TOEIC: On the way out in South Korea?
Seems like the TOEIC could be on the way out of South Korea.
Via the Korea Times on October 20, 2006 - South Korea’s Education minister says that the government is developing a new “in-house” English evaluation exam.
Top reasons for TOEIC’s phase out:
1. Businesses are complaining about poor English skills from college grads.
The problem is not that there aren’t enough jobs, but that the English skills are so low that new grads just can’t be hired.
2. English ed is too scholarly: Not enough focus on day-to-day use of language.
3. Companies complain that the TOEIC is not accurate.
Students do great on the exams, but when they have to hold an English conversation while on the job….
According to the article, the South Korean government is conducting feasability studies into creating their own exam that would incorporate speaking and conversation into a nationwide language assessment tool.
Earlier this month, the ministry said it is conducting a feasibility study on launching a new English test, composed of four parts: reading, listening, speaking and writing. It estimated some 2 million Koreans would take the exam every year.
The Korea Times : CEOs Press for English Education Reform
I wonder something: If the Korean govt. throws the TOEIC out and successfully deploys their new English assessment exam, will they be able to come up with accurate results? Or will South Korean CEO’s still be complaining about accuracy in another five or ten years?
powered by performancing firefox
