Work In Japan
SSW PROGRAM
In April 2019, Japan established a new status of residence, "Specified Skilled Worker (SSW)", to welcome capable specialists from overseas countries to work in certain Japanese industrial fields, to function as workers ready to take on jobs without prior training.
Skilled workforce who want to play an active role in Japan by making use of the expertise and skills they have cultivated so far have good opportunities in Japan.
PFLC is encouraged by Japan Foundation to be instrumental in driving their Specified Skilled Workers program (SSW) and prepare & coach students for successfully clearing the Japan Foundation Test for Basic Japanese (JFT-Basic) essential for this program.
JFT-Basic seeks to measure the level of Japanese language proficiency needed to communicate in everyday life situations. It is used to assess whether they have the Japanese language proficiency to be able to engage in everyday conversation to a certain extent and handle daily life without difficulties.
This test is conducted through Computer-Based Testing (CBT). Questions are set and answered on computers at test centers in each country. In booths, test-takers answer on the computer screen based on questions displayed on the screen and audio played through the headphones.
This test is composed of four sections: Script and Vocabulary, Conversation and Expression, Listening Comprehension, and Reading Comprehension. The purposes of this test structure and questions are shown in Table 1.
For more details contact PLFC.
Table 1 Test Structure and Purposes
Section | Purposes of the section | Category | Purpose of category |
Script and Vocabulary( Around 12 questions) | To test if the test-taker is able to read Japanese texts used in everyday situations, and whether the test-taker has the basic vocabulary and is able to use it. | Word meaning | To test the meaning of a word. |
Word usage | To test the usage of a word. | ||
Kanji reading | To test the hiragana pronunciation of a word written in kanji. | ||
Kanji meaning and usage | To test the meaning and usage of a word written in kanji. | ||
Conversation and Expression( Around 12 questions) | To test if the test-taker is able to use the grammar and expressions necessary for conversation in everyday situations. | Grammar | To test if the test-taker can use the appropriate grammar matching the context. |
Expression | To test if the test-taker is able to use the appropriate expression matching the context. | ||
Listening Comprehension( Around 12 questions) | To test if the test-taker is able to listen to and understand conversations, instructions, etc. in everyday situations. | Comprehending content (conversation) | To test understanding of contents by listening to an exchange of information or social exchange. |
Comprehending content (communicating at shops and public places) | To test understanding of contents by listening to an exchange at a shop or public place. | ||
Comprehending content (listening to announcements and instructions) | To test understanding of contents by listening to instructions and announcements, audio media, etc. | ||
Reading Comprehension( Around 12 questions) | To test if the test-taker is able to read and understand letters, notices, explanations, etc. in everyday situations. | Comprehending content | To test reading of a short and simple letter, message, etc. |
Information search | To test if the test-taker is able to find the necessary information from an everyday billboard, notice, information material, etc. |