Thursday, August 29, 2013

Japanese Language Proficiency Test – JLPT 2013 Announced

The Bangalore Nihongo Kyooshi-kai (Japanese Language Teachers Association, Bangalore) or BNK, has announced the availability of application forms for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) 2013.

The JLPT is a test for non-native speakers of Japanese, which evaluates and certifies their Japanese language proficiency. The test is simultaneously conducted twice a year in Japan and various locations around the world.

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) has been offered by the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services (formerly Association of International Education, Japan) since 1984 as a reliable means of evaluating and certifying the Japanese proficiency of non-native speakers. Outside Japan, the Japan Foundation administers the test in cooperation with local institutions such as the BNK.

According to the Survey of Overseas Organizations involved in Japanese language education, conducted every three years by the Japan Foundation, the number of students studying Japanese outside of Japan grew from 127000 in 1979 to 3.65 million in 2009.

Along with the increase in students, the number of JLPT examinees has also increased. At the beginning, there were approximately 7,000 examinees worldwide.  Since then, the JLPT has become the largest Japanese-language test in the world, with approximately 610,000 examinees in 62 countries and areas worldwide in 2011. This success is entirely due to the support and cooperation of all involved. In India alone, about 6000 students take the exam annually. In December 2012 Bangalore saw around a thousand students from across South India attempt the JLPT, of which 700 were from Bangalore.

The JLPT places importance not only on knowledge of Japanese-language vocabulary and grammar but also on the ability to use the knowledge in actual communication. Besides measuring ability in Japanese, the JLPT also helps in employment screening, evaluation for pay raises and promotions, and to recognize qualifications.

To ensure the continuing relevancy and accuracy of the JLPT, the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services introduced a revised version of the test in 2010. This new test takes full advantage of the most advanced research in Japanese pedagogy and testing theory, and reflects the vast wealth of data accumulated since the original JLPT was launched over 25 years ago.

The new JLPT has five levels: N1, N2, N3, N4 and N5. The easiest level is N5 and the most difficult level is N1. N4 and N5 measure the level of understanding of basic Japanese mainly learned in class. N1and N2 measure the level of understanding of Japanese used in a broad range of scenes in actual everyday life. N3 is a bridging level between N1/N2 and N4/N5.

Application forms for JLPT are currently being issued and are available at the Bangalore Nihongo Kyooshi-kai (BNK), 70/8, MEKHRI Building, 2nd Floor, Lalbagh Road, Bangalore-560 027. Last date for issue is 5th September 2013 and last date for submission of completed application forms is 12th September 2013. The JLPT exam will be conducted at Christ University on Sunday, December 1st 2013.

For further information on JLPT please visit www.jlpt.jp