toeic newsletter...* the average total toeic test score is calculated by dividing the total score by...
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* Source: 2013 Survey of English Use at Japanese Companies and Other Organizations.
Average Score of 505 for New Recruits Sets a New Record1In FY2013, 756 organizations implemented the TOEIC test and the average score for newly hired employees was 505; both of these figures are record highs. Moreover, 170 companies required new employees to take the TOEIC test twice—first when provisionally hired and a second time when they started their job; this reflects a greater willingness to make new employees better aware of the need for English skills. The Survey on English Use at Listed Companies, which we conducted in January 2013, indicates that roughly 70 percent of companies take TOEIC scores into consideration during the hiring process, and that the average reference mark is 625. These results provide additional evidence that the corporate community takes an active interest in the level of English skills among jobseekers. 2013(FY)2009 2010 2011 2012
33,723
24,98329,19530,09827,396450
L=247R=203 170159 153
131
176
614
713740
499L=271R=228
478L=262R=215
484L=267R=217
505L=270R=235
756
604604
■ New Recruits: Average Score, Examinees, Companies Administering Tests(Average score, Number of examinees, Number of companies administering the tests)
Average score Number of companies administering the TOEIC
Number of TOEIC examinees
Number of companies giving the tests twice *
* This refers to firms that administered the test twice for new recruits in the same fiscal year (first when provisionally hired and a second time when they started their job).
* The average total TOEIC test score is calculated by dividing the total score by the number of TOEIC examinees.
The number of provisionally hired students taking the TOEIC test passed the 10,000 mark in FY2013, setting a new record at 10,268. The average score for the year was also a record high, rising to 558. These results show that students are better aware now, at the job-hunting phase, of the need for work-related and are making an enhanced effort to improve their English ability.
Provisional Recruits Also Set New Record Score of 558
■ Provisional Recruits: Average Score, Examinees, Companies Administering Tests
524L=284R=240
525L=286R=239317 305
7,7469,575
28910,268
2013(FY)2011 2012
558L=298R=260
(Average score, Number of examinees, Number of companies administering the tests)
1
TOEIC® NewsletterOctober 2013 No.118 —Digest Version—
OneofthemaincharacteristicsoftheTOEICtestistheunerringconsistencyofthescoringsystemusedtogaugeexaminees’communicativeabilities.Thisispreciselywhathasconvincedmanyorganizations,includingcompanies,tomaketheTOEICtestmandatoryforemployees,undertheInstitutionalProgram(IP).MorethanhalfoftheseorganizationsrequirenewlyhiredemployeestotaketheTOEICtest,whileapproximately20percentcallonprovisionallyhiredstudentstotakethetest.* Eachyear,theTOEICNewsletter publishesdataonnewlyrecruitedemployeeswhotakethetest.Inthisissue,wepresentdataoncompaniesthatadministeredtheTOEICtestforprovisionalhiresbetweenOctober1andDecember31,2012,andfornewlyhiredemployeesbetweenApril1andMay31,2013.Specifically,weexaminetest-takernumbers,averagescores,trendsbasedonexaminees’academicbackgrounds,andtheeffectofoverseasexperienceontestscores. ThedatainthisissuepertainsexclusivelytoTOEICIPexaminees.The“L”and“R”indicationsinthegraphsdenotetheaveragescoresonlisteningandreading,respectively.
TOEIC® Scores for New Recruits in FY2013
More Industries Boast 600+ Average Scores2A comparison of the TOEIC test results of new recruits and existing employees shows that the newcomers outscore their senior counterparts in many industries. In FY2013, the average score for new recruits was 600 or higher in the trading, mining, and mass media and also in the public organizations. Meanwhile, there has been an increase in recent years of industries with an
average score of 500 or higher. The average score had been below 500 in most industries as recently as 2009. Indeed, a comparison of this year’s scores with 2009 shows that seven industries—foods, glass/cement, machinery, other manufacturing, finance, transportation, and services—have increased both in terms of the number of examinees and the average scores.
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 7000 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
Mining
Construction
Foods
Textiles/Paper
Chemicals
Pharmaceuticals
Oil
Glass/Cement
Steel
Non-ferrous metals
Machinery
Electric machinery
Ship building
Vehicles
712
623
588
615
538
555
547
536
511
Precision machinery
Other manufacturing
Trading
Retail
Finance
Securities/Insurance
Real estate
Transportation
Electric power/Gas
Mass media
Services
Public organizations
Other
555
506
618
670
590
548
502
472472
502
478478
634
487
465
437
483
466
455
485
446
451
416
507
470
433
2932 463
561
528
559
538
536536
343
580580
540
530
540
561
530
528
559
538
2,38062,014
1356,212
6,016188,429
2,69233,557
3407,405
49611,602
183,296
621,801
36713,215
3,88894,273
1211,100
5334,441
5048,008
5506,405
1,64726,532
4581,758
91510,357
881,902
1,47810,351
5239,472
5785,583
1,16211,678
1,93218,272
22911,829
70511,330
95673
46719,727
78711,228
419
454454
425
448448
476476
509
563
557
563
520
557
489
486
489
486
487487
484484
511476
Aguriculture,Forest ry and Fisheries
Governmentorganizations
(Score) (Score)
Average Score for New Recruits: 505
(Persons)
(Persons)
New Recruits Existing Employees ■ Average Scores for New Recruits and Existing Employees
2
* Figures for existing employees were obtained by excluding new recruits and provisional recruits from Institutional Program examinees data for FY2012.
3
Average Score 567 for Liberal Arts Graduates and 472 for Science Graduates 3Since FY2011, there has been an upward trend in the number of liberal arts graduates taking the TOEIC test upon entering the workforce. In FY2013, the average score for this group of examinees was 567, more than 60 points higher than the 2009 average of 504.
Similarly, the number of science graduates taking the TOEIC test upon entering the workforce has also risen since 2011. The average score for this group was 472, some 100 points below their liberal arts counterparts but still roughly 50 points higher than the 2009 average.
Humanities (education, art, languages, literature, music, psychology), Sociology, Law (international studies, law, politics, sociology), Business administration (accounting, business, economics, finance, marketing, trade)
Sciences (agriculture, computer science, mathematics, physics, statistics), Health, Medicine (medicine, nursing, pharmacology, public health), Engineering, Architecture
Liberal Arts SciencesAcademicmajor
R266
L301
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013(FY)
11,14211,8198,874 9,862 10,382
532 541569 567
R245
L297
R242
L290
504
R230
L274
R263
L306
Average score Number of TOEIC examinees
Average score Number of TOEIC examinees
341424
473543
2,935 3,011 2,9772,977
7,310
R256
L287
R220
L253
R192
L232
R149
L192
First time Once before
Twice before
At least three times before
(Number of times the test was taken)
Average score Number of TOEIC examinees
First time Once before
Twice before
At least three times before
(Number of times the test was taken)
392
502582
6742,086
2,120
2,016
4,426
R319
L355
R277
L305
R235
L267
R176
L215
Liberal Arts and Science Graduates: More Tests Taken Lead to Higher Average ScoresAnother interesting comparison of data relating to newly hired arts and science graduates is the correlation between the number of times they took the TOEIC test and their average scores. For
both categories, the largest group consisted of those who took the test at least three times. The data shows that the more times a person took the test, the higher the average score.
* Data was obtained based on answers to the following survey question:
■ Examinee Numbers and Average Scores for Newly Hired Liberal Arts and Science Graduates According to the Number of Tests Taken
* Data is obtained through the “liberal arts or science” indication in the “Highest Level of Education” field of examinees’ application forms.
■ Examinee Numbers and Average Scores for Newly Hired Liberal Arts and Science Graduates
How many times have you taken the TOEIC test? (Circle one)
R218
L254
16,91120,650
15,227 16,59318,475
425451 455 467 472
R212
L255
R203
L252
R203
L249
R191
L234
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013(FY)
Average score Number of TOEIC examinees
Liberal Arts
Liberal Arts
Sciences
Sciences
4
Highest Average Scores among Students Who Focus on All “Four Skills” 5When average scores are divided according to the language skills (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) prioritized by examinees, it is clear that new recruits and existing employees
who equally emphasize all four skills achieve higher average scores. In other words, the higher the score, the more likely the test-taker is aware of the importance of balancing all four skills.
Scores Inf luenced by Overseas Stays4Data shows that the longer time spent by examinees in countries where English is the main language, the higher their average scores. The difference is particularly noticeable when the length of an overseas stay exceeds six months. Moreover, among examinees who
spent between six months and a year overseas, those who studied intensively showed significant progress in terms of their English skills. The trend toward higher average scores among those who have lived overseas applied to both liberal-arts and science graduates.
* Data in ② was obtained by dividing the responses to ① B through E in accordance with each respondent’s academic major.
② Examinee Numbers and Average Scores for Newly Hired Liberal Arts and Science Graduates According to Time Spent Overseas
* Data was obtained based on answers to the following survey question:
① Examinee Numbers and Average Scores for New Recruits According to Time Spent Overseas
Have you ever stayed in a country where English is the main language?
L&R&S&W (39,020 Persons)
W (19,889 Persons)
L&S (78,441 Persons)
R&W (29,805 Persons)
S (56,202 Persons)
428
469
505
389
473
466
553
L (102,897 Persons)
R (99,572 Persons)
(Score)0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
Existing Employees
R 187L 241
R 213L 255
R 225L 280
R 167L 221
R 209L 264
R 209L 257
R 253L 300L&R&S&W (2,021 Persons)
W (1,487 Persons)
L&S (4,683 Persons)
R&W (1,895 Persons)
S (4,756 Persons)
469
503
545
380
506
483
617
L (4,892 Persons)
R (8,580 Persons)
(Score)0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
New Recruits
R 212L 257
R 239L 263
R 252L 293
R 169L 211
R 232L 274
R 224L 259
R 293L 325
E: 2 years or more(951 Persons)
B: Less than 6 months(8,020 Persons)
D: 1 year up to 2 years
(330 Persons)
C: 6 months up to12 months
(890 Persons)
A: Never(17,948 Persons)
(Score)
800
759
744
0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900
R 374L 426
R 347L 397
549R 258L 291
454R 209L 244
R 355L 404
(Score)0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700
494
647
442
547
Never stayed(5,574 Persons)
Stayed in an English-speaking country(5,170 Persons)
Never stayed(11,612 Persons)
Stayed in an English-speaking country(4,736 Persons)
R 304
L 262
R 203L 239
R 256L 290
R 231
L 343
* Figures for existing employees were obtained by excluding new recruits and provisional recruits from Institutional Program examinees data for FY2012.
Sciences
* Data was obtained based on answers to the following survey question:
■ Average Score for New Recruits and Existing Employees According to the Language Skill Each Examinee Prioritizes the Most
Which of the following language skills have you prioritized the most?
L:Listening R:Reading S:Speaking W:Writing L&S:Listening&Speaking R&W:Reading&Writing L&R&S&W:Listening&Reading&Speaking&Writing
Liberal Arts
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5
TOEIC® Test Encourages Trainee Staff to Develop a Global Perspective
InterviewMeiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd.
MeijiSeikaPharma,succeedstothepharmaceuticaldivisionoftheformerMeijiSeikaKaisha,Ltd.,manufacturesandmarketsmedicalandveterinarydrugsaswellasagriculturalchemicals.Itspharmaceuticalbusinessbeganin1946withproductionofpenicillin.Sincethen,thecompanyhasestablisheditselfasamajorpharmaceuticalpharmawithafocusondrugstotreatinfectiousdiseases.Atthesametime,asavaluableadditiontothefoundationofitsbusiness,MeijiSeikaPharmaproducesandmarketsantidepressants,anxiolytics,andotherdrugstotreatcentralnervoussystemdisorders.Thecompanyisnowleveragingthewealthofexpertiseithasbuiltupovermanyyearsofdevelopingnewdrugstobreaknewgroundinthefieldofgenericdrugs. Basedonitscoreactivities,whicharecenteredonnewdrugsforinfectiousdiseasesandcentralnervoussystemdisorders,andgenericdrugs,MeijiSeikaPharmaisimplementing“fusionstrategy”topromotetheusebothofitsdrugsinspecialityandofgenericdrugsasthepatient’sconditiondemands,inabidtosecurethecompany’sleadingpositionas“Speciality&GenericPharma”tomeettheincreasingdemandformedicationsintheagingsociety. GroupcompaniesinChina,Thailand,Indonesia,andSpainarespearheadingMeijiSeikaPharma’saggressivebusinessexpansionplans,andthecompanyisalsopursuingstrategicalliancesinAsia,Europe,andtheUnitedStates.Asaresultoftheseefforts,itisincreasinglycommonforMeijiSeikaPharmatodealwithforeignpharmaceuticals. “Therearemoreandmorecaseswhereour
A Strong Advocate for Specialty and Generic Drugs
Company Overview
Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd. 19164,035 (consolidated group companies; as of March 31, 2013)
Name:Founded:
Employees:
Meiji Seika Pharma is a pharmaceutical company established in April 2011 as part of the restructuring of the Meiji Group. The company’s core business consists of drugs to treat infectious diseases and disorders of the central nervous system as well as generic drugs; it also deals in agricultural chemicals and veterinary drugs. The team at Meiji Seika Pharma is dedicated to helping the Meiji Group achieve its mission of meeting the expectations of all stakeholders regarding health and reassurance.
Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd. uses the TOEIC test as part of its training for new recruits and other staff education programs as a way to encourage employees to develop a global perspective and improve their business English abilities. In the future, the company hopes to incorporate the TOEIC SW tests to improve the effectiveness of its training regime.
人財開発支援センタMeiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd.
Yoshinori Matsuo Group Manager HR & General Affairs Dept.
Keisuke Mochizuki HR & General Affairs Dept.
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● Published by Market Development UnitThe Institute for International Business Communication (IIBC)Sanno Grand Building 2-14-2, Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0014, JapanPhone: 81/03-5521-5012 Fax: 81/03-3581-5512Official Website: http://www.toeic.or.jp
Meiji Seika Pharma conducts business around the world, with production and sales operations in China, Thailand, Indonesia, and Spain, as well as representative offices in Beijing, Madrid, and Los Angeles. Moreover, in recent years, the company is expanding its sales channels to include Vietnam and Russia.
Meiji Seika Pharma Co., Ltd.
Meiji Seika Pharma’s long-term management policies are encapsulated in its 2020 Vision, which advocates overseas expansion, especially into Asian and emerging markets, as well as further growth of its generic drug operations, and aggressive investment in research and development. Under the 2020 Vision, the company aims to achieve sales of 200 billion yen by FY2020, up from 127.3 billion yen in FY2012.
2 The 2020 Vision
1 Overseas Network
With its emphasis on a pioneering spirit and diversity, Meiji Seika Pharma seeks to hire a diverse range of dynamic individuals who relish challenges. The company is looking for the sort of people who can set their own goals and make an all-out effort to meet them. The company also believes that diversity brings a broad range of opinions to the table generates the energy needed to invigorate Meiji Seika Pharma and foster its continued growth.
3 The Ideal New Recruit
employeeshavetoreadEnglishdocuments,”explainsKeisukeMochizuki,HR&GeneralAffairsDept.,highlightingtheimportanceofEnglishskillsatthecompany.“EvenourmedicalrepresentativesinJapanneedEnglishskillstofulfilltheirduties.”Apressingneedforthecompanythesedaysistotrainthelocalhiresatitsoverseasbasesandfosterglobalhumanresourceswiththeskillstoleaditsoverseasbusiness. ThesearethecircumstancesthathaveshapedMeijiSeikaPharma’sapproachtorecruiting.Withitsemphasisonapioneeringspiritanddiversity,thecompanyseeksrecruitswithdynamicpersonalitiesandischannelingconsiderableefforttowardtrainingthatwillfacilitatepersonnelwithglobalcapabilities,whilealsoactivelyseekingemployeesfromforeigncountries.
MeijiSeikaPharma’sglobalhumanresourcetrainingisconductedoverfourphases:1.Raisingawarenessamongnewemployees2.Selectionofcandidates(oftrainees)forthenextphaseandfosteringtherelevantskills3.Overseas-basedtraining4.Overseasassignments PhaseoneisaimedatmakingnewrecruitsbetterawareoftheneedforEnglishskillsanddevelopingaglobalperspective.Towardthisend,oneofthefirstthingstraineesdoistotaketheTOEICtest.Inparticular,theTOEICtestscoresarealsousedasacriterionwhendecidingadvancementinadministrativecareerstreams. YoshinoriMatsuo,agroupmanagerofHR&GeneralAffairsDept.,explainsmoreaboutthephasedtraining:“InPhase2,whenweselectcandidatesforthenextphase,welookforaTOEICscoreofatleast650.TraineesundergosixmonthsofEnglishtrainingtobrushuptheirglobal
The TOEIC® Newsletter is published quarterly by the Institute for International Business Communication (IIBC) in Japanese. It features how the TOEIC program is used effectively within companies, universities and other institutions. We offer the latest case studies of TOEIC program usage to our clients, so they can take full advantage of the TOEIC program within their organization. In this journal, we also introduce a trend of global human resources development and the globalization movement in Japan. This issue is a summary of the TOEIC Newsletter No.118 (issued: July 2013) translated into English by IIBC for its readers around the world.
ETS, the ETS logo, PROPELL, TOEIC, TOEIC Bridge, TOEIC BRIDGE are registered trademarks of Educational Testing Service in the United States, Japan and other countries and used under license.
Issued: October 2013
communicationskills.ThosewhomakeittoPhase3havetheirchancetoexperiencetrainingoverseas.ThispastJuly,forthefirsttime,wesentadelegationofyoungandmid-careertraineestoIndia.” MeijiSeikaPharmaisalsoconsideringimplementingtheTOEICSWteststogaugetheefficacyofitstrainingprograms.ThecompanybelievesthattheTOEICSWtests,justliketheTOEICtest,willmakeitpossibletoquantifytheoutcomesofthetrainingregime,therebyhelpingtoraiseemployeemotivation.
6
TOEIC SW Tests Could be Introduced in the Future