Schoolgirl passes top level of Japan's 'Eiken' English proficiency test as a 4th grader

Fujikawaguchiko, Yamanashi -- A fifth-grade student from central Japan named Erina Honda, who is 11 years old, has passed the top level of Japan's Eiken English proficiency test, which is often compared to advanced university English proficiency. Erina achieved this accomplishment in the fourth grade, when she took the test between January and March.

She expressed her enjoyment of learning English, stating that it had never felt like a burden. Her mother, Fumie Honda, a 48-year-old woman, emphasized that English had always been a source of fun for Erina. She recounted that Erina began learning English around the age of 2, with the aid of English picture books and songs from Disney learning materials instead of toys.

Fumie noted that initially, Erina did not seem particularly interested in English, but over time, she started responding to English prompts such as "Hands up." From the beginning of kindergarten, Erina became engrossed in a series of extensive reading picture books, starting with very short sentences and gradually moving to longer, more complex stories.

By the end of her final year in kindergarten, she was reading full-length works by authors like Roald Dahl. Although she did not use grammar exercise books, Erina's English skills appeared to have developed naturally through her reading. In her final year of kindergarten, Erina took the Eiken Grade 3 test for the first time and passed.

She then continued to improve her English grammar and vocabulary primarily through reading, preparing for additional Eiken tests. By the end of third grade, she had passed three levels, ranging from Grade Pre-2 to Grade Pre-1. Erina initially failed Grade 1 during her fourth-grade year due to her stamina not being sufficient for the lengthy exam.

Despite this setback, she attempted to climb Mount Fuji, reaching the summit, which she said marked a significant personal achievement. Upon passing Grade 1 for the second time, Erina expressed her happiness. Her mother, Fumie, encouraged her approach to learning English by avoiding excessive parental intervention, allowing Erina to maintain her enjoyment of the language.

Fumie recalled a situation where she initially expected Erina to repeat certain phrases from a picture book she had read aloud. After her husband pointed out her over-intervention, Fumie decided to praise Erina's efforts without correcting minor errors, as she believed children often correct their mistakes on their own when exposed to English consistently.

Erina, now that she has grown with her English proficiency, has expanded her aspirations. She expressed a desire to use English as an international lawyer and stated that she believes English will enable her to communicate with people from various countries.