To be continued....(TOEFL complaint)
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B. Suggestions
1. Speaking Section
1.1 Separate Speaking section
In the current format, we feel that at least test takers should have been able to listen to their voices after finishing recording. This would allow them to make sure that their speech is recorded properly (while others are shouting at the same time) but it is not likely that this practice is going to happen. Therefore, we suggest ETS entirely change the format and separate the Speaking section.
During the Speaking section, it is impossible to maintain a quiet environment. We suggest that ETS separate the Speaking test to another room and that test takers should be taken to this section at a different time. Test takers should have their own individual room.
In addition, the Speaking section was arranged to be the third part of TOEFL iBT after the Reading and Listening section. It sometimes takes up to three to six hours starting from checking in process to the end of the Listening section. For example, if the test starts at 9 a.m., test takers are required to check in at 8:30 a.m. They may finish the second part of listening section at or after 12 p.m. They will have a chance to break for 10 minutes before doing the Speaking for about 20 minutes and writing section about an hour. By this time, test takers are very tired from using their eyes to read several passages and their source of energy in their body has been used up. They will feel hungry. Therefore, they should be able to have lunch and take a rest before doing the rest of the test.
It seems that the Speaking section is a real problem of the TOEFL iBT. If ETS cannot separate the Speaking section to a different day or continue the Speaking section after at least 1 hour break, and if ETS cannot provide quiet environment for test takers, the TOEFL iBT should not include the Speaking section at all.
1.2 Face to Face Interview in the Speaking Section
According to information given above, we do not think that the current format of the Speaking section is good enough to measure the speaking ability of test takers. It is too mechanical. Test takers are required to speak at a certain time and finish at a certain time. We are not robots. The test is base on recorded questions and answers. There is no face-to face interaction. In the real world, 60% of communication is non-verbal. (Facial expressions, reading lips, and body language) There is no chance to clarify the meaning of the question and no chance to judge the effectiveness of our speech through the immediate feedback one gets in a real conversation.
2. Separate Writing Section
Since the Writing section is at the last part of the test, it is also as active an activity as the Speaking section, which requires test takers to think clearly and concentrate on writing a good essay. The first part of writing is the integrated task which requires test takers to listen to the passage. It is difficult to hear the passage when others are speaking. We suggest that ETS separate the Writing section to a separate room. The typing activity is quite annoying because of the noises of keyboards. The required space for each test taker should be far enough at least two meters so that test takers will not be disturbed by one another. Some test centers currently set test tables close to each other. The noises of keyboards are annoying, making it hard for test takers to perform well.
3. Experience the TOEFL iBT
To help your office understand our situations and problems, we would like your office to experience the TOEFL iBT. We can have our representatives help you to prepare for this test for 4-5 hours and some of your representatives can take this test. Then, we are willing to show you how to register and take the test in 4-5 hours. This will help you to profoundly understand our frustration.
Conclusion
ETS has not been responsive to our request to provide a good testing environment and meaningful scoring system. Therefore, we appreciate any assistance you can give to help ETS understand the importance of our request and justified indignation.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read about our concern. We will appreciate any effort and want to see an improvement. We are looking forward to hearing from your office. We hope that we can work together to resolve these issues. If your office has any further inquiry, we are willing to have our representative talking with you.
Sincerely,
Your signature
Ms./Ms. (Your name)
Enclosure: TOEFL iBT Score Reports, Description of TOEFL iBT test center problem
Cc: FPGEC, Competency Assessment Director (NABP)
References
1. Educational Testing Service (2004), Converting Rubric Scores to Scaled Scores, Writing and Speaking Sections of the New TOEFL iBT Test. Available at:
http://www.ets.org/Media/Tests/TOEFL...ing_Rubric.pdf Accessed June 1, 2007
2. Educational Testing Service (2007), the official guide to the new TOEFL iBT, p.233, p. 227, p. 247, p. 350, p.233-241. New York: McGraw-Hill
3. Educational Testing Service (2007), TOEFLŪ Test and Score Data Summary for TOEFL Internet-Based Test: September 2005-December 2006 Test Data, p. 9-10. Available at:
http://www.ets.org/Media/Research/pd...M-0506-iBT.pdf Accessed June 1, 2007.
4. Inside, Higher Ed, Access also a Problem for TOEFL Candidates, April, 2007, Available at:
ETS Aborts New GRE :: Inside Higher Ed :: Higher Education's Source for News, and Views and Jobs Accessed June 5, 2007.
5. Wikipedia, TOEFL Criticism, May 30, 2007. Available at:
TOEFL - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Accessed June 1, 2007.