English & International Education Column
Expert guidance on Eiken, IELTS, international school admissions, and business English from specialists with 40 years of teaching experience
Explore Articles by Theme
International Schools
Complete guide to school selection, tuition, curriculum & admissions preparation
Eiken Preparation
Grade selection, study methods, interview prep & score utilization guide
IELTS Preparation
Score strategy & section-by-section preparation guide
Business English
Meetings, emails, negotiations & industry-specific practical guide
Boarding Schools
School selection, entrance exam prep, tuition & dormitory life guide
Bilingual Education
Home environment, age-specific approaches & language balance guide
Popular Articles
![ASIJ (American School in Japan) Admissions & Fees [2026 Edition]: The 'Corporate Quota' Barrier and Strategies for Getting In](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstorage.googleapis.com%2Felt-microcms-ai-automator-og-images%2Fcolumns%2Fasij-school-review%2Fen.png%3Fv%3D1775749025013&w=3840&q=75)
Would you like to try an ELT trial lesson?
Founded in London in 1984, ELT offers one-on-one lessons with experienced native instructors. Start with a free trial to experience the quality of ELT's instruction firsthand.
Book a Free Trial LessonLatest Articles
Business English Emails That Get Results: Tailoring Your Writing for Different Audiences and Leveraging AI Prompts
Structuring and Persuading in English Presentations: The Complete Guide to Story Design to Move Your Audience in 15 Minutes
How to Succeed in English Conference Calls: Facilitation and Management Techniques for Multinational Teams
Business English Varies Completely by Industry: The English You Really Need in Consulting, Pharma, IT, and Trading
ビジネス英語で中級者以上のための学習方法：「読み書きはできるのに話せない」を突破する
The Real Difference Between Business and Everyday English: Why a TOEIC Score of 900 Isn't Enough for English Meetings
外資系コンサルタントに求められる英語力：ケース面接からクライアントワークまでの実戦ガイド
The Ultimate Guide to Executive Presentations in English: From Elevator Pitch to Boardroom Presentation
The English Skills Required in Global Finance & Investment Banking: Specialized Terminology and Logical Explanation
A Complete Guide to English Case Interviews: From Presenting Frameworks to Q&A
How to Read English Contracts and Key Clauses: Negotiation Points for Indemnification & Limitation of Liability
The English Skills Required for Professionals at General Trading Companies: The Negotiation and Small Talk Skills to Lead Multinational Teams
About ELT Column
Since its founding in London in 1984, ELT has been at the forefront of English education for over 40 years. This column draws on our extensive teaching experience and expertise to provide systematic coverage of a wide range of topics, including Eiken, IELTS, and TOEFL preparation, international school admissions, boarding school study abroad, business English, and bilingual education. Every article is supervised by English education specialists and regularly updated with the latest information.
- Expert articles distilling 40 years of international education expertise from our London origins
- Insights from native instructors with proven track records in Eiken Grade 1 and IELTS 7.0+ instruction
- On-the-ground information network for international schools and boarding schools
- Business English specialized by industry (finance, IT, pharmaceuticals, consulting, etc.)
- All articles are supervised by specialists and regularly updated with the latest information
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
We cover a wide range of topics centered on six themes: Eiken preparation, IELTS/TOEFL preparation, international school admissions, boarding school study abroad, business English, and bilingual education. You can explore each theme in detail through our Theme Guides.
All articles are written and supervised by ELT's English education specialists. Founded in London in 1984, ELT has over 40 years of teaching experience, with native instructors and Japanese staff collaborating to provide reliable, high-quality information. Learn more about ELT
If using for university admissions, checking your target school's requirements is most important. Generally, Eiken is widely accepted and has high social recognition. TEAP measures academic English proficiency and is highly valued by certain universities like Sophia University. View the Eiken preparation guide
Requirements vary by school and curriculum, but generally at least conversational-level English is expected. ELT offers personalized English proficiency assessments and preparation plans tailored to your target school's standards. View the international school guide
This varies greatly depending on current English proficiency. Starting from IELTS 5.5, with about 10 hours of study per week, expect 6 to 12 months. Speaking and Writing are difficult to self-study, so professional guidance can significantly accelerate your progress. View the IELTS preparation guide
Business English requires formal expressions, industry terminology, and logically structured writing. It also demands the ability to use appropriate language for specific situations such as meetings, presentations, and emails. View the business English guide
In the UK, children can enter prep school from age 7 (Year 3). The main entry points for boarding schools are at age 11 (11+) or age 13 (13+). View the boarding school guide
From a language acquisition perspective, the earlier the better. However, starting at age 3-4 is still perfectly effective. What matters more than age is providing a consistent language environment. View the bilingual education guide