purpose. Interestingly, weightage is given if the applicant knows Japanese language well. This means at least a JLPT N3 level qualification.