RareJob, Inc. (hereinafter “RareJob”), which utilizes data related human resources and develop global talents, launches Business English Speaking Skill Assessment for 100,000 Project by PROGOS for corporations, universities, and other organizations on December 8, 2020.

In June 2020, we released PROGOS, a business English speaking test to properly assess skills required in business communication, as a part of our service to realize our service mission: “Encouraging 10 million Japanese to speak fluent English.”
This time, we have decided to launch the Business English Speaking Skill Assessment for 100,000 Project by PROGOS, to provide PROGOS automated evaluation (beta-version) at a large scale, to a total of 100,000 people through organizations at free.

Project Overview

For details, please refer to the project details at the end of the statement. (*1)

If you prefer a trial on a small scale, we also provide a free trial up to five people per organization.
Please sign up at: https://progos.ai/trial/

Background to the Project

With the recent advancement of digital technologies and the influence of COVID-19, global business communication has shifted towards online. In the new normal, this shift seems irreversible. On the other hand, according to our report on our survey relating to human resources training and the introduction of job-based employment, more than 90% of the companies are concerned about the English skills of their expected talent, nevertheless, only 20% of the companies assess employees’ English speaking skills. (*2)
In universities, many students cancelled or postponed study abroad programs, could not have English lessons in classroom, and are worried about finding a job. In other words, students who are expected to become global leaders in the future, are now in an extremely difficult situation. Even under these circumstances, however, the importance of acquiring world-class English skills for the future remains unchanged.

Given the situations at corporations and universities, together with the findings in this survey, we have decided to provide PROGOS to a wide range of people through the project.
To provide “Chances for everyone, everywhere”, which is our group vision, we will support people who are aspired to become global leaders in the future.

Message from Masuyo Ando, Head of PROGOS Business

To acquire world-class English speaking skills, it is extremely important to have clear goals and to keep yourself motivated for learning. We launched this project because we sincerely hope to support business people and students in every difficult situation under the COVID-19 so that they may move forward to the future with a global perspectives.
Off-line global communication is getting increasingly difficult as business travels and overseas assignments have been restricted. However, I believe we can expand global communication if we make use of online technologies. To do so, we need the skills required for online communication.
To acquire such skills efficiently and effectively, it is useful to check your skills on a regular basis. Please take advantage of PROGOS automated evaluation, with which you can check your speaking skills just as “stepping on a weight scale.” Through this project, we would like to support you to take the first step forward.

Masuyo Ando Assistant Division Head of RareJob Corporate Business Division.

After graduating from a university, worked in a research institute and a foreign-affiliated pharmaceutical company.
7.5 year experience in the US, studied at graduate schools and worked in a securities firm. After returning to Japan, gained more than 20 years’ experience in English language training and assessment, and global human resource development.
Joined RareJob, Inc. in April 2020 to lead its assessment business.

PROGOS Automated Evaluation

PROGOS is a business English speaking test that can quickly, easily, and reasonably measure English speaking skil with the CEFR standards. AI technology enables automated evaluation, and the results can be returned in a short period of time, in 2 to 3 minutes at the fastest. In addition to the overall evaluation, six analytical evaluation can be used to identify weaknesses and to be used for efficient learning. We also provide PROGOS manual version evaluated by human raters.

For more information on the test: https://progos.ai/about.html

* Business English Speaking Skill Assessment for 100,000 Project by PROGOS Detailed Information

*2 From the ” RareJob Global Leader Development Analysis Report 2020″ announced in December 2020

More than 90% of companies are concerned about the English language ability of their expected talent

Only 20% of companies assess the English speaking skill of their employees