Translated from 日本語 • View original Hello. This is the outfield of the human resources and education project.
Suddenly, do you use English in your company?
Introduction
Colorkrew is a global team that aims to be a successful global business, and about half of the most recent members are foreigners.
As a result, in the past few years, the number of situations and frequency of using English for meetings, presentations, and training in English has increased significantly.
Furthermore, in the process of work and internal communication, it is changing to a situation where English conversation is necessary on a daily basis.
It is exactly the state of "English is suddenly coming".
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Colorkrew has adopted TOEIC as an evaluation index for English proficiency, and has developed a system and training with a goal of 730 points, which is the starting point for English communication.
While the number of members reaching a TOEIC score of 730 is increasing, they have not yet reached the level of English proficiency utilization in business situations and daily English conversation.
The Colorkrer*1 learning method is also based on TOEIC, so some people are biased towards studying to reach the score.
Therefore, in order to respond to such a situation and accelerate the globalization of business, we have decided to introduce a new speaking index, CEFR*2, in addition to the existing TOEIC index.
*1 Colorkrer = a general term for members working at Colorkrew
*2 CEFR = "Common European Framework of Reference for Languages"
Why CEFR?
Speaking scores vary depending on the company or organization conducting the test.
However, every company or entity has a correlation value with CEFR.
CEFR is an international guideline for determining the level of mastery of foreign language learners.
We tried several speaking tests on Colorkrew, but we decided to introduce CEFR as an indicator that can measure mastery in common for all of them.
The Journey to CEFR Adoption
In addition to establishing the CEFR indicator, it was necessary to consider how to measure it (speaking test).
As mentioned above, before implementing CEFR, Colorkrew tried several speaking tests.
First, a few people took the exam. Exchange opinions after the exam. If there is a test that seems to fit Colorkerew, increase the number of candidates.
In the end, I chose the speaking test from the following points.
- Speak directly to people on the test
- Not judged by English pronunciation alone
In fact, in the business scene, we talk directly to people. In addition, the pronunciation of English spoken by people of various nationalities varies. As long as it is not a fatal pronunciation mistake, there is no problem.
First of all, the most important thing now is to be able to speak English in your own language and conduct global business.
Speaking metrics will be added to the evaluation indicator from October 2022. Over the course of three years, all Colorkrers will aim for B2.
What is CEFR B2?
Independent language users
Understand the main content of complex texts, whether abstract or concrete, including technical discussions in your area of expertise. They are fluent and natural enough to communicate normally with native speakers without being nervous about each other. You can create clear and detailed sentences on a wide range of topics.
(Source) British Council, University of Cambridge English Language Examination Organisation
The speaking test results created a mapping with TOEIC scores, capturing trends in Colorkrer's English proficiency.
- Some people have high TOEIC scores but low speaking scores
- In general, there seems to be a correlation with TOEIC
- People who don't usually use English appear to have lower speaking scores
- TOEIC score starts with a TOEIC score of about 700 points (CEFR B2) Members come out
- If the TOEIC score is less than 600, it is more likely to strengthen grammar and vocabulary than speaking.
When I thought about this trend and the Colorkrer persona that wanted to increase the number of people I could talk to this much, my goal of B2 became clear.
Expansion of Subsidies
With the introduction of speaking indicators, assistance and learning support have also been expanded.
Expansion of Subsidies
Examination fee subsidy
- Free TOEIC and speaking test once a year (all employees)New
- Free TOEIC and speaking test 4 times a year (Refugees*3)New
- Free of charge if you score more than 500, 600, or 700 points in your TOEIC for the first time.
+α Incentives
- TOEIC score of 900 or 730 points: 30,000 yen
- Speaking Test C1 Clear: 50,000 yen New
- Clear the Japanese Language Proficiency Test: 50,000 yen for clearing N1, 30,000 yen for clearing N2 New
*3 Refugees = a general term for people whose salaries do not increase due to English in Colorkrew
Expanding Learning Support
As I mentioned in my previous blog, Colorkrew has a very good learning support.
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What are the effective ways to motivate members to learn?
We also take various measures to support English learning.
Regular group English conversations, one-on-one lessons that can be started at any time, and courses where you can choose from several contents to learn how to suit you. etc. are always available.
In order to enjoy cross-cultural communication, I started talking with foreign members of the company with my English supporter Yoshi. At first, it was a small talk in English, but at the suggestion of foreign members who are learning Japanese, we also started a Japanese version of small talk.
This Small Talk is a place to have a simple debate, decide on a theme and give a presentation, and ask questions from Japanese members to foreign members (and vice versa) to understand each other's values and culture.
I have also given presentations in English about the dishes I have made.
More recently, we started English conversation lessons for management members by English supporter Yoshi.
Every week, I take listening and speaking lessons in groups of two people for two hours.
In this lesson, students learn how to paraphrase English in their own words, how to convey it easily, how to convey what they want to convey the most, and cross-cultural communication.
I feel that the English skills of the members who are taking the course are definitely improving.
We share this learning process of Colorkrer through actions and posts using the SNS-type goal management tool "Goalous".
Constantly evolving
This time, we introduced the introduction of a new speaking indicator.
The only way to deal with "sudden English" is to build up steadily.
In order for Colorkrer to steadily build up their English skills, we will continue to evolve our goals and continue to support and stimulate them.