| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Derrek
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
|
 Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 12:47 am Post subject: TOEIC test given to Korean English teachers / dismal results |
 |
|
Does anyone have a link to the article about the dismal scores posted by 30 (or possibly as many as 70) Korean English teachers who took the TOEIC test recently? They were given the test by some Seoul educational board or something.
I guess it's all over the Korean news. According to my friend, the scores averaged around 700, with many scores near 500 and as low as 200. The scores are absolutely dismal.
My students want to get over 920 to have a chance to early-entrance into a good university.
Sorry I don't have any other details. Can anyone add more information?
Thanks! |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
the saint
Joined: 09 Dec 2003
Location: not there yet...
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 2:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Are we going to mention the fact that the TOIEC test is not, by any correct definition of a test, an English proficiency test? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
denverdeath
Joined: 21 May 2005
Location: Boo-sahn
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
denverdeath
Joined: 21 May 2005
Location: Boo-sahn
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 2:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
Even though the article's writer probably needs to brush up on his/her own skills, I liked this bit:
| Quote: |
| On a recent TV show, a high school English teacher even greeted his own student with ��nice to meet you.�� |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
denverdeath
Joined: 21 May 2005
Location: Boo-sahn
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 2:11 am Post subject: |
|
|
This too:
| Quote: |
| Still, the Korean people��s English proficiency is at the bottom of 12 Asian nations, even behind Japan. |
As you know, Koreans' English ability is FAR better than the Japanese.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Freezer Burn
Joined: 11 Apr 2005
Location: Busan
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 2:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Is it only the states that use TOIEC, I know that the UK, Australia and New Zealand use IELTS |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
denverdeath
Joined: 21 May 2005
Location: Boo-sahn
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 2:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
From http://www.studyabroadtimes.com/en/exams.htm#toeic :
| Quote: |
The Test of English for International Communication
Who should take this exam?
Students wanting to study in English-speaking countries, especially North America
General description:
The TOEIC test is the world's most recognized English language test; more than 1.7 million people took the test last year.
It is used by corporations and government agencies to assess the English ability of their employees. Language schools and universities also use the TOEIC test for placement in English classes. |
Another site said:
| Quote: |
Who uses the TOEIC and how is it used?
Employers use the TOEIC test as a management tool for
Selecting, promoting, and evaluating employees
Determining which individuals have the language proficiency for training in English or overseas assignments
Identifying which employees need additional English language training
English language training programs use the TOEIC test for
Placing students into appropriate classes
Demonstrating progress made by students in their program
Evaluating overall program effectiveness
Universities and other institutions of higher education, particularly engineering and business schools, use the TOEIC test for
Assessing students for internships or other opportunities demanding English language proficiency
Ensuring that graduates possess sufficient English language ability to participate effectively in the workforce |
No real concrete answers though. I think most universities in Canada will more often require either the TOEFL or IELTS over the TOEIC. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
FUBAR
Joined: 21 Oct 2003
Location: The Y.C.
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 3:05 am Post subject: |
|
|
| That's not hard to believe at all. Of the 4 Korean English teachers at my school, only one of the teachers can understand me on the first try. The other ones are just pitiful. To think that one of them has his PhD. It's an absolute joke. I had to edit this script of his the other day. I really don't think he would get an A in a university level English course if he had to do it on his own. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Zyzyfer
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 3:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Freezer Burn wrote: |
| Is it only the states that use TOIEC, I know that the UK, Australia and New Zealand use IELTS |
To my knowledge, TOEIC is work-related and TOEFL is study-related. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ajuma
Joined: 18 Feb 2003
Location: Anywere but Seoul!!
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 10:14 am Post subject: |
|
|
[/quote]To my knowledge, TOEIC is work-related and TOEFL is study-related.[/quote]
"Work-related" only in relatation to the Korean job market. The higher your score, the better your job.
TOEIC is a test of how well you know grammar and how well you know how the test-makers think. It has almost NOTHING to do with "real world" English!
Why oh why doesn't Korea adopt the European system of FCE/PET/KET where reading, writing, speaking and listening are ALL important?????? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
the saint
Joined: 09 Dec 2003
Location: not there yet...
|
| Posted: Fri Jul 08, 2005 9:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| denverdeath wrote: |
This too:
| Quote: |
| Still, the Korean people��s English proficiency is at the bottom of 12 Asian nations, even behind Japan. |
As you know, Koreans' English ability is FAR better than the Japanese. |
exactly... the stat is just plain wrong in my experience of living in both countries. Korean people, especially those in their 20s or 30s have actually got better all round proficiency than Japanese IMHO. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
junkmail
Joined: 08 Jan 2005
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 3:48 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Freezer Burn wrote: |
| Is it only the states that use TOIEC, I know that the UK, Australia and New Zealand use IELTS |
You're confusing TOEIC with TOEFL methinks. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
joe_doufu
Joined: 09 May 2005
Location: Elsewhere
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 4:23 am Post subject: |
|
|
My favorite quote from that article was this:
| Quote: |
| the teachers were participating in the education ministry��s English training course provided for ��excellent�� teachers with teaching careers of three years or more |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Gollum
Joined: 04 Sep 2003
Location: Japan
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 6:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
| joe_doufu wrote: |
My favorite quote from that article was this:
| Quote: |
| the teachers were participating in the education ministry��s English training course provided for ��excellent�� teachers with teaching careers of three years or more |
|
Gosh, so what would the less-than-excellent people score?? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
joe_doufu
Joined: 09 May 2005
Location: Elsewhere
|
| Posted: Sat Jul 09, 2005 6:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Gollum wrote: |
| joe_doufu wrote: |
My favorite quote from that article was this:
| Quote: |
| the teachers were participating in the education ministry��s English training course provided for ��excellent�� teachers with teaching careers of three years or more |
|
Gosh, so what would the less-than-excellent people score?? |
My reaction was a little different. I was wondering, in what kind of a system are "excellent" teachers defined as teachers who've worked for three years? Seniority is not a strong indicator of excellence, and, if you did choose to judge by seniority, doesn't this country have any teachers who've been working for slightly longer than three years?
Maybe the English business sucks just as bad for the K-teachers as it does for us? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
