Last test date of the year, last chance to register. If you're in the continental United States, you're within three days of the final deadline to register for the TOEIC Speaking & Writing tests on Saturday, November 26. Readers in Hawaii, you have only a bit more time to sign up for your December 3 test date. Check to see if seats are still open and register now at http://www.amideast.org/swtoeic.

Stress, intonation, and rhythm. Improve these three key pronunciation skills so listeners can pay attention to you rather to your accent. It's a much better strategy than trying to mimic American or British speakers. Use this ETS English Skills Series module.

 Unexpected advantages of hiring non-native English speakers. Read our latest blog post.

Business English Site of the Month. "We can only hope you're not here to actually add these buzzwords to your vocabulary," says The Office Life website, discussing their Ridiculous Business Jargon Dictionary. But from "above board" to "zero-sum game," you will encounter many of these terms in the workplace.

New test center in Texas.  We're pleased to announce that a new center in Houston will be opening for the March 2012 test date. Not near Houston or other TOEIC Speaking & Writing test centers? We're working to expand; check if there's a TOEFL iBT center in your community--if so, let them know that there's demand locally for business English testing as well. They can start offering TOEIC Speaking & Writing quickly and easily. Or ask your employer or school about the possibility of institutional testing.

Guinea pig director? Publishers of the Cambridge English Dictionary compile their "top twenty" favorite business English terms that include references to the animal kingdom.