Two Weeks until the TOEIC TEST for Junior & Seniors!
Yes, it is that time of the year again! The TOEIC Test for juniors and seniors is just around the corner. Three cheers everyone, hip, hip, hooray, hip, hip, hooray………………Ok, maybe not. But I am sure we are all preparing as we should be!
Date: Sunday, June 25 (Junior & Seniors)
Time & Place: * Check the time of the test and the test centre
On Sunday, June 25, all juniors and seniors will be taking the TOEIC test. So, with that in mind, I am going to write about the TOEIC test and answer a number of questions regarding the TOEIC Test?
Why do we need to take the TOEIC test?
The TOEIC test is a test which doesn’t affect your grades and that means there really is no pressure on you! That of course is a good thing. However, the TOEIC test does serve a different purpose. The TOEIC test has become the test of English that the business world in Japan uses to measure their employee’s English ability. And with 40% of EAGL students going on to work in the Airline industry, Finance industry, Tourism Industry and Education-all industries which can require a high level of English skill, we can see why getting a good TOEIC score is important!
What TOEIC Score are we aiming for?
Well, as you know, in our department we expect students to be achieving a score of at least 730 by the time they graduate. Of course, many students go on to achieve higher scores than 730. Remember the EAGL motto, ‘Aim High, Fly High’.
What scores do companies want their employees to achieve?
Of course, we are all aware of companies such as Fast retailing, Shiseido, Honda and Rakuten, and their drive to promote English as official or semi-official company languages. This means that these companies have recognized the importance of English as a global language in the Japanese workplace. Although Japanese companies, these companies have an overseas presence and therefore, conduct meetings in English with employees from overseas and send emails in English as well. Shiseido, the cosmetics maker, has set a target of 730 for its employees. Fast Retailing looks for over 700, as does Mitsubishi Denki and Yamato Transport. While Sagawa global Logistics looks for over 650(English innovations.com). The average score at Rakuten in 2017 was over 830 and this score has grown from an average of 526 in 2010. (asia.nikkei.com)
What about small and medium sized companies?
What should I be doing to prepare for the TOEIC?
This is a good question! You should be doing the practice exercises on Google Classroom. As you know, each year has their own TOEIC GOOGLE CLASSROOM PAGE with practice questions. You should be practicing these questions as they will help you improve your TOEIC scores. We still have 2 weeks left until the TOEIC test, so get onto GOOGLE CLASSROOM and practice, practice, practice! And just to remind you, here are some pictures of the Junior and Senior TOEIC GOOGLE CLASSROOM pages!
Do you have any Test-taking tips for the TOEIC Test?
Yes, here are some Test-taking Tips for the Test on Sunday.
Reading Section:
- Remember time is important! So, don’t spend too much time on one question.
- Read each question.
- For the Reading Comprehension question, read the questions first and then try to find the answer. Underline content words.
- Answer ALL questions. (If you don’t know the answer, guess and move on)
Listening Section:
- Focus! The speakers speak quickly so focus from the start.
- Look at pictures and try to predict what the questions will be.
- Read the questions and answer choices quickly before you listen – find the content words.
- Answer ALL questions. (If you don’t know the answer, guess and move on)