Information Session From the Japan Foundation for the New Japanese Language Proficiency Test

The Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) was first held in 1984 by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (JEES) in order to measure and certify Japanese language learners. Although only 7,000 people took the test in its first year, the number of examinees rose to about 770,000 by 2009. The JLPT is now the largest-scale Japanese language examination in the world.

In addition to measuring Japanese-language ability for academic purposes, test results are now also used by employers to assess job seekers’ credentials and evaluate employees for promotion and recognition. Students use the test to demonstrate their language ability when applying to educational institutions, study abroad programs, internships, etc. As the number of students of Japanese-language has increased, it has become apparent that the test must be revised to meet the diverse and changing needs of Japanese-language learners.

By evaluating past test outcomes and developments in Japanese pedagogy and test theory over the past 25 years, the Japan Foundation and JEES have revised the content of the JLPT and in 2010 the New Japanese Language Proficiency Test was created.

The Japan Foundation is planning to hold information sessions led by a researcher from the Japan Foundation’s Japanese Language Test Centre. These sessions will review the changes that will take effect this year, including explanations based on actual exercises used in the new JLPT. We look forward to your participation.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010 1:30PM – 4:00PM
York University
Admission: Free
Registration: http://www.jftor.org/whatson/rsvp.php* You can participate in the session at York University (1) on site or (2) view a broadcast of the session on the internet. Please check the following site: http://buna.arts.yorku.ca/jlpt/

Main Target: Japanese language learners and teachers
Language: mainly English
Organized by: The Japan Foundation, York University
Contact: 416-966-1600 ext. 224 or nsaito@jftor.org