因地制宜提供优质托福考试服务(64004)-英语教育-(215)-21英语网

本文作者：王昕

. As the TOEFL brand director of Educational Testing Service (ETS), what is your major duties and responsibilities?

My role as the TOEFL brand director is to ensure that all students around the world are aware of the TOEFL test. For example, ETS has launched the “TOEFL Passport” outreach campaign to help students around the world realize the TOEFL test is the most widely accepted English language assessment recognized by more than 7,500 institutions in more than 130 countries including the UK, Canada and the US.

I like to have students think about the TOEFL test not only as an assessment, but also as a tool to help them achieve their educational aspirations. In China, we learned that getting access to the various test prep materials is critical for students. In order to help Chinese students meet their goals, we developed the TOEFL Go Anywhere Website (www.TOEFLgoanywhere.org/cn) designed specifically for Chinese test takers. The website offers free sample test questions, study tips, and a calendar to assist students effectively in planning for the TOEFL test. As a TOEFL test taker myself, I remember how helpful the study resources were in effectively preparing for the assessment and therefore want to make sure students know how to access the free test prep materials to help them meet success.

Another major focus of my role is to reach out and engage TOEFL test takers in ongoing dialogue to ensure we continue to meet their needs.

I recently have traveled from ETS’s headquarters in Princeton, NJ, USA to hear from TOEFL test takers. In speaking with test takers, I learned that students sometimes get anxious before taking a test, such as the TOEFL test, and therefore we recently developed a 6-minute-long “TOEFL Test Taker” video to help students better understand and become more familiar with the testing process.

Finally, I am also responsible for communicating with the more than 7,500 colleges and universities around the world that accept the TOEFL test. It is my duty to ensure that they are aware of the latest TOEFL research and program information to assist them with their admissions decisions.

2. Currently the dominant language tests for going abroad are TOEFL and IELTS. In addition, Pearson Education has developed PTE test. In such intense competition, what advantages, do you think, TOEFL has and challenges TOEFL is facing?

Competition in any industry ultimately benefits the end users of a product. In the English language learning field, the end users are students. For more than forty-five years, the TOEFL test has helped millions of students around the world meet success in demonstrating English language proficiency.

The TOEFL test is the most widely accepted English language assessment worldwide. It is accepted at more than 7,500 institutions around the world, including the Russell Group (UK), the Group of Eight (Australia), and the top U.S. institutions cited in the 2011 US News &World Report “Best Colleges” edition (U.S.). In addition, the TOEFL test is the most preferred assessment by US admissions officers based on a recent survey.

Because of the wide acceptance of the TOEFL test around the world, students only need to take one English language assessment as it is accepted universally. I remember when I was applying to schools abroad, the application process was a time consuming period, but only having to take one English language assessment, being the TOEFL test, helped greatly. The TOEFL test was accepted at all of the institutions I applied too.

In addition, the TOEFL test is also the most widely accessible English language assessment with more than 4,500 testing sites for students to take the test in 165 countries. I am very proud that more students have taken the TOEFL test than any other English language assessment. To date, more than 25 million students have taken the test and the number of test takers continues to rise.

3. To what extent is TOEFL accepted by Chinese candidates? Which prominent characteristics are shown from the overall examination performance of Chinese candidates?

Chinese test takers have always been a focus for the TOEFL brand. In China, the number of TOEFL test takers is increasing steadily. From 2008 to 2009, there was a 30% increase in the number of Chinese test takers, and the number of test takers continues to increase. There are 190 testing sites in China and 59 in Beijing.

We know that Chinese test takers typically plan ahead and provide ample preparation time before the test. Knowing these characteristics of Chinese students, ETS provides various test prep materials, including sample tests questions that can be accessed through the Official Guide to the TOEFL test, the TOEFL Go Anywhere Website, or the TOEFL Practice Online. Chinese students also like to learn best practices and study tips from friends that have taken the test. That is the reason why the TOEFL Go Anywhere Websites features study group videos sharing study tips for each section of the test.

4. As the first Chinese appointed as the TOEFL brand director of ETS, which goals have you set for TOEFL development in China?

In this role, I have three major priorities:

I. Ensure that Chinese students are aware no matter which country they want to pursue their academic studies in, such as the UK, Canada, or the US, they can meet their goals through the TOEFL test.

As I mentioned, we recently launched the TOEFL Passport campaign to promote that the TOEFL test is the most widely accepted English language assessment worldwide.

II. Develop specific outreach strategies that meet the needs of Chinese test takers. For example, we learned that Chinese students would like to receive their test scores sooner. In meeting this need, we are pleased to now offer online test scores in two weeks, reducing the score turnaround time by one week.

III. Encourage students to view the TOEFL test as more than an assessment, but rather as a tool to help them achieve success. For example, we launched the ETS Scholarship Program for TOEFL test takers last year in China and are excited to share that we will once again offer the Chinese scholarship program in 2011. More information regarding the 2011 ETS Scholarship Program will be announced later this month.

5. In your opinion, what is the future of the development of China’s overseas study English assessment market?

It’s an exciting time for English language learners around the world. Through the use of technology, students can connect with one another and help each other master the English language. The TOEFL Go Anywhere Website(www.TOEFLgoanywhere.org/cn), available in Chinese, uniquely developed for Chinese students, offers fun and engaging ways to study for the TOEFL test.

Another example of a resource to help students is Lexile Measures. Lexile measures, created by MetaMetrics, assign a student a score based on their TOEFL iBT Reading score. The resource helps English language learners of all ages strengthen their reading skills by connecting them with reading materials that provide the right level of challenge for their abilities and goals. More information is available at: www.lexile.com/toefl.