Firstly, the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, also known as JPLT is a standardized criterion test that is used to evaluate and certify the language proficiency (Japanese) for non-native speakers that are covering the readability, listening ability and general knowledge of the language. The test is held twice a year in Japan and selected countries (on the first Sunday of July and December), and once a year in other regions (on the first Sunday of December).
History of JLPT
The JPLT started in the year 1984 and has been going on ever since. The JLPT comprises of five levels and until the year 2009, the test had four levels, of which 4 of them being the lowest and 1 being the highest level of certification in the languages. The certification awarded by JPLT does not expire or become invalid over time neither does it require any form of renewal.
The Japanese Language Proficiency Test is quite useful and we would be discussing just how much for you to understand in this post. Taking the Japanese Language Proficiency Test is extremely useful for you as the test makes you undergo a series of learning routes and it is also a beneficial way for you as a person to become certified and credentialed in your Japanese abilities. Passing this exam indicates some higher level of understanding of the language. This can be useful in cooperate and academic endeavors. This language proficiency test measures upper-intermediate levels of language proficiency by testing your reading as well as how well your listening abilities have developed.
Passing the exam is important as a result of the importance in the certification recjeved thereafter but professionals say piling pressure on examinees might be looking to do more harm than good at this point. With this in mind, recruitment specialists and Japanese language teachers were interviewed by The Japan Times stress the importance of passing the N1 or N2 level of the exam is of the utmost importance for foreign nationals that are hoping to land a well to do job in the country. Also, in Abenomics Japan, a fluency certificate can make your career in totality.
This test is a biannual exam that is organized by the Japanese Foundation and the Japan Educational Exchanges and Services that usually takes place across the country and more than 100 cities all over the world. As earlier said, the tests are halved into five levels which are N1 – N5. “The JLPT is definitely a yardstick for many companies seeking to hire foreign nationals in Japan,” says Yuji Shinohara, president of Daijob.com, Which happens to be one of Japan’s multilingual search engines that has over four hundred and twenty thousand (420,000) registered users. He goes ahead to confirm that up to 58% of job offers on his website have a strict fluency in Japanese requirement which had to be met before anything else. Ontop of this, he further confirms that 39% of these employers also require their employees to speak business-level” Japanese
He further clarifies that the N1 level of the JLPT test is fluency while the N2 is business level understanding of the language which meets some of the requirements that are needed for a influx of foreign nationals that are coming to work. This cognition level test proves to be important extremely important to individuals that are looking to secure a job in the country as well as being able to relate. The President of this multilingual search engine goes on to further add saying “It may not be a requisite, but having an N1 or N2 certification will go a long way for anyone seeking a job here. “
Seeking a job as a student would also require a JPLT degree, a certification as it is stands to convince your employer of your fluency in the language, completely. The proficiency test is highly recommended to every foreign national in order to be secure jobs, valuable positions of work. Having at least an N2 is the minimum requirement, says a head teacher at the Japanese Language School. These several tiers however aren’t specified by the Japanese Language Proficiency Test on their specific tiers of usefulness but it is advisable for you to attain conversational and fluent Japanese to be able to attain jobs and gain relevant positions. What is however certain is that you require a certain amount of knowledge via this test to make a living for yourself.
Experts believe that even for those on a short stay in the country, attaining the N5 certificate can look good as it demonstrates an active attempt at integrating yourself with the community and the society as a whole. This can be a major plus to an employer’s decision making process. Certification in Japanese proves you can understand the basic language and read simple sentences in hiragana, katakana and basic kanji.
Passing the N1 test as the Japanese Language Proficiency Test website says means that you can understand editorial, can read newspapers and comprehend the basic coherent conversations made in Japanese.
Daijob’s Shinohara, however, assures test-takers that there is a substantial reason to take the test as it holds great importance at whatever tier or level you attain, be it N1 or N2 certifications. “Due to the effect of so-called Abenomics, Japanese companies are globalizing their business and expanding to overseas markets,” he says. “Because of such factors, I feel that there is a growing demand among Japanese companies to hire foreign nationals with JLPT certifications.”
The JPLT is a standardized tool so to speak for integrating foreign nationals into the economy and the growing demand for Japanese companies to globalize has left them with the constant need for more manpower and this involves both foreign and local able bodied personel. This test helps integrate intellectuals and capable minds into the economy by simply educating them on how to communicate better.
I advise you to take the Japanese Language Proficiency Test today as there are a lot of added benefits to the language as well as being able to communicate with it in utmost fluency. It creates a lot of chances for you as it would any local by simply bringing you up to speed in terms of language barrier.
