How Being Able to Communicate in English Can Help your Career

A high standard of English in an organization, especially at the management level is a competitive advantage that facilitates international growth. While a lack of English language skills can seriously hinder a company.

The English language surrounds us in everyday life and is used in various fields such as culture, politics, education and economics. Knowledge of the English language increases the opportunities for individuals to be part of different social and cultural environments and to participate in a globalized world.

English proficiency may also provide new perspectives on the world, increased opportunities for contact and better understanding of consumers, partners and clients from different parts of the world.

Taking the time to learn English can increase your chances of getting promoted or getting you that new position abroad.

Way’s to learn English

The best way to learn English is to live in a English speaking country. If you have the opportunity to live in an English speaking country for an extended period, this will be the most effective method.

If you want to improve your English before going to a English speaking country you can take intensive English course online. It is true that it is easier to learn new languages quickly when one is young, but this does not mean that older people can not learn English. If you have a good plan and patience, you can acquire a new language or improve the skills you already have.

There are many benefits to learning a language online, a crash course gives you a good foundation in a language that can be helpful in business-related trips.

If your work requires you to be relocated abroad, it will ease your transition if you know English. You will not be as stressed by the cultural differences if you understand what people around you are saying.

If you have plans to do a longer trip to a country or countries you might consider taking a quick course online. By learning the basics of a language you show cultural sensitivity by learning how to communicate with locals in their language.

TOEIC Writing Section Overview

The TOEIC Writing Test is the second part of the TOEIC Speaking and Writing exam.The TOEIC Writing section is designed to measure a person’s ability to communicate in written English in the context of a professional environment.

• Write a sentence based on a picture: 5 questions

• Respond to a written request: 2 questions

• Opinion essay: 1 question

For a great overview on the TOEIC writing section, checkout the video below.

When you don’t need to take the TOEFL exam

We received the question is there a way to study in the U.S. at a university level without taking the TOEFL. Interestingly enough the answer is yes in some few cases. There are some situations when you are exempted from taking the TOEFL exam.

If you have lived in a country where English is the first language for more than 4 years you do not need to take the TOEFL. All you need is be able to prove that you have lived in such country.

You have received an excellent score in the English section of the SAT. The test score show that you have a proficient level for English at the university level. That's why we recommend international students to always take the SAT before they take the TOEFL if they are required to take the SAT.

If your parents are from a English speaking nation (UK, U.S. Australia etc) you can request the TOEFL score request to be dropped. This is however from a school to school basis and the school can still request a TOEFL score from you.

If you attended a High School where English was the official language you do not need to take the TOEFL. Your High School will have to send some sort of proof to the University you are going applying to.

These are a few different situations when you do not need to take the TOEFL exam to attend a U.S. university.

New Course Coming Soon at ePrepz

We have exciting news for all our students at ePrepz. The ePrepz test preparation packages will be updated with new study material for the TOEIC, TOEFL and IELTS. We will also release new a course that will focus on improving students general English skills. So if you are a beginner and want to go over the basics of the English language this course will be perfect for you.

The course also works well for intermediate English students that want to brush up their skills. If you are interested check back here at eprepz.com to get access to the beta version for free!

The Secret Weapon for the TOEFL: Notes

The fact that you are allowed to take notes during the TOEFL is not a secret but the possible impact it can have on your score is often underestimated. Note taking skills is essential for all the sections on the TOEFL, not to mention that it will be a skill you will need when you study at an English speaking school.

For example in the TOEFL listening section you are only allowed to listen to the sequence once. This is when being able to take good notes can be crucial for your TOEFL score; it’s been proven that students who are able to take organized notes get a better score.

The test center will provide you with paper to take notes on, you are allowed to request more paper if you happen to need more. However, make sure you do not clutter your paper with information, give yourself plenty of room between different sections so you can easily find the information you are looking for.

Like everything else note taking skills improve by practice. As you practice taking notes, you will develop a skill in being able to focus on key information and ignore factors that are irrelevant. By having these skills you will enable to retain important facts and data and to develop an organized way to structure your notes.

Here are some tips on how to take good notes for the TOEFL

1.  If you miss a section don’t panic, just write down a couple keywords and revisit the section when you have finished listening

2.  Do not try to write everything you hear, write down key phrases and summarize

3.  Always use your own words but make sure you do not change the meaning

4.  Develop a way you always take notes, use the same structure every time

5.  Keep it short so you can grasp the section right away. Don't try to use every space on the page

Many students underestimate the usefulness of good notes, that's why we the title of this article is "The Secret Weapon for the TOEFL: Notes". To use these tips on actual TOEFL practice tests sign up with ePrepz TOEFL prep and learn how to apply the information we have covered in today's post.