ACT and Benesse Collaborate on English-Language Tests

September 2, 1997

Iowa City, Iowa, USA—ACT Inc. and the Benesse Corporation of Japan have announced that they are collaborating on the development of new English proficiency tests for Japanese students preparing to enter their country's universities.

The new tests will measure listening and speaking skills in English in addition to the traditional focus on reading and writing. Tests for students in both junior high and high school students are being developed. Japanese students begin studying English in the seventh grade and must achieve certain levels of proficiency required by universities for admission.

"Traditionally, Japanese schools have focused on teaching students reading and writing skills in English," said Makoto Sato, Sector Director for Benesse. "But there is increasing recognition that our students need to be able to understand spoken English and to speak English well themselves if they are to succeed in business, government, science and many other fields or to study abroad.

"The Ministry of Education is changing its guidelines for English proficiency, and universities are altering their entrance requirements to reflect this recognition. We hope the new tests and the study materials Benesse and ACT are developing will help schools expand their English-teaching practices to reflect these emerging needs."

Benesse is one of Japan's leading providers of educational programs and services and the parent corporation of Berlitz International Inc., the world's largest language school. Benesse is best known in Japan for its correspondence course system. Over 5 million students currently subscribe to the courses, which are designed to enhance educational performance through at-home study for students in grades K-15.

Sato said that Benesse chose to work with ACT because, as one of the world's largest providers of educational assessments, ACT has the testing expertise and the international experience to help Japanese students improve their communication skills in English.

Formerly the Fukutake Publishing Co. Ltd., Benesse recently adopted its new name, which means "well-being," from the Latin words bene, "well," and esse, "being," to help people understand that the corporation's mission, which extends beyond publishing, is to support personal development at every stage of life.

"The Benesse philosophy fits hand-in-glove with our own," said Richard L. Ferguson, president of ACT. "Our goal is to provide individuals with 'Information for Life's Transitions,' much as Benesse's is to support personal development.

"Our partnership with Benesse is based on our mutual commitment to helping students prepare for their transitions from high school."

ACT is the developer of the ACT college-entrance program, in which some 1.7 million students participate annually; Work Keys, the nation's only comprehensive system for measuring and developing workplace skills; and DISCOVER, the leading computerized college search and career planning program. ACT also provides testing programs for students in the eighth and tenth grades and certification and licensing exams for professionals in many fields.

The new tests of English proficiency will be available for use in Japan in the fall of 1998.