What's On

The Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) is a test for non-native speakers of Japanese which evaluates and certifies their Japanese-Language proficiency. The test takes place twice a year (July and December) in Japan and various locations around the world. Currently, it is the largest Japanese language test in the world, with approximately 1.9 million people worldwide having registered for the JLPT in 2025.

The next December JLPT will take place on Sunday, 6^th December 2026. Registration will start at each test centre from early/ mid-August.  

Please check this page for any updates on UK test centres for the December 2026 JLPT. For application opening dates and registration details, please refer to each university’s website using the links below (Please note that the JLPT is very popular and registration at each test centre will close when the test centre has reached its maximum capacity.):

- Japan Research Centre, SOAS University of London

- University of Leicester

- University of Edinburgh

Important Changes

1. Starting from 2025, examinees are not allowed to use mobile phones and other devices, including smartwatches and all camera and communication devices, until the end of the entire test, including during breaks. Examinees must turn OFF their devices until the test is completed. If the devices are turned ON during breaks, it will be considered misconduct and their test scores will be invalidated.

2. Starting from 2026, examinees who arrive after the set time that registration at the venue has finished will not be permitted to take the first test section. They will be permitted to enter the test room from the second test section. However, if examinees miss a section, they cannot pass the JLPT. Furthermore, since the December 2025 JLPT exams, the start time of the exam has been changed to an earlier time than previous years. Please check the new test schedule on your test centre’s website and on your test voucher, and make sure that you will be able to arrive at the venue on time for registration.

3. CEFR Levels have been added as reference information in JLPT score reports starting from the December 2025 JLPT. For details, please check here.

For more information about the test, please visit JLPT website.

Ø  Let’s Try Sample Questions!

You can find information on the programme as well as links to download an application form by clicking here

Are you considering applying for funding but aren’t sure about how to go about it? Do you have a project in mind but aren’t sure if it’s eligible? We would strongly recommend that you sign up to take part in our Online Seminar and Q&A session.

During this half-hour session, a member of our staff will talk participants through the application process, and then open the floor to questions and answers. We want to make sure the application process is as easy-to-understand as possible.

Date/Time:

27th May 2026 (Wednesday), 18:00 to 18:30

(Application Deadline: 26th May 2026, 23:59)

Attendance is free but booking is essential.

We will be using Zoom software. Once you have applied we will send you information on how to join the session.

This seminar will be held in English but the presenter is a bilingual Japanese-English speaker. Please use Japanese in this application form and at the Q&A if you would prefer.

Fill out the application form here

The Japan Foundation, London will be holding an online Refresher Course for Japanese teachers over a few weeks from January to May. This is to help non-native-speaker-level Japanese teachers brush up their Japanese level and network with other Japanese teachers.

The in-person Final Day of the Refresher Course (Network Event) will be held in London and is now open to all, even if you have not participated in the Refresher Course.

Why not join us in London for a chance to meet fellow teachers of Japanese, participate in workshops, and hear from expert speakers? The event is free and lunch will also be provided.

You can find information on the Network Event below:

Basic Information

• Date/Time: Saturday 27th June, 11:00-15:00
• Venue: Citadines Holborn-Covent Garden London, 94-99 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LF (Closest station : Holborn)
• Fee: Free
• Languages Used: English/Japanese
• Application Deadline: 17th June 2026 (Wednesday)
• Maximum Number of Attendees: 30

*If the number of application exceeds the limit, priority will be given to school teachers.

Eligibility (any one or more of the following)

• Teachers who teach Japanese at secondary and/or primary schools, including teaching extra-curricular activities such as school clubs
• PGCE students who are aiming to become Japanese teachers
• SCITT trainees/candidates 

Schedule

• 10:45　Venue opens, registration, tea/coffee social
• 11:00　Opening
• 11:10　Session 1 (Presentation by Ms Anne Rajakumar: Implementing Japanese through Inter-School Collaboration – How pupils in multiple schools can benefit from extracurricular Japanese)
• 11:40　Break
• 12:00　Session 2 (Presentation by Ms Helen Langsam: Getting students to 'think hard' in our classrooms)
• 12:30　Session 3 (workshop)
• 13:30　Lunch (provided)
• 15:00　End

*The timetable may be subject to change.

Speakers

Ms Anne Rajakumar

Anne Rajakumar has been teaching Japanese for over thirty years, in both Australia and the UK. She is the author of the successful Australian primary-level workbooks, Yonde Kaite, and has a website and Youtube channel which hosts a wealth of material to support the GCSE, A-Level and International Baccalaureate Japanese programmes. Until giving up classroom teaching in 2020, Anne was the Head of Japanese at Hockerill Anglo-European College and since then she has focussed on teaching online. For the past fifteen years making online resources to support 'Flipped Learning' in the classroom has been a major focus of her work, and she has integrated the use of online resources into her teaching (Flipped Learning) to great effect.

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Mrs Helen Langsam

Helen Langsam has been teaching Japanese in the UK for over twenty-five years. After completing a PGCE in Japanese, she taught in a range of secondary schools in both the UK as well as in the United States. Since 2002, she has taught GCSE and A Level Japanese to students across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 in a state secondary school in North London. As an Assistant Headteacher, Helen leads whole-school Teaching and Learning, as well as staff training and development. She delivers a wide range of CPD sessions, grounded in current research, on topics including checking for understanding, curriculum design, and assessment. She also oversees Literacy across the school and line-manages the SEND, EAL, and Humanities faculties. 

Click here to register to attend

Application Deadline: 17th June 2026 (Wednesday)