TOEIC Introduces Four-Skills Testing

The TOEIC Listening and Reading test has been revised to reflect the latest theories related to language proficiency. Educational Testing Service will also be introducing a TOEIC Speaking and Writing test, enabling ETS Canada to offer assessments covering all four language skills.

The new TOEIC Listening and Reading test is now offered at all TOEIC Public Test Sites across Canada. Starting in January 2009, the new TOEIC test will be introduced in Canada for institutional testing (the Language School and Pre-Post Programs). In the meantime, language schools, colleges and universities will continue to use the existing test. Scores on both the new and existing tests range from 10 to 990 and are equivalent on the two tests.

TOEIC Timeline

New TOEIC Listening and Reading:  

• 2009: Institutional testing at language schools and universities (the Language School and Pre-Post Programs)
  
  More: Highlights of Listening and Reading Test Changes

TOEIC Speaking and Writing:

• January 2008: Offered at one test site in several cities across Canada
• To be announced: Institutional testing at language schools, companies and universities.
  
  More: The New Speaking and Writing Test at a Glance

Your Questions

Q: Why is TOEIC Speaking and Writing going to be optional? Wouldn't it be simpler to have one test?

A: There are two reasons for providing Speaking/Writing and Listening/Reading as separate tests. 1. Many test-takers and organizations want a short, cost-effective measure of English proficiency. For them, Listening/Reading fits the bill. 2. The two tests are administered in different ways (Listening/Reading is paper/pencil and Speaking/Writing is an Internet-based test) so it is necessary to have two separate test administrations.

Q: We offer the TOEIC test at our language school. How will this affect us?

A: ETS Canada clients administering the TOEIC test under the Language School or Pre-Post programs will continue to administer the existing TOEIC test until the fall of 2007. The existing and new TOEIC tests are equivalent and student scores will be about the same, regardless of which test your students take. Starting in 2009, language schools, universities and companies will begin administering the new TOEIC test.