Eiken... where to start!?

9 Answers

Best Answer

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  TonetoEdo

  on Jul 7

  @Saitama Here's the How To - https://www.city-cost.com/blogs/TonetoEdo/MAye9-living_howto_ibaraki_tochigi_saitama_chiba_tokyo_kanagawa_shizuoka

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  helloalissa

  on Jun 27

  The English level taught in schools is supposedly for junior high school students to ideally be able to pass Eiken at: year 1 = grade 5 (the easiest), year 2 = grade 4, year 3 = grade 3. Then in high school grades pre-2, 2, and pre-1. That being said, motivated kids who go to immersion preschools etc. have passed more like 2 Kyu in elementary school, even though the topics are more mature (environment etc.) I'd recommend looking at the old tests for grades 4-5 for your kids, then if they're too easy, move up. You can download the most recent three tests to practice with on the Eiken site here: https://www.eiken.or.jp/eiken/en/downloads/

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  TonetoEdo

  on Jun 28

  Eiken Foundation has a lot of resources that will help you and your children prepare for the test. With your kids, have a look at Eiken for Kids https://www.eiken.or.jp/eiken/eikenkids/ Like @Helloalissa says, have your children attempt the practice tests to see what levels are appropriate for them. If they aim for the Eiken 3 Kyu test, which is intended for junior high school, there are two phases - the written test and then interview either online or live. Here's a video Eiken 3 Kyu mock test. It's a good representation, as the interviewer may be a Japanese teacher. https://youtu.be/sq5QeiP7YiY

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  BigfamJapan

  on Jul 4

  @helloalissa thank you so much, this information is so helpful. I was a bit overwhelmed where to start, thank you so much for pointing me in the right direction.

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  BigfamJapan

  on Jul 4

  @TonetoEdo thank you so much for this information, it is invaluable. I was able to gage the kids level through those sites and we now have a way forward. I really appreciate the information and links.

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  TonetoEdo

  on Jul 5

  @Saitama Most welcome! Let us know how your children do on the tests and at which levels. Stay tuned...I hope we can help you and teachers with a good blog post on this topic soon!

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  JapanRamen

  on Jul 21

  Not really an answer to help, but food for thoughts. Could be worth checking to see and adjust their expectations towards the results before they take it. If they "want" to take it to "justify their identities as the hafu kids", setting their goal too high and not meeting it could impact their confidence. If they want to take it just to challenge themselves, then it is all cool. Just really hoping that this will be a positive experience regardless of the results.

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  ReishiiTravels

  on Sep 29

  The students that I taught in 5th year for eikawa often aimed for grade 4 or 5.

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  BigfamJapan

  on Aug 19

  @TonetoEdo totally forgot to update on this, but since I asked this question the older two have taken and passed level 4 (with flying colors) and level 3 (aced the listening / interview, but we need to work on their spelling!) and are doing pre-2 next month! Thanks again for all your help.

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