▼ 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
no3cqk3ig29 best price for generic cialis <a href="https://www.trainingpedralbes.es/forums/users/vansnow04/">canadian pharcharmy's</a> mail order viagra [url=https://linkgeanie.com/profile/spheregarden82]canadian drugs[/url] cost viagra
my canadian pharmacies <a href="https://site-9197994-7633-1348.mystrikingly.com/blog/five-facts-about-pharmacy-you-need-to-know">viagra generic</a> canadian pharmacies viagra [url=http://aawolf.uh-oh.jp/index.php?chengvalencia037046]does viagra work[/url] canadian-meds
viagra prescription online <a href="http://52meiss.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=80187">over the counter viagra alternative</a> price viagra [url=http://qooh.me/theoryshade72]how to use viagra[/url] cialis in canada
my canadian pharmacies <a href="https://site-9197994-7633-1348.mystrikingly.com/blog/five-facts-about-pharmacy-you-need-to-know">viagra generic</a> canadian pharmacies viagra [url=http://aawolf.uh-oh.jp/index.php?chengvalencia037046]does viagra work[/url] canadian-meds
viagra prescription online <a href="http://52meiss.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=80187">over the counter viagra alternative</a> price viagra [url=http://qooh.me/theoryshade72]how to use viagra[/url] cialis in canada
-
vrg2ajhj887 Web Site
- January 14, 2023
mngms1iszfw cheap viagra pills <a href="http://ezproxy.cityu.edu.hk/login?url=http://www.canadotcphar.com/">indian pharma</a> canadian pharmacy cialis generic [url=http://ikeynote.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=3880250]cheap viagra uk[/url] sildenafil viagra
canadian medication <a href="https://rosalind.info/users/seatgarden27">canadian online drugstore</a> drugs online without a prescription [url=http://51newyork.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=247244]cialis prices[/url] buy cheap viagra online uk
canadian pharmacy online for viagra <a href="https://0rz.tw/create?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadotcphar.com%2F">does viagra work</a> generic cialis canada [url=https://moparwiki.win/wiki/Post:Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know]cost of cialis at walgreens[/url] price of viagra
canadian medication <a href="https://rosalind.info/users/seatgarden27">canadian online drugstore</a> drugs online without a prescription [url=http://51newyork.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=247244]cialis prices[/url] buy cheap viagra online uk
canadian pharmacy online for viagra <a href="https://0rz.tw/create?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canadotcphar.com%2F">does viagra work</a> generic cialis canada [url=https://moparwiki.win/wiki/Post:Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know]cost of cialis at walgreens[/url] price of viagra
-
rv80vhfzn1j Web Site
- January 14, 2023
soadkbonhvi buy drugs <a href="https://notes.io/qhezU">viagra substitute</a> drugstore of canada [url=https://www.ted.com/profiles/39024296]drug world canada[/url] ed drugs - canada
northwestpharmacy.com scam <a href="http://yaya-home.ch/home.php?mod=space&uid=530037">prescription viagra</a> buying drugs from canada [url=https://unsplash.com/@outputneedle44]viagra results[/url] how much does viagra cost
viagra free sample <a href="https://funsilo.date/wiki/Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know">best price viagra</a> canadian pharmacy viagra online [url=https://studyroom.co.za/user/saveoboe11]cialis canadian pharmacy[/url] viagra prescription from canada
northwestpharmacy.com scam <a href="http://yaya-home.ch/home.php?mod=space&uid=530037">prescription viagra</a> buying drugs from canada [url=https://unsplash.com/@outputneedle44]viagra results[/url] how much does viagra cost
viagra free sample <a href="https://funsilo.date/wiki/Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know">best price viagra</a> canadian pharmacy viagra online [url=https://studyroom.co.za/user/saveoboe11]cialis canadian pharmacy[/url] viagra prescription from canada
-
snlsxcyfjz4 Web Site
- January 14, 2023
fn0xzxjqi76 buy viagra no prescription <a href="http://www.v0795.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=1306672">cost of viagra in canada</a> canada prescription [url=https://canvas.instructure.com/eportfolios/1532284/Home/Just_How_to_Buy_Prescription_Drugs_From_a_Canadian_Pharmacy]medications without prescription[/url] canadian rx prices
pfizer viagra <a href="https://www.cheaperseeker.com/u/seatwrist80">by pills from canada</a> drugs canada [url=https://fabnews.faith/wiki/How_to_Buy_Prescription_Drugs_From_a_Canadian_Pharmacy]cheap cialis from canada[/url] buying cialis canada
drugstore of canada <a href="http://kb978.com/space-uid-1260825.html">viagra free sample</a> onlinepharmaciescanada.com [url=https://godotengine.org/qa/user/seatanimal19]cialis- canadian pharmacy[/url] canada pharmacies online prescriptions
pfizer viagra <a href="https://www.cheaperseeker.com/u/seatwrist80">by pills from canada</a> drugs canada [url=https://fabnews.faith/wiki/How_to_Buy_Prescription_Drugs_From_a_Canadian_Pharmacy]cheap cialis from canada[/url] buying cialis canada
drugstore of canada <a href="http://kb978.com/space-uid-1260825.html">viagra free sample</a> onlinepharmaciescanada.com [url=https://godotengine.org/qa/user/seatanimal19]cialis- canadian pharmacy[/url] canada pharmacies online prescriptions
-
ice4sx1ee53 Web Site
- January 14, 2023
vdeianrpmcw order cialis from canada <a href="http://926gm.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=647442">canada online drugs</a> buy viagra online without a prescription [url=https://www.ted.com/profiles/39024331]buy viagra online[/url] canadian pharmacy.reviews
how much is viagra <a href="https://driverpoisk.ru/user/menujar51">canadian pharmacy.reviews</a> viagra sales online [url=http://unchi.sakura.ne.jp/wiki/index.php?kornumdemant091021]cialis online canada pharmacy[/url] canadian pharmacies generic ed medication
canada online drugs <a href="https://cutt.us/3Ixew">viagra before and after pictures</a> safe generic viagra [url=https://oeshshoes.com/forums/users/radishneedle65/]drapolene cream[/url] generic latisse for sale
how much is viagra <a href="https://driverpoisk.ru/user/menujar51">canadian pharmacy.reviews</a> viagra sales online [url=http://unchi.sakura.ne.jp/wiki/index.php?kornumdemant091021]cialis online canada pharmacy[/url] canadian pharmacies generic ed medication
canada online drugs <a href="https://cutt.us/3Ixew">viagra before and after pictures</a> safe generic viagra [url=https://oeshshoes.com/forums/users/radishneedle65/]drapolene cream[/url] generic latisse for sale
-
hchxwxwkb98 Web Site
- January 14, 2023
ygxvllrudtl best price for cialis <a href="http://daojianchina.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=628226">buy drugs</a> canada pharmacy viagra [url=https://botdb.win/wiki/Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know]best canadian online pharmacy reviews[/url] viagra online pharmacy
best price on cialis prescription <a href="https://scientific-programs.science/wiki/Exactly_How_to_Buy_Prescription_Drugs_From_a_Canadian_Pharmacy">buy cialis online in canada</a> ed pills online [url=https://opensourcebridge.science/wiki/Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know]us pharmacy for cialis[/url] canadian pharmacy - cialis
cost of cialis at walmart <a href="https://www.ted.com/profiles/39025137">online pharmacies without prescription</a> cialis.canada [url=https://qnbuz.net:443/user/vanyard56]cialis from canadian[/url] buy cialis from us pharmacy
best price on cialis prescription <a href="https://scientific-programs.science/wiki/Exactly_How_to_Buy_Prescription_Drugs_From_a_Canadian_Pharmacy">buy cialis online in canada</a> ed pills online [url=https://opensourcebridge.science/wiki/Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know]us pharmacy for cialis[/url] canadian pharmacy - cialis
cost of cialis at walmart <a href="https://www.ted.com/profiles/39025137">online pharmacies without prescription</a> cialis.canada [url=https://qnbuz.net:443/user/vanyard56]cialis from canadian[/url] buy cialis from us pharmacy
-
mnqgluhykig Web Site
- January 14, 2023
ptx4ug5paxb canada drugs online <a href="https://studyroom.co.za/user/inputoboe80">order medication online</a> buy viagra without a prescription [url=https://cutt.us/xipBL]buy heroin online[/url] generic cialis in canada
canadian pharmacy online <a href="http://lipu0773.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=732259">viagra online shop</a> drug world canada [url=https://gufenghanfu.com/space-uid-529004.html]viagra buy[/url] buying cialis from canada
viagra dose <a href="https://theflatearth.win/wiki/Post:Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know">discount viagra online</a> price of cialis in canada [url=https://www.badattitudeblades.com/forums/users/harpbaby01/]metoprolol[/url] viagra overnight
canadian pharmacy online <a href="http://lipu0773.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=732259">viagra online shop</a> drug world canada [url=https://gufenghanfu.com/space-uid-529004.html]viagra buy[/url] buying cialis from canada
viagra dose <a href="https://theflatearth.win/wiki/Post:Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know">discount viagra online</a> price of cialis in canada [url=https://www.badattitudeblades.com/forums/users/harpbaby01/]metoprolol[/url] viagra overnight
-
zbitwsoe8qk Web Site
- January 14, 2023
gyzxi3gcyq3 canadian generic cialis <a href="https://qnbuz.net:443/user/genderbaby00">buy cheap viagra</a> canada online pharmacy viagra [url=https://phonographic.science/wiki/Exactly_How_to_Buy_Prescription_Drugs_From_a_Canadian_Pharmacy]cialis canada pharmacy[/url] canadian prescription drugstore
us pharmacy for cialis <a href="https://dohabb.com/index.php?page=user&action=pub_profile&id=1392139">canada walmart</a> viagra expiration date [url=https://lexsrv3.nlm.nih.gov/fdse/search/search.pl?match=0&realm=all&terms=http://www.canadotcphar.com/]viagra without a doctor prescription usa[/url] best price on cialis 5mg
getcanadiandrugs .com <a href="https://texasbbs.net/home.php?mod=space&uid=572254">canadian rx</a> buy levitra canada [url=https://public.sitejot.com/fishgarlic31.html]canadian-pharmacy-online[/url] soft viagra
us pharmacy for cialis <a href="https://dohabb.com/index.php?page=user&action=pub_profile&id=1392139">canada walmart</a> viagra expiration date [url=https://lexsrv3.nlm.nih.gov/fdse/search/search.pl?match=0&realm=all&terms=http://www.canadotcphar.com/]viagra without a doctor prescription usa[/url] best price on cialis 5mg
getcanadiandrugs .com <a href="https://texasbbs.net/home.php?mod=space&uid=572254">canadian rx</a> buy levitra canada [url=https://public.sitejot.com/fishgarlic31.html]canadian-pharmacy-online[/url] soft viagra
-
xipqpakwi8g Web Site
- January 14, 2023
tms4q5zwy22 buy viagra online without script <a href="http://www.bbs-csw.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=154105">cialis canada</a> cialis canada pharmacy online [url=https://motogpdb.racing/wiki/Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know]buy canadian drugs without prescription[/url] buy viagra australia
prescription codes <a href="https://cameradb.review/wiki/Just_How_to_Buy_Prescription_Drugs_From_a_Canadian_Pharmacy">canadian pharmacies generic drugs online</a> medication prices [url=https://scppfussball.de/forums/users/easecolon52/edit]buy viagra online canada pharmacy[/url] viagra online canadian pharmacy
generic cialis canada <a href="https://www.7khatcode.com/user/banjogarlic97">online rx</a> buy viagra online without script [url=https://urlscan.io/result/b4ce4f51-c8a7-425c-af10-328724162132/]cheap cialis in canada[/url] buy viagra online cheap
prescription codes <a href="https://cameradb.review/wiki/Just_How_to_Buy_Prescription_Drugs_From_a_Canadian_Pharmacy">canadian pharmacies generic drugs online</a> medication prices [url=https://scppfussball.de/forums/users/easecolon52/edit]buy viagra online canada pharmacy[/url] viagra online canadian pharmacy
generic cialis canada <a href="https://www.7khatcode.com/user/banjogarlic97">online rx</a> buy viagra online without script [url=https://urlscan.io/result/b4ce4f51-c8a7-425c-af10-328724162132/]cheap cialis in canada[/url] buy viagra online cheap
-
prr2qkeo38o Web Site
- January 14, 2023
gxliwnbq7gk viagra online cheap <a href="https://rosalind.info/users/seatgarden27">ordering medications from canada</a> viagra substitute [url=https://www.vid419.com/space-uid-508360.html]buy viagra now[/url] canadian pharmacy without prescription
canadian online drugstore <a href="https://fsquan8.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=400959">cialis online from canada</a> viagra wikipedia [url=https://classificadosmaster.com/author/genderhair18/]generic viagra sale[/url] viagra online generic
canadian meds viagra <a href="http://meetqun.net/space-uid-334652.html">canadian online pharmacy viagra</a> real viagra [url=https://www.cheaperseeker.com/u/seatcap97]purchase cialis in canada[/url] cialis.com coupon
canadian online drugstore <a href="https://fsquan8.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=400959">cialis online from canada</a> viagra wikipedia [url=https://classificadosmaster.com/author/genderhair18/]generic viagra sale[/url] viagra online generic
canadian meds viagra <a href="http://meetqun.net/space-uid-334652.html">canadian online pharmacy viagra</a> real viagra [url=https://www.cheaperseeker.com/u/seatcap97]purchase cialis in canada[/url] cialis.com coupon
-
pto8eoktv14 Web Site
- January 14, 2023
rm2ptoolj9y drugs-med.com <a href="https://www.biaoqianyinshuawang.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=265459">internet pharmacy</a> canadian pharmacy without a prescription [url=https://moparwiki.win/wiki/Post:How_to_Buy_Prescription_Drugs_From_a_Canadian_Pharmacy]cost of viagra[/url] what happens if a girl takes viagra
over the counter viagra <a href="https://byfc0396.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=740664">ed meds online</a> how to get viagra without a prescription [url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/u/bargeavenue02]cilas[/url] buy viagra now
free samples of viagra <a href="https://www.zotero.org/northwallet64/cv">online pharmacy canada</a> viagra and women [url=https://solidwastecourse.org/members/savewallet84/activity/100042/]viagra free[/url] drugstore in canada
over the counter viagra <a href="https://byfc0396.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=740664">ed meds online</a> how to get viagra without a prescription [url=https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/u/bargeavenue02]cilas[/url] buy viagra now
free samples of viagra <a href="https://www.zotero.org/northwallet64/cv">online pharmacy canada</a> viagra and women [url=https://solidwastecourse.org/members/savewallet84/activity/100042/]viagra free[/url] drugstore in canada
-
un0eb29iqnw Web Site
- January 14, 2023
fftpk33shpp canadian pharmacies without a prescription <a href="https://pediascape.science/wiki/Five_Facts_About_Pharmacy_You_Need_to_Know">canadian drug stores</a> buy real viagra [url=http://lz13w.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=222228]cialis-canadian pharmacy[/url] viagra pills for sale
natural viagra <a href="https://suma-suma.com/find-members/seatjar56/activity/14521/">viagra mail order</a> canadian pharmacy with viagra [url=https://mooc.elte.hu/eportfolios/1382321/Home/Exactly_How_to_Buy_Prescription_Drugs_From_a_Canadian_Pharmacy]buy cheap generic viagra[/url] viagra dosage
rite aid pharmacies <a href="https://www.zhen4k.com/space-uid-101730.html">viagra from canada pharmacy</a> discount canadian pharmacies [url=https://blogs.nmit.ac.nz/showcase/question/exactly-how-to-buy-prescription-drugs-from-a-canadian-pharmacy/]drug store online[/url] viagra buy now
natural viagra <a href="https://suma-suma.com/find-members/seatjar56/activity/14521/">viagra mail order</a> canadian pharmacy with viagra [url=https://mooc.elte.hu/eportfolios/1382321/Home/Exactly_How_to_Buy_Prescription_Drugs_From_a_Canadian_Pharmacy]buy cheap generic viagra[/url] viagra dosage
rite aid pharmacies <a href="https://www.zhen4k.com/space-uid-101730.html">viagra from canada pharmacy</a> discount canadian pharmacies [url=https://blogs.nmit.ac.nz/showcase/question/exactly-how-to-buy-prescription-drugs-from-a-canadian-pharmacy/]drug store online[/url] viagra buy now
-
bokwmw6ylqj Web Site
- January 14, 2023
purnrc8j7rv cialis canada pharmacy <a href="http://bbs.51pinzhi.cn/home.php?mod=space&uid=3990874">canadian pharmacy online viagra</a> viagra canada online [url=https://www.giantbomb.com/profile/sphereanimal2/about-me/]free trial of viagra[/url] viagra canada online
cialis online canadian pharmacy <a href="https://zzb.bz/7iiln">drugs without prescription</a> canadian pharmacy without a prescription [url=https://fabnews.faith/wiki/Exactly_How_to_Buy_Prescription_Drugs_From_a_Canadian_Pharmacy]canada drug companies[/url] viagra alternative
viagra samples free <a href="http://mc-dqm4.xii.jp/index.php?saveeye91">ed meds online</a> viagra substitute [url=https://classificadosmaster.com/author/northrake62/]viagra online pharmacy[/url] viagra patent
cialis online canadian pharmacy <a href="https://zzb.bz/7iiln">drugs without prescription</a> canadian pharmacy without a prescription [url=https://fabnews.faith/wiki/Exactly_How_to_Buy_Prescription_Drugs_From_a_Canadian_Pharmacy]canada drug companies[/url] viagra alternative
viagra samples free <a href="http://mc-dqm4.xii.jp/index.php?saveeye91">ed meds online</a> viagra substitute [url=https://classificadosmaster.com/author/northrake62/]viagra online pharmacy[/url] viagra patent
-
wb4ss0wjtm6 Web Site
- January 14, 2023
ji07xwyacwx cialis from canadian <a href="https://app.glosbe.com/profile/6986068369329884393">cheap cialis in canada</a> getcanadiandrugs.com [url=https://atavi.com/share/vowyg0z1cn84p]taking viagra[/url] viagra without a doctor prescription in canada
canadian pharmacy reviews <a href="https://vanwar97.wordpress.com/2022/10/12/just-how-to-buy-prescription-drugs-from-a-canadian-pharmacy/">drugs from canada</a> ed drugs [url=http://mc-dqm4.xii.jp/index.php?barberanimal72]pharmacy rx one 60 mg cialis[/url] buy viagra without prescription canada
generic cialis from canada <a href="https://98e.fun/space-uid-3659559.html">order viagra</a> generic cialis canada pharmacy [url=https://pastelink.net/qb8bg480]canada walmart[/url] walmart rx prices
canadian pharmacy reviews <a href="https://vanwar97.wordpress.com/2022/10/12/just-how-to-buy-prescription-drugs-from-a-canadian-pharmacy/">drugs from canada</a> ed drugs [url=http://mc-dqm4.xii.jp/index.php?barberanimal72]pharmacy rx one 60 mg cialis[/url] buy viagra without prescription canada
generic cialis from canada <a href="https://98e.fun/space-uid-3659559.html">order viagra</a> generic cialis canada pharmacy [url=https://pastelink.net/qb8bg480]canada walmart[/url] walmart rx prices
-
mrffzoagkhd Web Site
- January 14, 2023
canada drug pharmacy <a href="https://www.cheaperseeker.com/u/versegarlic66">canadameds.com</a> cialis from canada [url=https://www.folkd.com/submit/http://www.canadotcphar.com//]viagra generic canada[/url] alternative to viagra
liquid viagra <a href="https://writeablog.net/seathair26/five-facts-about-pharmacy-you-need-to-know">over the counter viagra alternative</a> lowest cost cialis [url=http://idea.informer.com/users/northgarlic7/?what=personal]canadian-pharcharmy-[/url] viagra brand sale
zqvqhjwfnxo Web Site- January 14, 2023