Korean Job Discussion Forums

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

On the radio this morning...The DJ announced that starting September 2005...the written protion of the TEFL/TOIC..grammar...will be eliminated. The tests will now consist of speaking and listening skills and those taking the test will have to exhibit a high degree of English speaking skills to pass. They predicted that most will have a difficult time passing!
I think...it's long overdue! If koreans are to compete, adapt, etc. in the world...they need to speak a common language that is used and that just happens to be English.
Yet...hakwons will still want teachers to teach grammar I am sure! Forget conversation skills?

Mashimaro · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Location: location, location

amen. how long before koreans find another standard test with no speaking to avoid their morbid fear of verbalisation?? Smile

Zyzyfer

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

And if they simply learned English thet'd simply pass the test.

But they want to learn selected aspects of it. Backfiring strategies abound.

hellofaniceguy · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Location: On your computer screen!

Even though I heard it on the radio...the changes...has anyone else heard it?
If so...does anyone have a link or "proof" of the changes? Any written proof as to the pending changes?
A few school owners I talked with have not heard anything about it they told me!

sadsac · Joined: 22 Dec 2003 Location: Gwangwang

It actually came into effect on July 1st and they 12 months in which to implement the change. Speech is now a major requirement of these tests and many Koreans are #$@! a brick over the change. Smile

Manner of Speaking · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

I think it's great. I spent the past 6 years teaching conversational English to adults, and the past year teaching preparation for the TSE (Test of Spoken English).

We're in the moneyyyy.... Laughing

Zyzyfer · Posted: Fri Oct 15, 2004 5:48 am Post subject:

ajuma · Joined: 18 Feb 2003 Location: Anywere but Seoul!!

I wish Korea would adopt the European model for exams. They have different levels with 5 components (reading, writing, listening, speaking and usage). Students have to pass one level before they can take the next level. It isn't about numbers, it's about ability!

Manner of Speaking · Joined: 09 Jan 2003

JaphieR · Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Location: Bundang

That might render the korean teachers at my school useless. I've had a single student in one class for the past three months and I've ignored the awful text book (Open house 4) and just focused on talking with him. Kudos for me.