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Language Proficiency Tests
(1) Outline

There is nothing that says that you must be fluent in English to be able to study at a university in an English speaking country. Universities in English speaking countries require non-native English speaking students to secure a certain TOEFL(R) (Test of English as a Foreign Language) test score as one of their admission requirements. The TOEFL(R) test was designed by the non-profit education organization ETS (Educational Testing Service). Students who wish to study abroad for a long period of time or participate in the study abroad programs (e.g., exchange programs) coordinated by their universities are required to take the TOEFL(R) test. It is strongly recommended that those students who plan to apply to institutions where the TOEFL(R) test score is one of the entry requirements take the test as soon as possible.

In principle, Waseda University requires you to have obtained an adequate score more than one year prior to the beginning of the program. You must make an application to the CIE in October 2011 for programs starting in September 2012. Therefore, you will not be eligible unless you have obtained the necessary score at the time of application in October 2011. It is recommended to take the test as soon as possible since the test dates between August and September tend to become fully booked.

The Internet version of the TOEFL(R) (TOEFL(R) iBT) has been implemented in Japan since July 2006, and is currently the only version of the TOEFL(R) test that is being administered to students.

The TOEFL(R) iBT has four sections: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Each section is graded with a score of 0-30, and the total score of the test is the total of the four section scores (0-120). The TOEFL(R) PBT test awards a score in the range 310-677.

The TOEFL(R) iBT is held 30 to 40 times a year on Saturdays and Sunday. Generally, the computer rooms of educational institutions (e.g., universities) are converted into TOEFL(R) test centers. Some organizations offer the TOEFL(R) ITP (Institutional Testing Program) test to facilitate private objectives. Please take note that the TOEFL(R) ITP test scores generally cannot be used for selection in Waseda University or any of the host universities abroad. However, there are some exceptions to this. Please check the latest program list for details.

The TOEFL(R) iBT test results are evaluated by using a standard deviation calculation that takes into account the scores of all the test takers; all scores are converted to scores of 0-120. In general, undergraduate schools in the U.S. require 61 points or higher on the iBT. The required score varies from one university to another in the range of 61 to 100 on the iBT. Although the standard deviation technique is often used for university ranking in Japan, the TOEFL(R) test score must not be used to evaluate the quality of universities. Each university sets a score as a determinant of the“English language proficiency necessary to enter the university and to attend regular courses at the university”. Some universities actively accept international students with lower TOEFL(R) test scores, provided that the students take supplementary English courses as well as attend regular classes. It takes more than 4 weeks for the official score reports to be ready, so be sure to plan your examination time well. The TOEFL(R) ITP test administered at Waseda University is easier to take than the official test. The CIE recommends that you take the ITP test before taking the official test. Please take note again that the TOEFL(R) ITP test scores generally cannot be used for selection either in Waseda University or in any of the host universities. However, there are some exceptions. Please check the latest program list.

 
For further information about the TOEFL(R) test:
Enquiries:

TOEFL Department, Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)
URL: http://www.cieej.or.jp/toefl
Prometric Inc.RRC Rersevation Center
Phone: 03-5541-4800 Hours open 9:00-18:00 (Closed Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)
URL: http://www.prometric-jp.com

Administrator:

Educational Testing Service
URL: http://www.ets.org/toefl

How to apply:

1. Website: http://www.ets.org/toefl
2. Phone: Prometric Inc. RRC Reservation Center
 03-5541-4800 9:00-18:00
 (Closed Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays)
3. Mail: Please fill out all necessary detail on the Registration Form that can be found on the Bulletin and send it 4 weeks before the examination with the examination money.
〒104-0033 Tokyoto Chuo-ku Shinagawa 1-21-1 Kayabacho Tower 15F
     Prometric Inc. TOEFL Section

How to apply for "Bulletin": Download from website http://www.cieej.or.jp/toefl/toefl/data.html
Fee: Regular registration US$200 (accepted no later than 7 days ahead of examination date)
Late registration US$235 (As of January 2011)

(2) TOEFL(R) iBT Guaranteed Reservation at Waseda University

There is an official test center for the TOEFL(R) iBT in Waseda University. TOEFL(R) iBT tests are administered on Waseda Campus, Bldg. 7, Rm. 314 (27 seats available), and Waseda University students are able to reserve seats at this venue before application is opened to the general public. To make reservations, students must check the guideline of application.

For details:
Waseda-net Portal (Japanese page only)→"国際交流・留学" (International Programs)→"−優先予約申し込み" under "TOEFL iBT試験"→read all details carefully before making your reservation.

TOEFL(R) iBT Schedule 2011 (As of March 2011)
The schedule below is subject to change. Make sure that you check the latest information.
[April] 23rd (Sat.)
[May] 14th (Sat.), 28th (Sat.), 29th (Sun.)
[June] 11th (Sat.), 19th (Sun.), 25th (Sat.)
[July] 9th (Sat.), 23rd (Sat.)
[September] 18th (Sun.), 25th (Sun.)
[October] 22nd (Sat.), 30th (Sun.)
[November] 12th (Sat.), 13th (Sun.), 20th (Sun.), 26th (Sat.)
[December] 10th (Sat.), 11th (Sun.), 18th (Sun.)
* Please note that this reservation system is only available to Waseda University students.

(3) TOEFL(R) ITP Test

Waseda University administers the TOEFL(R) ITP (Institutional Testing Program) test. The TOEFL(R) ITP test is a good way to determine your English proficiency if you are interested in studying in an English speaking country.You can study for the TOEFL(R) iBT test more efficiently after assessing your weaknesses through the TOEFL(R) ITP test. The CIE may accept this test score for some of its programs. Please see the latest program list to see which programs allow use of the TOEFL(R) ITP test score.

 
Administrator:

Center for International Education, Extension Center

Enquiries:

Co-op Travel Service Center
2nd Floor, Building 17, Waseda Campus Phone: 03-3202-3238

 

Merits of TOEFL(R) ITP
A reasonable test fee: 3,500 yen (including tax) while that of the official TOEFL(R) test is US$200 (Please note that this fee is subject to change. Please be sure to check the latest figures.)
Taking past tests (TOEFL(R) CBT/PBT) gives you an idea of what the official test would be like. When you take a test for the first time, it is natural that you would be unfamiliar with the test and the test conditions and get nervous, and it does not really matter whether or not the questions are difficult. Taking the TOEFL(R) ITP will help you gain a higher score in the official test.

TOEFL(R) ITP Schedule 2011 (As of January 2011)
The schedule below is subject to change. Make sure that you check the latest information.
Test date Registration period Announcement
of the results
1) Sun, May. 15, 2011 Thu, Mar. 24 - Thu, Apr. 21, 2011 Thu, Jun. 2
2) Sun, Jul. 17, 2011 Thu, May. 19 - Thu, Jun. 30, 2011 Thu, Aug. 4
3) Sun, Oct.2, 2011 Thu, Jun. 23 - Thu, Sep. 15, 2011 Thu, Oct. 20
4) Sun, Nov.13, 2011 Thu, Sep. 22 - Thu, Oct. 27, 2011 Thu, Dec. 1
5) Sun, Dec.18, 2011 Thu, Oct. 27 - Thu, Dec. 1, 2011 Thu, Jan. 19, 2012
 

Registration: Waseda University Co-op
Even after the registration period, the Travel Service Center accepts registration unless the test center is filled to capacity.

Test fee: 3,500 yen (including tax)

Students who wish to enter universities or colleges in UK, Australia and New Zealand may have their English proficiency evaluated through the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) instead of TOEFL test. With regard to visa acquisition, the IELTS may be required of applicants of certain nationalities. The test consists of four sections: reading (60 min), writing (60 min), listening (30 min), and speaking (11-14 min). These four elements are separately scored on each section using a band scale scoring system to arrive at the total score of for the four sections. A score between 5.5 and 7.0 is required for admission into universities and colleges of the three abovementioned countries. The fee is 24,675 yen (including tax).

The test score is usually announced within 13 business days from the test date, and then mailed to the address of the test taker. The score is valid for two years (as of January 2010).

 
For the latest information (test dates, test procedures, application form, etc.), please see the website below.
Enquiries:

IELTS Center, British Council
Phone: 03-3235-8031 URL: http://www.britishcouncil.org/japan.htm/


 
Chinese Chinese Proficiency Test (HSK)* HSK Japan
Tel: 06−6857−3397
http://www.hskj.jp/
Chinese Proficiency Test Association for Chinese Proficiency Test
Tel: 03−5211−5881
http://www.chuken.gr.jp/
Test of Communicative Chinese (TECC) Test of Communicative Chinese administrative office
Tel: 0800-888-2180
http://www.tecc-web.jp
Korean Korean Proficiency Test Korea Foundation for Education
Tel: 03−5419−9171
http://www.kref.or.jp
Korean Language Proficiency Test Association for Korean Proficiency Test
Tel: 03−5858−9101
http://www.hangul.or.jp/
German Goethe-Institut German Proficiency Tests*

Goethe-Institut Tokyo
Tel: 03−3584−3201
http://www.goethe.de/INS/jp/tok/jaindex.htm

German Diploma in Japan

Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Germanistik in Japan
Tel: 03−3813−0596
http://www.dokken.or.jp

Russian Test of Russian as a Foreign Language (ТРКИ)* Japan Cultural Association
Tel: 03-3353-6980 
http://www.taibunkyo.com/kentei/kentei.htm
Russian Language Certificate

Tokyo Institute of Russian Language
Tel: 03−3425−4011
http://www.tokyorus.ac.jp/

French Test de Connaissance du Francais (TCF)* Centre franco-japonais - Alliance francais, d'Osaka
Tel: 06-6538-7391
http://www.calosa.com/tcf_jp.htm
Diplome Approfondi de Langue Francaise (DALF)* Centre franco-japonais - Alliance francais, d'Osaka
Tel: 06-6538-7391
http://www.calosa.com/certif_jp.htm
Diplome d'Aptitude Pratique au Francais Association pour la Promotion de l'Enseignement du Francais au Japon
Tel: 03−3261-9969
http://apefdapf.org/
Spanish Diplomas de Espanol como Lengua Extranjera (DELE) Instituto Cervantes
Tel: 03-5210-1800
http://tokio.cervantes.es/jp/default.shtm
Evaluacion Oficial del Conocimiento de La Lengua Espanola Sociedad Hispanica del Japon
Tel: 03-3353-0428
http://www.casa-esp.com
Italian Certificazione di Italiano come Lingua Straniera (CILS)* Istituti Italiani di Cultura
Tel: 03-3264-6011
http://www.iictokyo.esteri.it/IIC_Tokyo
Italiano: Prova di Abilita Linguistica Associazione Linguistica Italiana
Tel: 03-5428-5630
http://www.iken.gr.jp/
Portugues Avaliacao de Portugues Lingua Estrangeira (APLE)
Centro de Exames de PLE
Email: caple_info@kufs.ac.jp
http://www.kufs.ac.jp/Brazil/

The above examinations aim to evaluate your language proficiency. If you wish to participate in an exchange program, it is recommended that you take a relevant test well ahead of your application. If the above list has more than one proficiency test for one language, it is recommended that you take the test marked with an asterisk (*).
 
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