Studying for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. Beyond passing the test, it taught me the value of long-term strategies and discipline. Later, while working in Learning & Development for a large corporation, I used those same strategies to create an English Learning Program for employees. Here’s how that experience shaped this project.

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The Project Background

I managed an internal website designed to motivate employees to improve their English skills, featuring grammar tips, Departmental TOEIC score averages, and details about the company’s English lesson reimbursement program. To further boost engagement, I launched the ‘This is the Year I Master English!’ project.

This nine-month program included testing, speaking evaluations, and coaching sessions. Participants from various departments, with diverse levels of English ability, were tracked anonymously at the beginning, middle, and end of the program. This approach showcased how employees implemented their learning strategies and the results they achieved, providing concrete examples of progress across varying skill levels.

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Structuring the Program

The program was divided into three milestones: kickoff, midterm, and final evaluations. At each stage, I coached participants on goal setting, fine-tuning strategies, and reflecting on their progress.

We used the CASEC test (an online TOEIC equivalent) and a custom speaking evaluation to measure fluency, grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and listening. Personalized coaching notes addressed individual challenges, with an emphasis on consistent study habits and speaking practice. Drawing from my JLPT experience, I advised participants to utilize the process of regularly reading their study materials out loud and avoid last-minute cramming. The emphasis was on maintaining a regular learning schedule for the duration of the project.

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The Results: What I Expected vs. What Actually Happened

I expected steady improvements, but the results were mixed. Participants started strong but saw scores drop by midterm. By the end, some managed to recover and slightly surpass their initial scores, while others struggled to regain momentum.

One participant stood out. She started with a TOEIC score of 400 and aimed for 550 but lost motivation midway because her study materials didn’t engage her. During coaching, we discovered her joy of reading bedtime stories to her children. We came up with a plan for her to find the English versions of these bedtime stories and utilize them for her own English studies. This adjustment reignited her motivation, and by the end, her TOEIC score improved by over 40%, along with her speaking ability.

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Lessons Learned

The key takeaway? Motivation and consistency are critical. Those who stuck to their plans and adapted when needed made progress, while others fell behind.

Here’s how to avoid the midterm slump:

• Stick to your plan but adapt as needed.
• Avoid cramming; learning happens over time.
• Speak out loud to internalize new words and phrases.
• Focus on being understood rather than perfect pronunciation.
• Check in regularly with a mentor or peer to sustain motivation and reassess strategies.

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Final Thoughts

This program was a rewarding experience for both the participants and me. It reinforced the importance of consistency, adaptability, and active practice—principles that apply to any long-term goal, whether learning a language or mastering a skill.

What about you? Have you ever applied lessons from one challenge to tackle another? What are you goals for this year? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

If you’re looking to build a solid learning plan, feel free to contact me here to learn more about my coaching services.