What's on the test?

Photo, 周康

English teachers and international parents alike may be boggled by the amount of testing that goes on in Japan’s schools. Students break their brains preparing for midterm and final tests, mock tests, and achievement tests of all kinds. Many of these tests are assessments of English language proficiency and are likely on the radar of English teachers at public and private schools, cram schools, and eikaiwas.

For English educators, it’s a source of joy when a student comes bounding up to you with an English certificate in hand. It gives you and the student documentation that you’ve both done your job.

Non-Japanese English teachers at public and private schools and cram schools may be tasked with preparing students for the English proficiency assessments widely used in Japan. Here’s a roundup of who the tests are for and what they measure.

Eiken

The Eiken, a series of leveled tests for listening, reading, grammar, vocabulary, and writing is a way for students to confirm their achievement in their English learning. The test, which students are encouraged to apply for, has two stages, a paper test and an interview. These tests are available three times a year. You can read about How to get ready for Eiken tests with details about the test and tips for preparation.

GTEC

Some schools administer the Global Test of English Communication (GTEC) to all learners. GTEC is intended as a general measure of learners’ English ability. The test has four types - at the lowest level, Core is a measure of junior high school vocabulary and grammar, Basic is intended for senior high school first-year students, and Advanced is for senior high school students. The Computer Based Test (CBT) ranges from the lowest proficiency level to CEFR C1 level.

The test requires more than just grammar and vocabulary knowledge. Test items call on students to apply critical thinking and infer answers to questions.

TEAP

Test of English for Academic Purposes, TEAP, was formulated to provide a language assessment for Japanese students who aspire to universities with English-taught courses. There are other tests such as IELTS and TOEFL which serve the same purpose. However, Sophia University and the Eiken Foundation of Japan strove to craft TEAP with a lower vocabulary level and avoided cultural nuances and turns of phrase that may trip up Japanese students.

The test assesses four skills - listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The content of the listening and reading sections is based on the university environment - encounters with faculty and fellow students. The test developers refer to the curriculum standards set by MEXT, so it’s meant to assess the skills that students should have learned in school.