Event

The New TOEIC Test : Understanding and Overcoming the Challenges

Sunday, July 29th, 2007, 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Speaker: Grant Trew, sponsored by Oxford University Press

The TOEIC Test is the primary tool for assessing English proficiency in Japan and a good score has become a common prerequisite for job and academic placement and advancement. Because of its importance, TOEIC test preparation courses have become a standard part of both College/University and private language teaching curriculums.

The change to the test format in May 2006 has significant implications both for students and educators, who will need both an understanding of the changes and appropriate preparation to deal with them.

This workshop aims to clarify the changes to the test, highlight the impact and implications for both test takers and teachers and present some approaches to overcoming the problems Japanese learners are likely to face.

During this workshop the presenter will give examples of the new format and use interactive tasks to highlight some of the key challenges test takers will face. Participants will then be introduced to activities that can be used to prepare students to improve their scores. An overview of the format and implications of the new Speaking and Writing tests will also be included.

It is intended that participants will leave the workshop with a better understanding of the changes and how these are likely to affect their students and programs, and also with a stock of techniques to better deal with these changes.

Grant Trew, an expert in testing and a long-time instructor of exam technique, has recently authored the Oxford Tactics for the TOEIC Series Speaking and Writing Tests Student Book and the Official Oxford University Press Japan Teacher's Guide to the TOEIC Test. All participants will receive a free copy of the Teacher's Guide during the presentation written in the language of their choice. Participants are also welcome to fill out inspection copy request forms for a copy of the Student Book.

Organization: Iwate-Aomori Chapter of the Japan Association for Language Teaching (Iwate-Aomori JALT)

Cost: free

Venue: Aiina, 5th floor, room 501B (in International Center area)

Location: Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture, Japan

Contact Iwate-Aomori JALT

Mary Burkitt

Work phone: 019-663-3132

Jason Hill