How the TOEIC Test can help your Organization

English has become the international language of business, utilized by professionals from different countries and backgrounds. As a result, the need for a workforce that is capable of communicating in English is imperative for organization that has an international presence. That’s where the TOEIC test can give your business a competitive edge on the global marketplace.

Since the TOEIC test simulates real-life situations in the global workplace, it gives you an estimate of your employee’s English proficiency in a professional environment. The TOEIC can help you in your hiring process as well as give you more information for placement decisions. It also gives you knowledge on what tasks different employees can handle.

Different industries that have an international presence apply the TOEIC in their external and internal hiring criteria’s. More than 9,000 institutions use the TOEIC to make the most informed hiring process and build a capable workforce for the global marketplace.

So what exactly is the TOEIC test?

The TOEIC test is an English proficiency exam that is based on common situations in global business. The exam is standardized so that it will give you an accurate estimate on the test-takers English language knowledge.

The test content is developed with real examples in a global organization and is familiar regardless of culture or country. The language mirrors how a non-native speaker would interact with another non-native speaker. The English language skills tested are reading, listening, speaking and writing. The test-takers will be tested in both communicating information as well as comprehension.

Examples of language skills tested are, communicating with a customer through the phone, communicating with clients through emails, attending presentations and reporting the presentation to others, gathering information from different sources and summarizing it.

The TOEIC section scores will give the test-taker and the organization a detailed summary of the English language capability of the test-taker. The data received from the test gives your organization information to recognize the employees that possess the competency to perform the required tasks.

The data received from the test also gives you the information on how the test-takers scores fall in relation to other candidates.

Conclusion
The TOEIC test scores can give your organization critical information on hiring and placement decisions. The TOEIC test can also serve as a great tool for developing your workforce to be better prepared when handling requests from international clients or customers. To learn more about the TOEIC check out ETS TOEIC site: www.ets.org/toeic

IELTS Exam Strategies that Gives you an Edge

IELTS Speaking Strategy

Always make sure that you understand the question. It’s better to ask the examiner to repeat the question then to guess what the examiner is asking.

Use bullet points when writing down notes for the second speaking task. You will only have one minute to take notes so make it count.

Speak at a regular speed; it’s easy for non-native speakers to rush when speaking. Avoid it by practicing the tempo of your English speaking beforehand.

Make sure that your answer is always the length that is required from you. It’s also a good idea to practice recording your speech so you can get a feel of the speed and length of your answers.

Learn more about the IELTS speaking test.

IELTS Listening Strategy

If you’re able to look at the questions before or during your listening it will give you an edge.

It’s important that you are focused when listening since you will only hear the recording once.

Learn more about the IELTS listening test.

IELTS Writing Strategy

Always write the amount of words that is requested from you.

Know the different question types you might see in the IELTS writing section.

Avoid repeating the same words over and over. Use synonyms and a diversified vocabulary in your writing.

Learn more about the IELTS writing test.

IELTS Reading Strategy

Have a clear structure of how you approach the IELTS reading test before taking the exam. Maybe you like to mark keywords or write bullet points while reading.

Be aware of the time constraints and how to best utilize your time.

Always answer all the questions even if you have to guess on a few, if you have some time over go back and recheck your answers.

Learn more about IELTS reading test.

TOEFL Speaking Question Types

Just like the TOEFL writing section, the TOEFL speaking part includes different question types. The TOEFL speaking section consist of six different tasks, however, the TOEFL speaking section will only give you two types of questions; an independent style and an integrated question type.

The main difference is that the integrated topic is usually about an academic subject. You will have to give a response based on a lecture or a text, while the independent speaking topic is about your personal opinion on a subject.

TOEFL Integrated Speaking Questions

The TOEFL integrated question types in the speaking section includes both reading and listening comprehension. This requires you to be able to comprehend a lecture or a text and being able to explain what you just have heard or read.

TOEFL Independent Speaking Questions

The independent speaking question type only requires you to speak about your opinion on various personal topics. These question types focuses solely on your ability to speak clearly.

The first speaking task is usually an independent question type where you will give a personal answer. For example, “What is your favorite book or movie? Describe it and say why it is your favorite.”

Decide what your answer is going to be quickly and then start thinking of reasons why that movie or book is your favorite.

Another task where you will see independent question types are where you have to choose between two options and then support your choice. For example “some people prefer summer while others prefer summer. Which season do your prefer and why?”

You only have 30 seconds to answer these question types so make quick decisions and find reasons to support your answer.

Your TOEFL speaking score will be based on the following three criteria’s:

Topic development: Your ability to understand and convey information.

Delivery: Your ability to use clear speech.

Language use: Your grammar and vocabulary knowledge.

Click here to learn more about the TOEFL speaking section

TOEIC Reading & Listening Data: Who Takes the TOEIC?

Below is some interesting information on the average TOEIC test taker. One statistic that stands out is that 49% of TOEIC test participants will take the TOEIC three or more times.
Click on the image below to see a larger view:
TOEIC Data Infographic

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6 Test Taking Tactics for TOEIC Listening Success

1. Be prepared
You should make sure that you are well rested and mentally prepared when taking the TOEIC. You should have enough rest and eat a good breakfast on the day of the exam. Make sure you feel like you have given yourself enough time to prepare for the TOEIC. By feeling prepared you avoid that the stress will get the best of you on exam day. Wear comfortable clothes and we also recommend that you have a watch on you when taking the TOEIC.

2. Answer all the questions
Do not waste time overthinking a question, if you are unsure about the answer just guess. The same goes for finishing the exam, always answer the questions even if you have to guess the remaining questions. Ideally you should always try to leave a couple of minutes before turning the test in to review your answers. Those extra minutes allow you to check your answers and see if you missed a question. This also helps with double check everything.

3. Photographs
The first part of the TOEIC listening section asks you to look at pictures and choose a statement that is most closely related to the image. Focus on the image then ask yourself these three questions: who, why and where.

4. Question-Response
The second part of the TOEIC listening test is Question and Responses. The most crucial factor in this section is that you are focused when listening since you will only hear the statement once.

5. Conversations
The TOEIC conversation section requires you to listen to ten different regular conversations then answer questions based on these conversations. Be aware of traps, test-takers often lose concentration when the conversations are a little longer which makes you more vulnerable. Also, you should pay extra attention to details like dates and numbers.

6. Short Talks
Test-takers often think this is the hardest section of the TOEIC listening section due to speed of the recordings and talks. It’s easy to fall behind; however, you already know this and should be well prepared for it when taking the test. Just remember to pay close attention to the tone of the person speaking.

More about the TOEIC listening test.