What is the “communicative language competence required to perform tasks” that is to be measured in the New Japanese-Language Proficiency Test?

Abstract

In 2010, the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test — one of Japan’s most popularlanguage tests — was revised. The test executors, the Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services, declared that the main construct supposed to be measured by the revised version of the test was the “communicative language competence required to perform tasks.” The concept was divided into the following two components: (1) Japanese language knowledge, including vocabulary and grammar; and (2) the competence required to perform communicative tasks using language knowledge. However, the latter component has not yet been clearly defined. In this study, the author examines how the latter component can be interpreted using theoretical concepts proposed in the literature, and proposes some research plans that may be effective in more clearly defining the component.