Challenges and Approaches
Grant Trew
VUS TESOL CONFERENCE
18th July 2009
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International standardized tests like the
TOEIC/Cambridge ESOL are becoming
increasingly important .
They are required for university students and
company employees.
They have impact peoples lives and futures.
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Standardized tests pose real challenges for
students and teachers….
Not only in terms of language skills, but also in
the areas of background knowledge and
culture.
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In this first section of my talk, we will focus on
understanding the challenges posed by two of
the most important internationally recognized
tests:

Test of English for International
Communication (TOEIC)

The Cambridge ESOL exams
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Part 1
Understanding the Tests
Real
challenges…
Real world implications
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Overview
In this part :
 We will examine actual sections of the
Cambridge Key English Test (KET) and the
TOEIC in order to better understand the
real challenges that test takers face
 We will look specifically at what language
skills are tested and also what background
and cultural knowledge is required
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Overview
In this part :
 Finally we will compare these two testing
systems, the TOEIC (aimed at workplace
English), and the Cambridge exams
(aimed at general English)
 I aim to demonstrate that the gap between
general/workplace English is much smaller
than many believe
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 Developed
in the late 70’s specifically to
assess workplace English.
 Used by companies to set standards for
job placement, transfer and promotion
 Used increasingly by universities
 Used in over 60 countries and taken by
nearly 5 million per year
 The most commonly used form is the
Listening and Reading test
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 The
oldest internationally recognized
English testing system, dating back to
1913
 Cambridge ESOL offers an extensive
range of examinations, certificates and
diplomas
 Four skills tests (Reading, Listening,
Writing, Speaking)
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 In
2006, over 2 million people took these
examinations in over 140 countries.
 Today we are going to look at examples
from:
KET (Key English Test)
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Listening Section
July 2009 - ETS introduced a new form of
the TOEIC
The “Redesigned TOEIC” aims to make the
tasks more authentic and better reflect the
way language is used in the real world..
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W: Would you care to join us for dinner
after the board meeting?
(A) That sounds wonderful, thank you.
Students need to understand natural
language usage
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Knowledge of the test format
+
Effective Listening/Reading skills
Strategies for Parts 3 & 4
• Predict before listening
• Focus listening on the key
information
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Task:
• Pick out key words in the questions
and answer choices
• Try to predict what you will hear, e.g:
1.What is the general topic?
2.Where is it happening?
3.Who is speaking?
4.Any extra details or information?
(40 seconds)
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Key English Test (KET)
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KET Listening Part 1
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KET Listening Part 4
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KET Listening Part 5
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KET Reading Part 3
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TOEIC Reading Parts 5, 6
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KET Reading Part 2
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TOEIC Part 7: Reading Comprehension
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TOEIC Part 7: Reading Comprehension
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KET Writing Part 9
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KET Speaking Part 2
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Students need:
 Familiarity with natural English
usage
 Effective “Test taking strategies”
(knowledge of the test format
+practical reading/listening skills)
 Vocabulary
 Concentration
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Comparison and observations
 Clear similarities between both the
skills, knowledge and language
being tested and the type of tasks
 Very little distinction between
workplace and general English
 The skills/language needed to get
a high score on the test are the
same used in everyday
communication
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Part 2
Developing Practical Skills for the
TOEIC and other tests
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•Common communicative functions
•The language common to those functions
•Vocabulary
•Stock phrases
•Appropriate organization
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
Build in support for weaker
students
Interaction: Students compare
and discuss in pairs
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Provide
vocabulary
Group necessary
preparation/practice
and
phraseskey language and
reinforces
aids peer learning
 Teacher monitors and assists
 Build up to the final activity to
support weaker students
 
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Additional listening challenges:
 TOEIC listening items now include British,
Canadian and Australian accents
 TOEIC listening items feature natural
speed and rhythm
 Many students are unaware that in natural
speech the sound of words changes
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Understanding Natural English
_____________ send these packages?
 Listen
and note the words that you hear
.
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=
“Do you think you could…”
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
Students in pairs use the
questions to analyze the
situation
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A problem is introduced.
Students work together to
understand
it
and
come
up
 Provide a focus on common,
with
a
solution.
useful language

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
Build in support for weaker
students
Interaction: Students compare
and discuss in pairs
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Vocabulary
More words = More points
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How important is recording and
reviewing vocabulary?
Hermann Ebbinghaus
1850-1909
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Homework
Is
it necessary?
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Homework
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