Not sure where to start in jp101

[kamisoyokaze6154]

I've been studying Japanese for 1.5 years, In terms of grammar I'd say I know a fair amount of the grammar I'd see daily in Japanese, in terms of vocabulary, it's probably lacking. I decided to use jp101 because my listening is lacking, so I thought this would be a good way to combat it.

However I have no idea where to start, I don't want to skip ahead and miss loads of useful info, but equally I don't want to waste hours on stuff I already know well. Going through lessons trying to find where I am is not something I'd really like to do either, hehe. So I was wondering where about I should start. If you need any more info on my level, just ask.

Hopefully someone can help me, thanks

EDIT: Oh i forgot to mention, that yes I have looked through the descriptions of all the series' I just find them too vague to be able to gauge whether I am at that level or not.

[community.japanese]

amisoyokaze6154-san,
kon'nichiwa!
Well, it's very difficult to tell exactly where you should start as we can never know your exact level simply by
description (it's not only you; it's always very difficult to tell), but thank you very much for letting us know about your
current levels
If you're reluctant to check lessons before finding out your actual level, one of the possible ways would be try one lesson in JLPT preparation. It might tell you "what" you don't know about grammar, which is your strengh. Then you can search
the lessons convering those grammar point!

Another possible way is see the curriculum, see lesson context more or less (grammar point, situation, possible
vocab field, etc.) and then, instead of listening to the lesson, check first the Lesson Note (PDF) and read the dialog and
check vocab and grammar. If that seems not just interesting but really confirms you that you want to try the lesson,
you can finally "play" the audio. How does this sound?
Hope it works for you!
If not, let us know more about your wants anytime!

Natsuko(奈津子),
Team JapanesePod101.com

[kamisoyokaze6154]

Ok thanks, I'll try out your suggestions, worst comes to the worst, I'll find a place roughly a little below my level and start from there, that way I wont miss anything important, and the extra practice wont hurt...

[community.japanese]

kamisoyokaze6154-san,
Brilliant!
Exactly like you said, extra practice never hurts; it will just help you!
If you find any problems and/or questions, please ask us any time

Natsuko(奈津子),
Team JapanesePod101.com

[mkdn]

Greetings,
I did not want to start a new topic, since something similar was already created.
Please advise, I will soon finish the intermediate season 1 course, and not sure wether to proceed to upper intermediate or to advance courses. I got a brief grasp of both first lessons in the upper intermediate and advance, and they both seem relatively equal in terms of new challenge.
I do not plan on taking any tests like JLPT in nearest future, my main goal is to study as many new words+kanji in sentences as possible, as I slowly step into the world of reading light novels.
Thanks

[community.japanese]

Mkdn san,
Konnichiwa.
How about trying two or three lesson of upper intermediate lessons?
Then if they are too easy, you can go to advanced lessons.
Yuki 由紀
Team JapanesePod101.com