What is Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)?

The "Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)" is jointly organised by the Japan Foundation and the Japan International Education Support Association. It is currently administered in approximately 62 countries and regions around the world each year and is the largest-scale Japanese language test globally. It is used to assess the Japanese language proficiency of non-native speakers.

In the UK the test is administered by the SOAS Japan Research Centre (and separately at Cardiff University), University of Edinburgh and University of Leicester on behalf of the Japan Foundation.

The exam is held twice a year (July and December), and test-takers can choose the level that suits their proficiency, with the option to take exams at various levels multiple times.

Purposes of the "Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)"

The certification from this exam is widely used by Japanese language learners other than Japanese nationals. It has various applications, such as earning school credits, obtaining graduation qualifications, receiving better treatment in the workplace, and gaining recognition in society.

It can also earn you preferential points for entry and exit management in Japan and is one of the conditions for taking national exams in Japan, such as the medical practitioner exam and the certified care worker exam.

For those planning to study in Japan, some exam subjects can be exempted in the Japanese junior high school graduation level academic ability certification exam. It is also one of the conditions for selecting Indonesian, Filipino, and Vietnamese candidates for nurses and caregivers under the EPA terms. For more information on the advantages of the JLPT in Japan, please refer to the official website: https://www.jlpt.jp/e/about/merit.html.

Levels of the "Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)"

This exam was changed to include five levels (N5, N4, N3, N2, N1) in 2010. N5 is the easiest, and N1 is the most difficult.

N4 and N5 primarily assess the understanding of basic Japanese learned in the classroom, while N1 and N2 assess the understanding of Japanese in various real-life situations. Additionally, N3 serves as a transitional level between N4 and N2. For detailed information about the different levels, please refer to the official website: https://www.jlpt.jp/e/about/levelsummary.html.

"JLPT" and "CEFR"

Some language learners may compare the five levels of this exam with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

CEFR is a framework used to evaluate and compare language ability and fluency across different languages. It measures language ability in six levels (C2, C1, B2, B1, A2, A1) from fluent to beginner. Those who achieve a C2 level are considered as fluent as native language speakers or at a business level. For more detailed explanations of the CEFR levels, please refer to: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/table-1-cefr-3.3-common-reference-levels-global-scale.

In 2010, the Japan Foundation introduced the JF Standard (JFスタンダード) based on CEFR as a reference standard for Japanese language learners. It provides a series of Japanese language learning materials based on the can-do statements for each CEFR level. For more information on JF Standard, please refer to the website: https://www.jfstandard.jpf.go.jp/summaryen/ja/render.do.

Here is a correspondence table between JLPT and CEFR levels:

Starting from 2025, according to the information on the Japanese version of the JLPT website, the exam certification will include CEFR levels in addition to JLPT levels, allowing people worldwide to better understand the Japanese language proficiency represented by JLPT levels.

Reasons for Learning Japanese? Motivation for Taking the "Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)"

The main purpose of the JLPT is to confirm the Japanese language proficiency of Japanese language learners and serve as a reference standard for organisations in Japan to understand the Japanese language abilities of foreigners. Unfortunately, this exam only includes grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and listening, and it does not assess writing and speaking abilities. The rumor is that the organising institution intends to add a speaking section in the future, but it has not been officially announced.

This exam is very helpful for those planning to study or work in Japan. For students learning Japanese for the sake of interest, it can serve as a goal to motivate their learning efforts. However, it's important to remember your initial motivation for learning and not to rush your learning just for the sake of the exam.

As mentioned above, the proficiency test does not include writing and speaking abilities, so there are many students who have achieved certain levels but cannot effectively use Japanese in real-life situations. I often remind students not to study for the exam but to prioritise learning. Therefore, the teaching philosophy in this classroom is designed to enable students to truly use the Japanese language skills they have learned. It provides comprehensive training in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Every time I hear students share their conversations with Japanese people after going to Japan, it is more moving than their Japanese language learning journey itself, and I feel that everything is worthwhile.