Assessment of English Language Education in the Workplace in Japan

The TOEIC Program & Globalization in Japan

(Case Reference : Japan)

Apr. 2013 English Language Education in the Workplace

The Institute for International Business Communication Toru Tsuda

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We have established our diplomatic ties for 40 years in 2012

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Above is quoted from Embassy of Japan in Mongolia

We Japanese praise and respect the Mongolian heroes!

Japanese grand champions have been absent for 10 consecutive years.

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1. Overview 2. Corporations
3. Conclusion

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1. Overview

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About us:
The mission of IIBC is to promote smooth communication in the global community.
TOEIC PROGRAM Assessment of English proficiency Provision of Information Support for English education and training

Publication, Learning Tools Support for English learning

R D Provision of useful information on English education Global Human Resources Development Support for the development of globally competent people
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Founder Mr. Yasuo Kitaoka

About us:
-The founder of IIBC asked ETS to create TOEIC. -The first administration of TOEIC was in Japan, 1979. -Over 30 years experience to promote the globalization of people and corporation through the TOEIC program. -The total volume of the TOEIC program(LR, Bridge and S&W) in FY2012: Approximately 2.5 mil.
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Tokyo Head Office Nagoya Osaka Office Office

Growth of TOEIC LR volume in Japan

FY2011 : Total 2,270,000 Secure Program 1,108,000
No. of Examinees
2,500,000

Institutional Program 1,162,000

IP
2,000,000

SP

1,500,000

1,000,000

500,000

79

81

83

85

87

89

93

95

98

00

02

04

06

08

10 11

Year
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Source: TOEIC Test DATA&ANALYSIS 2011

No.of Test-takers
3,000,000

Real GDP and Growth of TOEIC tests volume Real GDP \trillion in Japan 1994-2011
540.0 520.0

2,500,000

500.0 2,000,000 SW SP 480.0 1,500,000 460.0 1,000,000 440.0 SW IP Bridge Bridge SP IP

TOEIC SP TOEIC IP Real GDP

500,000

420.0

0 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011

400.0

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Real GDP of Japan Source: Cabinet office, Government of Japan

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No. of TOEIC IP Users and No. of Corporate Overseas Operations

No. of Institutions
3,500

No. of Corporate Overseas Operations

20,000 18,000

3,000 16,000 2,500 14,000 12,000 10,000 1,500 8,000 6,000 4,000 500 2,000 0 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 0

2,000

1,000

Source METI Basic Survey of Overseas Business

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Mapping of TOEIC Program in Japan

Segment

Junior H.S.

Senior H.S.
Cram School Requirement for Entrance exam

University/College/ Vocational School

Corporation Government
Graduate School
English Teacher

Technical College

English-language Training/Self-Development/English-language Certification Class Placement Requirement for Credit Level Check for PNC/NC Promotion Overseas Assignment

Usage

Curriculum Assessment Benchmarking Jobs Job Search Admission for grad school

Tests

TOEIC Bridge Test

TOEIC Test
TOEIC Speaking & Writing Tests
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2. Corporations

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TOEIC as the workplace English test

In FY2011, more than 2,000 corporations used TOEIC IP in Japan, and 84% of NIKKEI 225 corporations use TOEIC IP
What Companies are in the Nikkei 225? The Nikkei 225 is the most popular benchmark for the Japanese and Asian stock markets. The index consists of the 225 largest companies on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE) by market capitalization and liquidity. The Nikkei 225 consists of globallyrecognized companies like: Sony Corp. Toyota Motor Corp. Honda Motors Ltd. Kyocera Corp. Toshiba Corp. etc
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NOT USE 16%

TOEIC USER 84%

of Examinee in the NIKKEI 225 companies(2011) TOEIC IP 370,000

Bridge IP

SW IP 2,100
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11,500

Corporate Use of TOEIC Test Scores

Selection of job applicants Requirement for promotion Selection of overseas assignment Selection of overseas study Certification within organization Evaluation of Englishlanguage proficiency Assessment of progress in English-language training Motivation of new employees Self-study
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Corporate Use of TOEIC Scores in Japan

0 10 20 30 40 50 60

(n=356)

70

Self-Study

64.3%

Progress in Training
HR Record Promotion Overseas Assignment Mandatory Transfer/Job rotation Other HR requirement Selection of Job Applicants
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50.3%

37.1%

24.4%

17.7%

16.3%

13.2%

12.1%

7.6%

Source: IIBC 2011 Survey on Corporations

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Selection of Job Applicants

Do you refer to TOEIC scores of job applicants?
No Answer

6.8 Will not to do 7.9

Want to do 7.6

Always do 28.4

Sometimes do 49.3

Avr 546.7
Source: IIBC 2011 Survey of Listed Companies n=278

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TOEIC LR Scores Used for Promotion/ Overseas Assignment

Promotion
Marubeni Corporation within 5 years of employment
MITSUI & CO., LTD. within 3 years of employment Mitsubishi Corporation for manager level Rakuten for senior management position

Overseas Assignment
McDonalds Company (JAPAN)
Sumitomo Corporation Sojitz Corporation Marubeni Corporation MITSUI & CO., LTD.

Sumitomo Corporation for manager

Mitsubishi Corporation

ITOCHU Corporation
ITOCHU Corporation within 4 years of employment Sharp for manager FAST RETAILING for HO management position Sojitz Corporation for senior staff SONY for assistant manager, for manager Shiseido Sharp Mizuho Securities

Bridgestone for senior development planning post

Sumitomo Forestry for assistant manager MAZDA Motor for manager level KURARAY for manager level Komatsu for manager Teijin for manager Canon Taisei Corporation

Mitsubishi Electric for division manager

Nissan Motor

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Source: business magazineWeekly DiamondJAN 8, 2011

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Gap between Expected TOEIC Scores and Actual Scores of Business people
Level TOEIC Score Expected TOEIC Score for Corporations Actual Score of Businesspeople Overseas experience: 6 months or more

A
860

B
730

International Sales
850 650 745 525

Engineering

738 Intl
725 515

703 Intl 577 Sales

New Comer
655

537 Sales 516 Engineering 494 NewComer

470

445

Using English on a daily basis

487 Engineering New Recruits

220
Source: TOEIC Test DAA, 2011

E
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CASE: Nissin Foods Holdings Co., Ltd. Pursuing Business Oversea as a Growth Strategy and Developing
a Globally Capable Workforce as a Pillar of This Strategy Global capability became more important as global demand for instant noodles rose We need a workforce with the resilience to undertake business challenges-Nissin implemented English training for new recruits to support their development Global Challenge Pass helped young employees quickly gain overseas experience Tomorrow it could be you message helped double number of TOEIC test takers
NFH manufactures and sells instant noodles, chilled and frozen foods, cereals, dairy products, beverages, and also operates restaurants.
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Source: TOEIC No.112

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CASE: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.

TOEIC S&W tests were used for Global Business Staff Training to develop personnel for oversea operations
Setting TOEIC score as a promotion criterion raises awareness of the benefits of improving English ability Employees involved in overseas operations selected for Global Business Staff Training TOEIC SW tests make examinees better aware of their abilities and prepare them for further study
Since its foundation in 1878, KHI grown steadily into a comprehensive engineering company by expanding its operations from shipbuilding to also including rolling stock, aircraft, motorcycles, industrial plants, and machinery.
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Source: TOEIC No.106

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5. Conclusion

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WHY So Popular in Japan?

Because TOEIC program - Are high quality tests (reliability, validity, fairness) that can be used for high stake purposes Address the needs of a broad range of population Report with numerical scores that indicate ability on a scale Are easy to administer Are recognized worldwide

De facto Standard of English Language Proficiency Test

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TOEIC and Globalization in Japan English for Globalization English language skills are an integral part of international competitiveness in business

TOEIC has contributed, and will continue to contribute to promote the globalization of corporations, universities and people in Japan.

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Thank you very much for your kind attention!

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