▼ Improving Japan’s English Gets Lost in Translation
- Category:Experience
The country’s English-language proficiency is falling behind China’s, according to a survey
TOKYO—Japan’s English-language proficiency is falling behind China’s owing to an education system that doesn’t prioritize real-life communication skills, according to a survey that comes days after a political row over the issue erupted in Tokyo.
Japan’s 2019 English proficiency was ranked low for the fourth straight year, and the country placed below the likes of Albania and Vietnam in an annual survey released Tuesday by EF Education First, a Switzerland-based company that offers language training. China, meanwhile, moved up to moderate proficiency for the first time.
Minh Tran, co-author of a report accompanying the findings, credited Chinese curriculum revisions that put priority on communicating in English. Testing communication skills “has proven essential in increasing a nation’s fluency,” Mr. Tran said.
While entrance exams in Japan and South Korea test only passive reading and listening skills, China’s national college-entrance exam also has a writing section, and another test that many students must pass to graduate has a speaking section.
The company’s 2019 ranking is based on the results of a free online proficiency exam taken by 2.3 million people world-wide. It placed the Netherlands No. 1 in the world, while Singapore topped the Asian rankings. The EF Education First results echo findings last year by the U.S.-based Educational Testing Service, in which Japanese takers of the International Test of English for International Communication, known as Toeic, finished 44th out of 49 countries, eight spots below China.
Japan’s leaders, few of whom can communicate fluently in English, have long been aware of the problem. With the nation’s population shrinking and aging, more companies are looking to expand abroad, and the country has brought in more foreigners to fill labor gaps. Meanwhile, Japan is getting ready to welcome even more tourists for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
But an attempt by Tokyo to address the shortage of fluent English speakers collapsed last week amid a political uproar.
The plan had been to let students take private English proficiency tests that have a speaking component as part of their university applications starting in 2020. The official government English test used for college applications doesn’t have any section testing students’ ability to speak the language, which is why many elite university graduates can read English articles without being able to hold a basic conversation.
As the date for the change approached, students and teachers began to voice concerns that the new system would disadvantage poorer students living in rural areas. Some of the private tests are offered only in larger cities, and they can cost up to $200.
Education Minister Koichi Hagiuda, a close ally of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, poured fuel on the fire with a comment suggesting those who couldn’t afford the test would just have to accept that life is unfair. He later apologized, and within days the plan was scrapped.
“A minister who doesn’t understand the first thing about equal opportunities for children’s education should not be in the position of minister of education,” opposition lawmaker Mizuho Fukushima said last week, ahead of a parliamentary session this week where opposition parties are set to attack the Abe government over the issue. “The Abe administration has lost touch.”
“Japan is changing and trying to increase communication-based learning, but it will take decades to catch up with China.”
—Aki Higuchi, founder of an English-education company
The government said it would look to put in place a new English testing system by 2024. It hasn’t decided whether to include a role for private tests. The government could revise the official test to include more speaking and writing, but that could stretch its resources.
The South Korean government attempted to overhaul its national college-exam system in 2012 by investing tens of millions of dollars in designing a test that focused more on speaking and writing skills. The test was later scrapped owing to its costs and a shortage of teachers with sufficient skills.
Makiko Nakamuro, a professor at Keio University specializing in economics and education, said the issue wasn’t going to go away despite the political sensitivities. “Japan is starting to realize that the world is not going to change, but rather that Japan’s education system needs to change,” she said.
Aki Higuchi, the founder of a Tokyo-based English education company, said the students her company tutors in preparation for the private tests develop better English communication skills than students studying for national exams. “Japan is changing and trying to increase communication-based learning, but it will take decades to catch up with China,” she said.
- November 6, 2019
- Comment (1675)
- Trackback(0)
Comment(s) Write comment
wwfbh9iec6g canadian pharmacy viagra <a href="https://www.zotero.org/vanshade40/cv">canada med</a> what does viagra do [url=https://sehu888.cc/home.php?mod=space&uid=110012]viagra cialis[/url] canadian generic cialis
online pharmacies canada <a href="https://pastelink.net/iudo1ggb">canadian pharmacy reviews</a> pills from canada [url=http://flymouses.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=667795]canada online drugstore[/url] order medications online
canadian drugs without prescription <a href="https://sixn.net/home.php?mod=space&uid=428222">walmart prescription prices</a> buy viagra uk [url=http://www.v0795.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=1306717]price of cialis in canada[/url] viagra sale online
online pharmacies canada <a href="https://pastelink.net/iudo1ggb">canadian pharmacy reviews</a> pills from canada [url=http://flymouses.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=667795]canada online drugstore[/url] order medications online
canadian drugs without prescription <a href="https://sixn.net/home.php?mod=space&uid=428222">walmart prescription prices</a> buy viagra uk [url=http://www.v0795.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=1306717]price of cialis in canada[/url] viagra sale online
-
gnu1cwxfhrf Web Site
- January 16, 2023
fcs9o46su4r viagra doses <a href="http://vipersrc.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=393452">tadalafil india pharmacy</a> canadian.cialis [url=https://www.giantbomb.com/profile/piebaby50/about-me/]by pills from canada[/url] how to buy viagra
generic cialis online pharmacy <a href="https://menwiki.men/wiki/Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know">viagra sale</a> how to get viagra [url=https://squareblogs.net/barberfall71/exactly-how-to-buy-prescription-drugs-from-a-canadian-pharmacy]online pharmacy viagra[/url] canada drugs
canadian pharmacy - cialis <a href="https://chaomianzhu.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=587502">viagra 100</a> canadian medications [url=https://gufenghanfu.com/space-uid-529094.html]tadalafil from canada[/url] liquid viagra
generic cialis online pharmacy <a href="https://menwiki.men/wiki/Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know">viagra sale</a> how to get viagra [url=https://squareblogs.net/barberfall71/exactly-how-to-buy-prescription-drugs-from-a-canadian-pharmacy]online pharmacy viagra[/url] canada drugs
canadian pharmacy - cialis <a href="https://chaomianzhu.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=587502">viagra 100</a> canadian medications [url=https://gufenghanfu.com/space-uid-529094.html]tadalafil from canada[/url] liquid viagra
-
fczarg0vo28 Web Site
- January 16, 2023
hvp2k4uj6az ordering viagra <a href="https://atavi.com/share/vowvesz1kgipa">cheap generic viagra</a> canadian cialis] [url=https://blogs.nmit.ac.nz/showcase/question/exactly-how-to-buy-prescription-drugs-from-a-canadian-pharmacy/]canadian drug company[/url] onlinepharmaciescanada.com
online pharmacies in canada <a href="https://zippyshare.com/genderbuffet87">purchase viagra professional</a> metoprolol [url=https://minerheart.com/space-uid-716068.html]prescription cialis[/url] india generic viagra
cialis no prescription <a href="https://ipunplatform.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=403079">canadian pharmacy store</a> viagra sildenafil [url=http://www.youthnetradio.org/tmit/forum/home.php?mod=space&uid=741626]best canadian pharcharmy online[/url] what is viagra used for
online pharmacies in canada <a href="https://zippyshare.com/genderbuffet87">purchase viagra professional</a> metoprolol [url=https://minerheart.com/space-uid-716068.html]prescription cialis[/url] india generic viagra
cialis no prescription <a href="https://ipunplatform.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=403079">canadian pharmacy store</a> viagra sildenafil [url=http://www.youthnetradio.org/tmit/forum/home.php?mod=space&uid=741626]best canadian pharcharmy online[/url] what is viagra used for
-
eqczagkhef8 Web Site
- January 16, 2023
yryontndyv4 natural alternatives to viagra <a href="http://unchi.sakura.ne.jp/wiki/index.php?mckeelindberg402420">generic viagra</a> drugs online without a prescription [url=https://pastelink.net/4u5tr26b]walmart rx prices[/url] canadian.cialis
price of cialis <a href="http://52meiss.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=80190">discount meds</a> canada pharmacy online viagra [url=https://www.ivnew.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=409847]best generic cialis[/url] canadian pharmacy cialis generic
cheap viagra 100mg <a href="http://linguage.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=77845">taking viagra</a> non prescription viagra [url=https://www.zotero.org/asiaoboe07/cv]canada drug superstore[/url] purchase viagra professional
price of cialis <a href="http://52meiss.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=80190">discount meds</a> canada pharmacy online viagra [url=https://www.ivnew.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=409847]best generic cialis[/url] canadian pharmacy cialis generic
cheap viagra 100mg <a href="http://linguage.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=77845">taking viagra</a> non prescription viagra [url=https://www.zotero.org/asiaoboe07/cv]canada drug superstore[/url] purchase viagra professional
-
qbt3tylgvef Web Site
- January 16, 2023
jr6fpcnkz6c viagra patent <a href="https://notes.io/qheBb">online pharmacy canada</a> online pharmacy cialis [url=https://imouser.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=667945]female viagra pills[/url] viagra online pharmacy
cheap viagra canadian <a href="https://chessdatabase.science/wiki/Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know">purchase viagra online</a> viagra buy [url=https://www.instapaper.com/p/rugbybomb46]discount rx drugs[/url] canadian rx prices
best price on cialis <a href="https://plantpurejumpstart.com/forums/user/reasonwar61/">canada for viagra</a> buying drugs from canada [url=https://blogfreely.net/jellyrake62/exactly-how-to-buy-prescription-drugs-from-a-canadian-pharmacy]where to buy viagra online[/url] best online canadian pharmacies
cheap viagra canadian <a href="https://chessdatabase.science/wiki/Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know">purchase viagra online</a> viagra buy [url=https://www.instapaper.com/p/rugbybomb46]discount rx drugs[/url] canadian rx prices
best price on cialis <a href="https://plantpurejumpstart.com/forums/user/reasonwar61/">canada for viagra</a> buying drugs from canada [url=https://blogfreely.net/jellyrake62/exactly-how-to-buy-prescription-drugs-from-a-canadian-pharmacy]where to buy viagra online[/url] best online canadian pharmacies
-
bspeb99kcx8 Web Site
- January 16, 2023
klddmiyfo2f sildenafil generic <a href="https://atavi.com/share/vowvryz1gmapr">costco online</a> drug canada [url=https://postheaven.net/savecolon72/how-to-buy-prescription-drugs-from-a-canadian-pharmacy]viagra erection[/url] canada pharmacies online viagra
viagra erections <a href="https://godotengine.org/qa/user/northjar12">viagra facts</a> drugs-med.com [url=https://rosalind.info/users/banjowallet06]natural alternative viagra[/url] canadian cialis]
pfizer viagra <a href="http://y4yy.com/user/versepail26">discount canadian pharmacies</a> sildenafil canada [url=http://bbs.51pinzhi.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=3990642]viagra wiki[/url] viagra without prescription
viagra erections <a href="https://godotengine.org/qa/user/northjar12">viagra facts</a> drugs-med.com [url=https://rosalind.info/users/banjowallet06]natural alternative viagra[/url] canadian cialis]
pfizer viagra <a href="http://y4yy.com/user/versepail26">discount canadian pharmacies</a> sildenafil canada [url=http://bbs.51pinzhi.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=3990642]viagra wiki[/url] viagra without prescription
-
byttomkt3yb Web Site
- January 16, 2023
kgfwgjreyw7 viagra soft <a href="http://aawolf.uh-oh.jp/index.php?hornemelendez375267">viagra alternatives</a> ed canadian pharmacy [url=https://king-wifi.win/wiki/Exactly_How_to_Buy_Prescription_Drugs_From_a_Canadian_Pharmacy]northwestpharmacy.com scam[/url] viagra generic online
free viagra sample pack <a href="https://www.longisland.com/profile/versepail51">free viagra samples</a> generic viagra [url=https://ai-db.science/wiki/Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know]online drugs[/url] lowest price viagra
viagra for sale <a href="https://morphomics.science/wiki/Just_How_to_Buy_Prescription_Drugs_From_a_Canadian_Pharmacy">viagra alternative</a> canadian rx [url=https://www.giantbomb.com/profile/sphereanimal2/about-me/]generic viagra canada price[/url] viagra natural
free viagra sample pack <a href="https://www.longisland.com/profile/versepail51">free viagra samples</a> generic viagra [url=https://ai-db.science/wiki/Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know]online drugs[/url] lowest price viagra
viagra for sale <a href="https://morphomics.science/wiki/Just_How_to_Buy_Prescription_Drugs_From_a_Canadian_Pharmacy">viagra alternative</a> canadian rx [url=https://www.giantbomb.com/profile/sphereanimal2/about-me/]generic viagra canada price[/url] viagra natural
-
ih1vos6r90z Web Site
- January 16, 2023
ha7fh3eb3g7 kamagra gel <a href="https://writeablog.net/sphereanimal73/just-how-to-buy-prescription-drugs-from-a-canadian-pharmacy">viagra sildenafil</a> canadian pharmacy and viagra [url=https://algowiki.win/wiki/Post:Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know]viagra.canada[/url] walmart drug prices
prescription medication canada <a href="https://cameradb.review/wiki/Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know">does generic viagra work</a> canada prescriptions online [url=https://www.cheaperseeker.com/u/fishguilty36]prescription for cialis[/url] free samples canada
price for cialis <a href="https://studyroom.co.za/user/vananimal75">canadian prescription drugs</a> cialis coupon for pharmacy [url=https://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/PageRedirect.aspx?redirectedurl=http://www.canadotcphar.com/]generic viagra rx[/url] cheap cialis online canadian pharmacy
prescription medication canada <a href="https://cameradb.review/wiki/Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know">does generic viagra work</a> canada prescriptions online [url=https://www.cheaperseeker.com/u/fishguilty36]prescription for cialis[/url] free samples canada
price for cialis <a href="https://studyroom.co.za/user/vananimal75">canadian prescription drugs</a> cialis coupon for pharmacy [url=https://www.pcb.its.dot.gov/PageRedirect.aspx?redirectedurl=http://www.canadotcphar.com/]generic viagra rx[/url] cheap cialis online canadian pharmacy
-
vfuhr1ie6hg Web Site
- January 16, 2023
tftku0xig4u cheap viagra canada <a href="http://zltgo.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=648485">viagra 100</a> viagra usa [url=https://bbs.now.qq.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=2761728]canada prescription[/url] online medications
best price cialis <a href="http://kiki001.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=731204">canada-cialis</a> cheap viagra generic [url=https://learn.centa.org/forums/users/rugbycornet12/]price of cialis[/url] canadian meds viagra
lowest price viagra <a href="http://ddzjcn.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=655217">women taking viagra</a> pink viagra [url=https://www.evilusions.com/forums/users/reasonoboe10/]discount viagra[/url] discount canadian pharmacies
best price cialis <a href="http://kiki001.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=731204">canada-cialis</a> cheap viagra generic [url=https://learn.centa.org/forums/users/rugbycornet12/]price of cialis[/url] canadian meds viagra
lowest price viagra <a href="http://ddzjcn.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=655217">women taking viagra</a> pink viagra [url=https://www.evilusions.com/forums/users/reasonoboe10/]discount viagra[/url] discount canadian pharmacies
-
jv49gexxyl0 Web Site
- January 16, 2023
pqs4trhcgsl getting a prescription online <a href="https://urlscan.io/result/d2be1a81-632f-48f4-933c-568516fdce1f/">viagra cheapest</a> canadian online pharmacy [url=http://bbs.2016xiaozhuge.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=7950363]canada pharmacies online viagra[/url] walmart drug prices without insurance
real viagra <a href="https://fsquan8.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=400959">best prices for cialis</a> generic viagra rx [url=https://bbs.now.qq.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=2761584]canadian-pharcharmy-[/url] cialis without prescription
canadian meds <a href="https://bit.ly/3MuYq6i+">online cheap viagra</a> viagra without a doctor prescription [url=https://driverpoisk.ru/user/banjocolon98]viagra samples free[/url] viagra natural
real viagra <a href="https://fsquan8.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=400959">best prices for cialis</a> generic viagra rx [url=https://bbs.now.qq.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=2761584]canadian-pharcharmy-[/url] cialis without prescription
canadian meds <a href="https://bit.ly/3MuYq6i+">online cheap viagra</a> viagra without a doctor prescription [url=https://driverpoisk.ru/user/banjocolon98]viagra samples free[/url] viagra natural
-
oukmq63hg9h Web Site
- January 16, 2023
cakfs3mz952 medications.com <a href="https://yogicentral.science/wiki/Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know">canadian cialis</a> viamedic .com [url=https://www.indiegogo.com/individuals/30555667/]viamedic com[/url] buy real viagra
online pharmacy canada <a href="http://www.drugoffice.gov.hk/gb/unigb/www.canadotcphar.com/">internet pharmacy</a> viagra sales [url=https://menwiki.men/wiki/Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know]buy viagra new york[/url] canadian levitra
viagra online uk <a href="http://www.ksjy88.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=2611211">canadian pharmacy com</a> drugs from canada [url=http://ikeynote.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=3880250]canadian rx[/url] rx meds
online pharmacy canada <a href="http://www.drugoffice.gov.hk/gb/unigb/www.canadotcphar.com/">internet pharmacy</a> viagra sales [url=https://menwiki.men/wiki/Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know]buy viagra new york[/url] canadian levitra
viagra online uk <a href="http://www.ksjy88.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=2611211">canadian pharmacy com</a> drugs from canada [url=http://ikeynote.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=3880250]canadian rx[/url] rx meds
-
dasel88p8zr Web Site
- January 16, 2023
ft7zdqbv16g discount viagra <a href="https://www.longisland.com/profile/pieeye37">cialis canadian pharmacy's</a> generic viagra sale [url=http://yaya-home.ch/home.php?mod=space&uid=530199]discount meds[/url] cost of viagra
shopping online canada <a href="https://zippyshare.com/gendergarlic82">cialis in canada</a> viagra online in canada [url=https://menwiki.men/wiki/Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know]viagra drug[/url] cheap viagra in canada
canadian online pharmacy for cialis <a href="https://dppet.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=743118">discount tadalafil</a> cialis for daily use [url=https://site-9197287-2605-5330.mystrikingly.com/blog/five-facts-about-pharmacy-you-need-to-know]buying viagra online[/url] cost of cialis at walgreens
shopping online canada <a href="https://zippyshare.com/gendergarlic82">cialis in canada</a> viagra online in canada [url=https://menwiki.men/wiki/Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know]viagra drug[/url] cheap viagra in canada
canadian online pharmacy for cialis <a href="https://dppet.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=743118">discount tadalafil</a> cialis for daily use [url=https://site-9197287-2605-5330.mystrikingly.com/blog/five-facts-about-pharmacy-you-need-to-know]buying viagra online[/url] cost of cialis at walgreens
-
enl0djld021 Web Site
- January 16, 2023
tcwoofybshs canada for viagra <a href="https://vuf.minagricultura.gov.co/Lists/Informacin%20Servicios%20Web/DispForm.aspx?ID=3278197">us pharmacy cialis</a> by pills from canada [url=https://sixn.net/home.php?mod=space&uid=428307]viagra soft[/url] prescription drugs without a prescription
canadian tadalafil <a href="http://idea.informer.com/users/squidbeach55/?what=personal">viagra free samples</a> viagra uk [url=https://pattern-wiki.win/wiki/How_to_Buy_Prescription_Drugs_From_a_Canadian_Pharmacy]best canadian pharcharmy online[/url] cheap cialis online canada pharmacy
viagra for women <a href="https://pastelink.net/vuo7wjib">online pharmacy without a prescription</a> viagra wikipedia [url=http://unchi.sakura.ne.jp/wiki/index.php?qvistbreum435559]buy cialis online[/url] prescription codes
canadian tadalafil <a href="http://idea.informer.com/users/squidbeach55/?what=personal">viagra free samples</a> viagra uk [url=https://pattern-wiki.win/wiki/How_to_Buy_Prescription_Drugs_From_a_Canadian_Pharmacy]best canadian pharcharmy online[/url] cheap cialis online canada pharmacy
viagra for women <a href="https://pastelink.net/vuo7wjib">online pharmacy without a prescription</a> viagra wikipedia [url=http://unchi.sakura.ne.jp/wiki/index.php?qvistbreum435559]buy cialis online[/url] prescription codes
-
pl6hkq5vi4v Web Site
- January 16, 2023
or98ivmycuo canada med <a href="http://bbs.txzqzb.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=1293705">viagra from a pharmacy in canada</a> viagra ingredients [url=http://kiki001.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=731260]viagra best price[/url] canada rx pharmacy
viagra pills for sale <a href="http://hawkee.com/profile/2266025/">canadian pharmacy without prescription</a> india pharmacy viagra [url=http://11vue.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=44762]how long does viagra last[/url] prescription cialis
viagra without a doctor prescription from canada <a href="http://lz13w.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=222204">buy viagra usa</a> buy viagra without prescription canada [url=https://wxgcs.cn/space-uid-667252.html]buy generic viagra[/url] viagra instructions
viagra pills for sale <a href="http://hawkee.com/profile/2266025/">canadian pharmacy without prescription</a> india pharmacy viagra [url=http://11vue.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=44762]how long does viagra last[/url] prescription cialis
viagra without a doctor prescription from canada <a href="http://lz13w.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=222204">buy viagra usa</a> buy viagra without prescription canada [url=https://wxgcs.cn/space-uid-667252.html]buy generic viagra[/url] viagra instructions
-
pqqkoepd9jr Web Site
- January 16, 2023
viagra prescription online <a href="https://writeablog.net/cloverbeach02/five-facts-about-pharmacy-you-need-to-know">cialis online canadian pharmacy</a> 5 mg cialis canada [url=https://qnbuz.net:443/user/seatbeach37]buy cheap viagra online uk[/url] canadian pharcharmy's
lowest price on cialis <a href="https://www.haoyouhuiba.com/space-uid-733779.html">uk viagra sales</a> ed pills online [url=https://www.cheaperseeker.com/u/outputoboe44]viagra without a doctor prescription canada[/url] best generic viagra
wl4wwbbag88 Web Site- January 16, 2023