English Proficiency Improving in Japan's Schools
Japanese students' English proficiency is getting better, according to the government.
The ministry of education said English test results among junior high and high school students have improved from last year.
This is based on the results of Eiken tests, one of the most popular English proficiency tests in Japan. Eiken levels go from grade 5 at the bottom to grade 1 at the top.
It was found that exactly 50% of third-year junior high school students can do English at Eiken grade 3 or above. This is an increase of 0.8% from the previous year.
These pupils are aged 14 or 15.
Students who get to Eiken grade 3 are able to communicate in English in everyday situations using easy language. It's just below A2 level in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, or CEFR.
Among third-year high school students, who are aged 17 or 18, 50.6% had Eiken test results at grade pre-2 or higher. Pre-2 learners can speak a little more, and understand more difficult sentences.
This was the first time for at least 50% of both junior high and high school students to get to these Eiken levels — and the government wants that up to 60% by 2027.
Teachers' English levels have also improved.
In Japanese junior high schools, about 45% of English teachers now have an English level of at least pre-1, letting them communicate in social, professional and educational situations.
Pre-1 is just below the top Eiken level.
Eight out of 10 high school English teachers have now gotten to pre-1 as well.
