Your company wants a TOEIC score. You want English you can actually use.

Here’s what most people don’t realize: these aren’t competing goals. With the right approach, you can achieve both at the same time.

The TOEIC Reality in Japan

Let’s be honest about what TOEIC is and isn’t.

What TOEIC measures well:

  • Reading comprehension in business contexts
  • Listening comprehension in workplace scenarios
  • Your ability to process English quickly and accurately

What TOEIC doesn’t measure:

  • Your ability to speak in meetings
  • Your writing skills for emails and reports
  • Your confidence when interacting with international colleagues

This isn’t a criticism of TOEIC—it’s simply what the test was designed to do. The Listening and Reading sections are objectively scored and reliable indicators of receptive skills.

The problem comes when people treat a TOEIC score as proof of overall English ability. A 900-point scorer who can’t hold a conversation has a skills gap. A confident speaker with a 650 score has a different gap.

You need to close both gaps.

Why “Just Study Harder” Doesn’t Work

I’ve met many working adults stuck at the same TOEIC score for years. They study vocabulary. They do practice tests. They take the exam again. Same result.

Usually the issue isn’t effort—it’s approach.

Common patterns I see:

  • Studying “general English” instead of test-specific strategies
  • Practicing reading slowly and carefully (TOEIC requires speed)
  • Ignoring listening practice because it’s “harder to study alone”
  • No feedback loop to identify actual weak points

TOEIC is a test with specific patterns. Learning those patterns is not cheating—it’s being strategic about where you focus limited study time.

The “Score + Skill” Approach

Here’s what I offer: TOEIC preparation that also develops practical ability.

This isn’t a compromise. The skills overlap more than you might think.

How TOEIC prep builds real skills:

  • Listening practice with business scenarios trains your ear for meetings
  • Reading speed and scanning techniques help with daily email volume
  • Business vocabulary from TOEIC appears in actual workplace communication
  • Time management under pressure mirrors real deadline situations

How practical skills boost your TOEIC score:

  • If you understand business context, you predict answers faster
  • If you’ve heard vocabulary in real conversations, recognition is automatic
  • If you read English daily, your reading speed naturally improves

The key is designing lessons that serve both purposes simultaneously.

The 800+ Threshold

In many Japanese companies, TOEIC 800 is the threshold that matters. Below it, you’re “studying English.” Above it, you’re “someone who can use English.”

This isn’t always fair—plenty of 750-scorers communicate better than 850-scorers. But the perception exists, and if your company uses TOEIC for promotions or assignments, that threshold matters for your career.

If you’re currently in the 600-750 range, focused preparation can often push you past 800 faster than you expect. The difference between 700 and 800 is usually strategic, not a massive increase in English ability.

My Background: 18 Years in Tokyo Business

I’m not just an English teacher who learned about business English from textbooks.

From 1994 to 2012, I worked in Tokyo’s corporate environment—18 years of meetings, negotiations, presentations, and daily communication in professional Japanese. I understand what Japanese companies actually need from English-capable employees, because I’ve been on the other side of that table.

This matters for TOEIC preparation because I can distinguish between “English that tests well” and “English that works in Japanese business culture.” Ideally, you develop both.

Who This Works For

This approach suits you if:

  • You have a TOEIC score goal (for work, promotion, or job change)
  • You also want to improve your actual communication ability
  • You can commit to regular practice between lessons
  • You want strategic guidance, not just conversation practice

This might not be the right fit if:

  • You only want casual English conversation with no test goal
  • You need intensive group exam prep (I work with small groups, max 6)
  • You’re looking for the cheapest option available

What Lessons Look Like

For TOEIC-focused students:

  • Diagnostic review of your current score breakdown
  • Targeted practice on your weakest sections
  • Time management strategies specific to each part
  • Regular practice tests with detailed feedback

The “+Skill” component:

  • Business conversation practice using TOEIC-level vocabulary
  • Discussion of real workplace scenarios
  • Speaking and writing practice (skills TOEIC doesn’t test but you need)
  • Practical application of what you’re learning

The balance between test prep and practical skills adjusts based on how close your exam date is and what your priorities are.

Next Step

If you have a TOEIC goal and want practical skills too, let’s talk.

Bring your most recent score report (or a practice test result) to a consultation. I’ll identify the 1-2 key areas holding your score back and outline a realistic improvement path.

No pressure, no aggressive sales pitch. Just an honest assessment of where you are and what it would take to get where you want to be.

Book a Free Consultation

Your company cares about your TOEIC score. You care about actually being able to use English. These goals align more than you think—if you approach them strategically.