Blogs
TOEIC4Success

  • Hiring Non-Native English Speakers Can Help U.S. Businesses

    Posted by TOEIC4Success | Friday, 18 November 2011 - 9:00am |

    When I talk about TOEIC testing with businesses, many wonder why they would need such testing here in the United States. The U.S. after all is an English-language-speaking country. Isn't it?

    Maybe not to the extent you would think.

    According to the latest Immigration Outlook study from OECD, the United States is the world's top destination for permanent immigrants. By 2009, the most recent year for which census data is available, 13% of U.S. residents were foreign-born, and the percentage continues to grow.

    Especially in large, insular immigrant communities and among those who immigate as...

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    Tagged under: Employment and non-native English speakers | Tagged under: Hiring and recruitment | Tagged under: Research and statistics: English language learning

  • Japan's English Language Problem: Is Change Beginning?

    Posted by TOEIC4Success | Wednesday, 2 November 2011 - 1:15pm |

    Despite required study in English from elementary school on and the country's stature as one of the world's leading exporters, Japanese professionals continue to have on average surprisingly poor English language skills.

    One study by Japanese firm Recruit Agent cited in a recent Reuters article found that only 9 percent of over 1,100 white-collar workers surveyed claimed to be able to communicate in English at all, with most others rating themselves "Barely" able to function in speaking or...

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    Tagged under: business English | Tagged under: English language learning | Tagged under: Global business | Tagged under: Japan

  • Australia Ends IELTS Student Visa Testing Monopoly

    Posted by TOEIC4Success | Tuesday, 18 October 2011 - 11:00am |

    2011 has been quite a year so far in terms of changes in government English language testing policies. Following recent announcements by France and the United Kingdom about alterations to their policies, Australia has now announced that it is broadening the range of tests accepted for student visas.

    In the past, Australia has only accepted IELTS results. As of November 5, they will...

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    Tagged under: Visa/citizenship requirements

  • Breaking News: France's Language Requirements Changing

    Posted by TOEIC4Success | Friday, 14 October 2011 - 3:00pm |

    We've just learned that the government of France is changing its citizenship process, adding a requirement for non-native French speakers to provide results from an approved standardized test of French. The handful of tests approved include the Test de français international (TFI™), developed by ETS and distributed by AMIDEAST in the U.S. as well as the Middle...

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    Tagged under: TFI | Tagged under: Visa/citizenship requirements

  • TOEIC Tests: English and the World at Play

    Posted by TOEIC4Success | Wednesday, 5 October 2011 - 12:00pm |

    English "for business or workplace" purposes brings to mind a world of cubicles, suits, and meetings of the board. And certainly TOEIC testing is prevalent in such environments.

    However, I've been noticing a pattern in recent ETS news releases. Increasingly sporting events, cultural festivals, and other activities focused on large-scale public amusement are also using the TOEIC tests.

    And perhaps more unexpectedly, the event sponsors are using TOEIC not with employees (who as tourism professionals have likely been already tested individually at the hiring stage) but to screen potential...

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    Tagged under: Hospitality and tourism | Tagged under: TOEIC tests