IR News｜News

 Benesse Corporation and Berlitz International, Inc. today announced plans to begin sales of a new version of Global Test of English Communication (GTEC), a comprehensive proficiency test of business-level English communications skills. The new product, specifically tailored to the needs of corporate clients, is scheduled for simultaneous launch in Japan and 12 other countries and regions in January 2005.

Jointly developed by Benesse and Berlitz, GTEC is an online English proficiency test that measures all four language skills-listening, reading, writing and speaking. Since its launch in Japan in September 2003, orders for the test have been strong. As of October 2004, around 300 companies had adopted GTEC and approximately 11,700 people had sat the test.

In Japan, it is estimated that there is annual demand from around 2 million business professionals and other working people for English proficiency exams. Amid growing demand in recent years, there is an increasing need for a practical and low-cost method of evaluating English ability that is both comprehensive and accurate.

With this new version targeted at corporate clients, Benesse now offers a lineup of five different variations of its GTEC test for working people. The GTEC_Corporate Test Edition (CTE) has been specifically developed with the corporate user in mind. Improvements include more skills evaluation options, a shorter testing time thanks to effective use of past test questions, and a more competitive price. Anybody with Internet access can take the test online, anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day.

Going forward, the language businesses of Benesse and Berlitz also plan to begin systematically rolling out GTEC for junior high school students and younger users, and to develop the test within their existing English Curriculum Framework (ECF), an integrated English language education theory that covers children, students and adults of all ages. In this way, both companies will work to comprehensively develop their businesses in all areas of English language education.


Approximately 300 companies have adopted the test. Leading customers include Sagawa Express, Oracle Corporation Japan, Japanese Red Cross Society, Nintendo, PAG (Premier Automotive Group) Import, INC, an affiliate of Ford Motor Company and Mitsui & Co.
Around 11,700 individuals have sat the test.


Asia: South Korea, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore and Thailand
Europe: France, Italy and Spain
Central and South America: Mexico, Brazil and Chile

*For information, point your browser to:
http://www.benesse.co.jp/gtec/global/index.html