@article{oai:nuis.repo.nii.ac.jp:00003185,
 author = {SATO, Yasuko and Sato, Yasuko},
 journal = {新潟国際情報大学 国際学部 紀要, NUIS Journal of International Studies},
 month = {Apr},
 note = {In October 2019, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
(MEXT) announced postponing the scheduled introduction of private-sector English
proficiency tests as part of standardized university entrance examinations in the first quarter
of 2020 (Kyodo, 2019a). In the original plan, the new test is to replace the current National
Center Test for University Admission, jointly administered by the state-affiliated National
Center for University Entrance Examinations and universities. While the current standardized
entrance exam only evaluates takers’ English reading and listening skills, the private-sector
test could also evaluate writing and speaking skills in a more comprehensive manner (Kyodo,
2019b). Johnston (2019) pinpoints that criticism about the private-sector test in multiple
aspects, the test location, higher fees, and one operator of “Test of English for International
Communication (TOEIC)” has withdrawn from participation. Finally, the National Association
of Upper Secondary School Principals in September requested the cancellation, or at least a
revision of the planned introduction of the English proficiency tests in 2020 for the lack of
information that MEXT needs to, in fact, take corrective measures.
A researcher has been utilizing the EIKEN Tests (Test in Practical English Proficiency,
known as EIKEN below) on university first-year students as a kind of self-learning in the
compulsory course at Niigata University of International and Information Studies (known
as NUIS below) since 2014. Although the potential value and effectiveness of the test are
proved by quantitative findings and analysis of students’ results, it still carries meanings to
study further about the influences of EIKEN tests on EFL class in Japan. In this paper, the
researcher is going to look at some positive reviews from test takers at NUIS, which has been
awarded the MEXT Minister Prize for two continuous years the largest number of EIKEN
tests’ passers. Also, the researcher is going to see the validation of EIKEN Tests among EFL
learners in Japan territory educational institutes.},
 pages = {27--37},
 title = {Validation of the EIKEN Tests in Japanese University’s English Foundation Course — A Case Study on Teaching EFL Students at NUIS},
 volume = {5},
 year = {2020},
 yomi = {サトウ, ヤスコ}
}