A decision by three Japanese companies to band together to launch a new test in March to measure English listening and speaking skills in five business sectors comes as no surprise. For too long, schools in Japan have done a poor job of preparing English-language learners for the real world.
That's why Obunsha Co., Casio Computer Co., and Mainichi Newspapers Co. have taken matters into their own hands. Although Japanese students learn English for six years starting in junior high school, too many still can't speak the language. A closer look at instruction reveals the reasons.
Almost all lessons are designed to help students pass the written university entrance exams. These measure only writing and grammar, rather than conversation. There's nothing at all wrong with learning the former, but it's highly unlikely that they will transfer to the latter.