Lost in Translation: Why Japan’s English Proficiency Struggles Despite Big Spending
Japan’s struggle with English proficiency has long been a concern for educators, policymakers, and businesses alike. Despite significant investments in English language education, the nation continues to lag behind its global peers in measurable proficiency levels. The recently published 2024 English Proficiency Index (EPI) by Education First (EF) underscores this issue, placing Japan at its lowest-ever global ranking: 92 out of 116 countries. This alarming trend raises questions about the efficacy of current approaches and what can be done to reverse it.
Japan’s Declining English Proficiency: A Sobering Reality
The 2024 EF EPI, which assessed 2.1 million non-native English speakers worldwide, categorized Japan within the “Low Proficiency” band, with an average score of 454 out of 800 points. This marks a continued decline from last year’s rank of 87 and reflects Japan’s struggle to keep pace with other nations.
Notably, younger test-takers in Japan (aged 18-25) scored significantly lower than older age groups, suggesting that the country’s education system may not adequately prepare its youth for English language proficiency. Meanwhile, regional comparisons paint a stark picture. Among East and Southeast Asian countries, Japan outperformed only Myanmar (93), Thailand (106), and Cambodia (111), while neighboring South Korea and China ranked 50 and 91, respectively.
In contrast, Singapore, the top Asian performer, ranked 3rd globally in the “Very High Proficiency” band, demonstrating how effective policies can lead to significant results. Even countries like the Philippines (22) and Malaysia (26), which share colonial histories that emphasized English, achieved “High Proficiency” levels.
Understanding Japan’s Challenges
A representative from EF Japan contextualized these results, stating that it is "not that Japan’s English ability is declining, but rather that Japan is not keeping pace with the progress made in other countries.” This perspective highlights a fundamental issue: Japan’s methods of teaching and learning English may not align with global trends or the practical needs of its learners.
Why Does Japan Struggle Despite Its Investment?
Japan invests heavily in English education, but its outcomes fall short. The disconnect between investment and results stems from several systemic and cultural factors.
1. Focus on Grammar Over Communication
Japanese students often excel in the grammar-based components of standardized tests like the TOEIC and TOEFL but struggle with oral communication. This is largely due to an education system prioritizing rote memorization and test preparation over practical language use. English lessons in Japanese schools emphasize reading and writing, with far less attention given to speaking and listening.
This imbalance becomes evident when Japanese learners, despite years of study, cannot engage in basic conversational English. In contrast, countries like the Netherlands or Singapore emphasize immersive and communicative methods, allowing learners to practice real-world language skills.
2. Insufficient Teacher Training
Many Japanese English Teachers lack the proficiency or confidence to use English effectively in the classroom. Unlike countries with stringent teacher certification requirements, Japan’s teachers face overwhelming administrative responsibilities that leave little time for their professional development.
This lack of support for educators creates a cyclical problem: students are taught English in Japanese, limiting their exposure to the language and its natural rhythms.
3. Low Perceived Need for English
Japan’s strong domestic economy and cultural self-sufficiency reduce the perceived necessity of English proficiency for daily life or career advancement. Few Japanese workers encounter scenarios where English is indispensable outside of international business sectors or tourism.
The COVID-19 pandemic further diminished motivation, with international travel restrictions and remote work making English less relevant for many.
4. Cultural Attitudes Toward Mistakes
Japan’s education culture often discourages mistakes and can inhibit language learning. Students' fear of making errors in front of peers discourages them from practicing spoken English. This contrasts sharply with environments like Scandinavia, where making mistakes is seen as a natural and essential part of learning.
Potential Solutions: Learning from High-Performing Countries
Improving English proficiency in Japan will require systemic changes that address these deep-rooted challenges. Drawing inspiration from countries with high EPI rankings, several strategies could be employed:
1. Incorporate Immersive Learning
Countries with high English proficiency often emphasize immersive learning. For example:
2. Redefine Teacher Training
Investing in teacher training is critical. Ensuring that English teachers achieve high language proficiency and are equipped with modern teaching techniques can lead to more effective instruction. Collaboration with native English-speaking educators could also bridge gaps in communication-focused skills.
3. Make English Relevant to Daily Life
Motivating learners requires demonstrating the practical value of English. Initiatives like virtual language tutors, online language games, or English-speaking community events could make learning engaging and relatable.
For instance, using popular figures like virtual YouTuber Ellen-sensei could appeal to younger audiences, while “English-only” bars or social meetups might attract adults looking for informal practice opportunities.
4. Shift Focus from Exams to Communication
Balancing exam preparation with conversational practice is essential. Adopting communicative language teaching (CLT) methods, which emphasize speaking and listening, could help students gain confidence in using English for practical purposes.
5. Foster Cultural Openness
Promoting an environment where making mistakes is acceptable and even encouraged could transform classroom dynamics. This would allow students to practice without fear of embarrassment, a crucial step in building fluency.
Broader Implications for Japan
Improving English proficiency is not merely about global rankings; it has significant implications for Japan’s future. As globalization accelerates, English is increasingly important for participating in international business, research, and diplomacy. Lagging behind in English proficiency risks isolating Japan from global opportunities.
Furthermore, the growing popularity of remote work and international collaboration makes English an invaluable skill for younger generations. Without addressing its proficiency gap, Japan may find it challenging to compete in an interconnected world.
A Call to Action
The 2024 EF EPI results are a wake-up call for Japan to rethink its approach to English education. While the country has made commendable investments, more targeted and innovative strategies are needed to translate resources into results. By shifting focus from rote learning to practical communication and fostering an environment where English feels relevant and accessible, Japan can reverse its downward trend and unlock new opportunities for its people.
The challenge is significant, but so are the stakes. English proficiency is not just a benchmark of educational success but a gateway to global engagement and a key driver of future growth. For Japan, the time to act is now.
Sales & Business Development Leader | Expert in Expanding Global Markets | Driving Revenue Growth in EMEA & APAC | Fluent in English, French, Arabic, & Chinese | Proven Track Record in Complex Markets
1 天前Great article, James! You’ve absolutely nailed it with the need to shift from grammar-based learning to immersive communication. As someone currently learning Japanese, I can relate – the emphasis tends to be on grammar rather than real-world conversation skills. I also recall during my time in China that many people excelled at reading, but speaking remained a challenge. Your insights on this issue are spot on, and the suggested improvements are very much needed to drive change. Great work!
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2 天前A big step would be to stop making English compulsory at high school. Make it an elective subject. Focus resources & recruit better teachers. I have met quite a few Japanese public education system English teachers & none of them had functional communication level English. As for culture, there's the fear of making mistakes but also the fear of standing out. My non-Japanese friends & I sometimes use Japanese - for fun, for confidentiality in public, for practice. Speaking English to other Japanese people, in a group, can be very challenging for a lot of students. Sometimes I think these 2 cultural factors are the biggest barriers.
Postdoctoral Researcher | Social Entrepreneur
3 天前Japan has immense potential to lead the world in many areas. However, language remains a significant barrier to achieving true global leadership. While considerable financial resources are being allocated toward English education, there seems to be limited emphasis on its practical application in everyday and professional life. Interestingly, while foreigners are often encouraged to learn and practice Japanese, the reverse approach—fostering a workplace culture where English is widely used—could open up greater opportunities for global collaboration and leadership. Encouraging a genuine love for learning Japanese, rather than imposing it, would likely yield better cultural and professional integration for non-Japanese residents. Unfortunately, Japan’s current policies on localization may hinder its global influence. Without strategic adjustments, there is a risk that the economy could face further challenges in adapting to an increasingly interconnected world.
Environmental Officer @ Seabourn Cruise Line | Environmental Compliance
3 天前Stop using Eiken and other tests designed to be more “accessible” for Japanese learners of English. Stop babying Japanese people by removing culture, history and idiom for English language courses; you can’t take a degree in French or Russian or Japanese without covering culture, history and contemporary lifestyle. The myth of being able to learn “international communicative English” needs to die as it means Japanese learners will never achieve actual relationship building. Culture, history and modern entertainment are central to understanding and communicating - more of this, less linguistics theory about English taught in Japanese.
CTO Razortooth Communications, LLC, CEO at IoTone, Inc.
3 天前My take: english became yet another way to separate top talent / people on fast track in Japan from those who weren't going to get into top school. Instead of being a tool for International / domestic business, it became a badge of shame. By shame, literally, one's personal feeling proficiency is embarrassingly low that one doesn't want to speak. Couple this cultural anomaly with a focus on grammar, people rarely get a chance to hear correct british or american english. Worse, many have resorted to using cheap online teaching via skype, using teachers in the Philippines. Japanese people won't be able to train their ears and mouth for American/British english this way. (props to PI btw) Speaking to young people around Japan, I found they often speak better than their parents generation, however, they mostly have only felt the need for english in order to get a highly sought after "international" position in a trading company. They otherwise have felt it wasn't useful or hated learning it (see my point about the shame feeling). And this, is my least favorite phrase I will hear when popping into a local restaurant somewhere where, I guess, I don't belong: " english ?? ". Just let me eat and I will order in Japanese.