Teaching to the Overview of En Proficiency Tes Sarah Baughn (Ishikawa)
As the world’s most studied language, the English language has a multitude of tests available to test your skills. Though most people in Japan default to the Eiken, there are three other popular English proficiency test options that deserve consideration when coaching students on what exams will help them reach their goals: TOEFL, TOEIC, and IELTS. This article will begin by offering a brief overview of the Eiken test. However, as a result of the Eiken test’s lack of validity among many foreign institutions, it’s important to at least understand the basics of some of the many different test options available. Eiken The Nihon Eigo Kentei Kyokai (commonly referred to as Eiken) proficiency test is the most commonly-known exam in Japan and is the test English teachers and ALTs will most often be asked to assist with. It’s run by a public-interest foundation and is supported by the Ministry of Education in Japan. The exam has been around for over 50 years and is likely the one you’ll see most advertised in Japanese academic institutions because of that existing foundation. A plus for English learners who would like to see their studies line up with some sort of official standard is that the Eiken exam offers a structure that is congruent with the current Japanese curriculum for learning English. In terms of the exam timeline and payment, it’s also offered more frequently and at around half the price of other English exams in Japan. There’s a total of seven levels, from Grade 5 to Grade 1, including Grade Pre-2 and Grade Pre-1. Grades 5 and 4 are aimed towards Japanese junior high schoolers in their first and second years and only require them to pass a listening test, though they’re given the option to take a speaking test as well. Grade 3 is aimed for graduating junior high schoolers and adds in a required interview-format speaking test. Grade Pre-2, aimed for high school students, ups the difficulty by adding a reading and writing section and is followed by 80 |
