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ETS to adjust TOEFL fees in S. Korea

韩国:托福考试费用将于年底调整

EDUCATIONAL Testing Service (ETS) has launched a public relations blitz aimed at South Korea to counter growing criticism of the quality of its tests and the efficiency of its organization. ETS invited correspondents from South Korea to its headquarters in Princeton to explain current issues such as test fees and interpretation of test scores. Scott Nelson, ETS vice president for marketing, said they are planning to adjust TOEFL fees in South Korea, which are $170, or $20 more than in the US. The result will be out by the end of this year. Nelson said the adjustment would be based on the currency values.

Millions of Americans lack literacy skills

美国:报告显示三千万人存在读写困难

ABOUT 30 million Americans – 14 percent of the US population aged 16 and older – have trouble with basic reading and writing. Causative factors that were explored in a new government report include poverty, ethnicity, native language background and disabilities. Of these 30 million people, seven million are considered “nonliterate” because their reading abilities are very low. In the coming months, the US Congress is expected to retool and reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act, which includes a section to help fund adult literacy and basic education programs.

English UK hits 400 member mark

英国:经认证英语学习中心数量增加

ENGLISH UK, Britain’s national association of accredited English language centers, announced that it had achieved its 2009 target of exceeding 400 members. Membership is now 402. The 400th member is English for Everyone, a language center based in Aberdeen, Scotland. Tony Millns, chief executive of English UK, said: “English UK is accepted by UK government departments as the representative body for the accredited English language teaching sector. The recent growth in membership consolidates that position.”