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As we are moving into summer a lot of students might be gearing up to take the Eiken test.

Which means that a lot of times we as foreign teachers might be asked to tutor or assist them with it.

For those who do not know the Eiken test has an in person or online interview test. This interview test consist of a reading comprehension section, picture describing section and two opinion questions. 

While most students can do the reading comprehension with not much issue. The biggest hurdle for them comes from picture describing and opinion questions. One method I like to use to help tutor students on passing these two sections is breaking down what exactly they need to answer in order to hit all the points. 

With the picture description, the best method I tell the students to do is start with the prompt sentence, then describe how many people are in the panel, what actions they are doing and (if there are) stating the dialogue. Repeat this process for each panel. To help the students keep track of these three points I provide them with a checklist, so they can check off if they were able to properly hit all three points. By having the students use this checklist when they are practicing at home, it can put them into the habit of answer like so for the test.

Next the opinion questions. This section is usually the section that most students struggle with. A lot of students will tend to over-complicate the answer to the question. However, if you look at the sample answer that the test gives, it’s very basic. In order to successfully answer these questions again the student has to hit three main points. First, answering yes / no or agree / disagree. Second, their reason. Finally lastly, an example to support their reason. I find that the best way for students to practice this without over-complicating it is to strictly follow a checklist. Also making sure that they use simple English to answer. 

If the student has their cellphone on them, you can have them record themselves answering the opinion question and then having the student listen back on it. This will make pointing out what they did good in and what needs improvement much easier for the student to know.

If you are looking for more information about Eiken and how to teach it at a private secondary school in Japan, please check out these videos by our former Chief of English Services and Senior Advisor Peter Ackerly: