WPMとは "Words Per Minute" の頭文字をとったもので、1分間あたりに聞き取る(もしくは読むことができる)単語数を表します。
WPMは、リスニングやリーディングのスピードを計測する目安として扱われます。
この記事では、様々な英語教材の速度を、音声サンプル付きでリストにしました。
・あなたが聞き取れる WPM を診断
・WPMを上げる効果的な学習法
も掲載しています。
リスニング力を伸ばしたい方、ぜひ参考にしてください。
冒頭でも書きましたが、WPMとは、"Word Per Minute"の頭文字です。
1分間あたりの単語数を表します。
WPMは、以下の計算で求めることができます。
WPM(英語のスピード) = 単語数 / 音声の長さ(分)
例:1分間に120単語が話される音声の場合、WPMは120になります。
「ネイティブとある程度の会話ができるようになりたい」 ― これが目標なら、WPM 160が最初の大きな節目です。
なぜ160なのか?
・ディズニー映画のセリフ速度: 約150 WPM
・英検2級〜準1級のリスニング: 160 WPM
・ネイティブが気を遣って話す速度: 140 ~ 160 WPM
日本人の平均は「WPM 80〜100」と言われるため、WPM 160は遠く感じるかもしれません。
しかし、弊社のコーチングでは、約2か月でWPM 100 → 160を達成した受講生が何十人もいます。
ここまでくると、普段聞いていた英語も理解できるようになり、初心者を抜け出した実感も湧いてくるでしょう。
一方、仕事で英語を使うなら、WPM 160では足りません。
・英語の会議 / 商談: 170〜200 WPM
・TOEIC Part3-4 のリスニング: 180 WPM〜
・英語プレゼン / セミナー: 180 WPM前後
・ネイティブ同士の雑談: 200 WPMを超えることも
実際のビジネス英語は、ネイティブが気を遣わない速度で話されます。つまり、WPM180が仕事で通用する最低ラインです。
リスニングの初心者は、まずこのくらいの速度から。
じっくり取り組みましょう。
単語数: 13 WPM: 115
Dad, I'm going shopping! Have fun. Can I have $20 for new clothes?
単語数: 27 WPM: 106
The Japanese speech contest is on Friday, right? Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. Me too. My speech is about Japanese food. Mine is about Japanese music.
出展:日本英語検定協会(3級)
少し耳が慣れてきたくらいにちょうどよい速度です。
単語数: 41 WPM: 124
Natsuki was very sad to leave her friends behind in Japan. But everyone likes her at her new school, and she has many friends. Her two best friends are Daniel and Grace. She met Grace on her first day of school.
WPM140まで聞こえると、英検準2級も視野に入ってきます。
単語数: 68 WPM: 146
Kevin, could you help me out with something this weekend? Well, I'll be busy on Sunday. I'm going home to see my mom in Riverton. Do you think you could come over and help me rearrange some furniture on Saturday afternoon? I just bought a new sofa, and I want to move the table and chairs in my living room. Sure, I'm free then. See you on Saturday.
単語数: 68 WPM: 142
Excuse me, you look lost. Do you need help? Yes, thank you. I need to go to the Hobson Towers apartment complex, but the map on my phone is a bit hard to read. Oh, that's easy. Keep walking straight down this road for about five minutes, and you'll see the apartment building on your right. Oh, wonderful. I was worried that I was in the wrong place.
スピードはそこまで早くありませんが、使われている単語がファンタジーの世界観に合ったものも多いため、内容を理解するのが難しいこともあります。
単語数: 36 WPM: 141
Now, once upon a time, a single drop of sunlight fell from the heavens. And from this small drop of sun, grew a magic, golden, flower, It had the avility to heal the sick, and injured.
単語数: 35 WPM: 150
Wow, I could get used to a view like this. Ready? Come on. Hold on. Yep, I'm used to it. Guys, I want a castle. We do this job, you can buy your own castle.
英検は、実は、2級以上はスピードはそこまで変わりません。
ただし、内容が複雑になり、使われている表現も難易度が高くなるため、把握するのが難しくなります。
単語数: 71 WPM: 161
Hi, Bill. I didn't know you've been coming to work by bike lately. Is there anything wrong with your car? My car is fine. My wife just got a new job. Her office is in the suburbs, and she wants to drive there. I see. How long does it take to get here on your bike? About 30 minutes. It's actually not too bad, as long as the weather is good.
単語数: 79 WPM: 154
Did you take your smartphone back to the electronics store? Yes, and they gave me a full refund because it was defective. That's a relief. Yes, but they wouldn't take back the case I bought for the phone. What do you mean? The clerk said the refund policy didn't apply because it had no defects. But it's useless without the phone. That's what I said, but they said it was store policy. I sure won't be shopping there again.
単語数: 75 WPM: 148
How was the resort? Awful. It turned out the ads were really deceptive. What do you mean? First of all, the stunning facilities in the photo turned out to be ancient, and the rooms were filthy. That doesn't sound good. Plus, the brochure said meals were included, but the portions were tiny. You had to shell out extra if you didn't want to starve. I guess you won't be staying there again, then. Absolutely not.
単語数: 105 WPM: 183
Hello, I'm calling about a coffee machine I purchased from your website. It stopped working even though I haven't had it for very long. I expected it to last much longer than this. Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. Our warranty covers products for up to a year. Do you know when you bought it? I've had it for a little over a year, so the warranty is probably just expired. This is so disappointing. Well, I'll tell you what we can do. Although we can't replace it, since you're a valued customer, I can offer you a coupon for 40% off your next purchase.
単語数: 91 WPM: 218
Hello Mr. Li, this is Thomas from BKS Auto Shop calling with some information about your car repair. I know we told you that it would take until next week to get the part we ordered, but we got the part early and I was able to finish the repair. We're going to be closing for the day in a few minutes, but you're welcome to come get your car anytime tomorrow. If you need a ride to the shop tomorrow, let me know and I can arrange one for you.
Part C は、10秒ほどの英文を聞いたあと、質問に自由に答える問題です。
単語数: 32 WPM: 180
Aren't you supposed to be at the airport now to pick up your father? Don't worry, the flight's been delayed. I'll leave in 20 minutes. Oh, I thought you forgot your schedule.
Part D は、40秒ほどの英文を聞いたあと、複数の質問に答えます。
単語数: 115 WPM: 143
Sandy grew up in the city, but made the decision to move to the countryside where her grandparents lived. Her grandparents asked Sandy if she could spend more time with them, and she thought it would be nice to experience the green fields and quiet surroundings. However, when she got there, Sandy felt very homesick. She missed the busy sounds of city life. When she was lonely, she took walks and explored the trails, where she found many beautiful flowers. Over time, Sandy's feelings of homesickness faded away as she admired the beauty around her. She also found new friends who enjoyed painting the landscapes. Now, they get together over the weekends to paint together.
映画や実際の会話では、音の連結や、ひねった表現も多くなるため、WPM以上に難易度が高くなります。
単語数: 54 WPM: 179
You should probably do your sales calls. I don't need you to tell me about my sales calls, Linda. I got three of them before the damn office is even open. Do you remember that rent is due next week? Probably not. We're already two months behind. Next, next week, we're over three months.
単語数: 57 WPM: 202
I'm a stockbroker. Stockbroker? Oh, I had to go to college to be a stockbroker, huh? You don't have to. Have to be good at numbers and good with people. That's it. Hey, you take care. Hey, I'm gonna let you hang on to my car for the weekend, but I need it back by Monday. Feed the meter.
WPMを上げる原則はシンプルです。
いま聞き取れる速度の +10 WPMを狙って、負荷をかけながら練習する。これだけです。
学習方法は、リスニング・シャドーイング・オーバーラッピングなど様々な種類がありますが、どの練習法を選んでも、「ちょっとだけ速いWPM」で行うのが鉄則です。
英語が聞こえない場合、WPM(スピード)が足りていない以外にもいくつかの原因が考えられます。
・WPM(スピード)が足りていない
・知らない単語が含まれる
・英語の発音変化(リエゾン)が聞き取れない
WPMを上げる練習は効果的ですが、聞こえない原因が別にある場合、速度だけ上げても効果は限定的です。
「練習をしているのに聞こえるようにならない..」という停滞感を感じたときは、WPM以外の理由を疑ってみましょう。
ぼくらの英語コーチングは、最短ルートの教材・練習法を提案するサービスです。
WPMを継続して上げていくには、自分のレベルに合った教材を選び続ける必要があります。しかし、自分にぴったりの教材を選び続けるのは想像以上に難しい作業です。
100名以上の受講生が、約2か月でWPM100 → 160を達成しています。
「勉強をしているのに、英語力が上がっている実感がない」と感じている方、ぜひ一度、無料体験を受けてみてください。
今後の学習方針が明確になることを約束します!
・WPM は1分あたりの語数。リスニング力を測る客観的な指標
・日常会話レベルならWPM 160、仕事で使うならWPM 180が目安
・WPMを上げるコツは「いま聞ける速度 +10」で負荷をかけ続けること