Last week, the AirAsia Group, Asia's largest low-fare airline, announced that it would be requiring TOEIC test scores for all flight attendant applicants.

The company, which is based in Malaysia and serves some 400 destinations in more than 20 countries, is in agreement with many others in the industry who have been finding TOEIC tests to be the right fit for their needs.

"We have always insisted on a good standard of English," commented AirAsia People Department regional head Adzhar Ibrahim, "but now we have this global standard that ensures that the same high level is maintained throughout our countries."

Other airlines have adopted TOEIC tests for similar reasons, using them in varying ways:

• Thai Airlines has taken perhaps the closest approach to AirAsia's use of TOEIC, helping narrow down a flood of flight attendant applications (AirAsia reports receiving up to 1,000 applications per day during its open interview periods.) Our post on how Thai Airlines has improved on its past TOEIC use, making hiring more cost-effective.
   
• Air France has found TOEIC tests well-accepted by its pilots and other employees because of the tests' status as the world's most widely recognized assessments of English for the workplace. Learn more.
   
• China Southern Airlines (CSA) uses TOEIC tests with all employees because, in addition to their international recognition, TOEIC allows easy matching of score levels with needed communication skills for specific types of positions, whether the test taker is a manager or a baggage handler. A look at CSA's long-term investigation of test options.

ETS Global Division Director John Kochanski mentioned another TOEIC testing advantage in discussing the new agreement—the descriptive details provided to every test taker. He noted that "The TOEIC score report provides test takers and organizations with descriptions of strengths and weaknesses...critical for hiring, placement, and potential learning and development programs."

Whether you're hiring, placing, or helping with employee learning, you'll want to add TOEIC tests to your assessment portfolio.

 —Lia Nigro, TOEIC USA Team