Potential for Success: Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) Test Prep

Potential for Success: Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) Test Prep in Central Ohio
Daniel J. Stone
Ohio Dominican University

     In summarizing the rationale on enhancements of current services for English language learners in Central Ohio, the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) Test Prep has the potential for success in the marketplace.  This is due to demographics, desire of the people in those demographics to become proficient with English while living in the US, and support from local and global organizations.

            The TOEIC exam was first administered in Japan has been the benchmark that the Japanese adult language learner is measured with by businesses and organizations (Amideast, 2012).  More and more Japanese companies are establishing branches and subsidiaries abroad.  New Japanese university graduates are like American graduates and are facing a tough job market.  Japanese graduates see the advantage of adding an internationally recognized credential to their resumes (Japan Today, February 2013).  

            In Central Ohio, there are 158 local businesses owned by parent companies in Japan as well as two Japanese subsidiaries of local Fortune 1,000 companies (Global Columbus, (2013).  In short, there is a high concentration of Japanese expatriates with trailing spouses and children residing in Central Ohio from a demographic standpoint.  In most cases, these expatriates spend long hours at work where the management style and language is in their native tongue meaning that trailing dependents, mainly spouses, are constantly in search of meaningful structure to their day that adds value to their new surroundings.  
            While the Japanese expatriates spend most of their time in Central Ohio working in organizations as if they are still in Japan, there is interaction with Americans and the more proficient the expatriates are with English, the more effective they are going to be in leading the local workforce.  Outside of work, knowledge of English is imperative for survival purposes for example, shopping at the Whole Foods Market, meeting with their child's teacher, and obtaining a driver's license just to name a few reasons.  Therefore, the Japanese expatriate has a strong desire to improve their English.  Furthermore, the Japanese educational system has English as a compulsory course for six years.  With this being the case, there is a foundation already established in this area (JET Program, 2013).
            There is strong support from local and global organizations in the area of English language training.  From 2010 to 2012, I was the founding language school center director for a third-party vendor on the campus of Ohio Dominican University.  There were a number of expatriates with ties to The Ohio State University and other multinational corporations in the area that expressed interest in our services.  Due to the location of ODU and the proximity of the multinational corporations coupled with the possible student's inability or unwillingness to commute by car, there were only a small number of expats that partook in our services during that period.  
            In Japan, the place where most of the Japanese expatriates that are currently in Central Ohio will return unless their companies move them on to another overseas location, has strong support of English training for professionals.  Softbank, a Japanese telecommunications and Internet corporation, intends on giving cash rewards to staff who get top marks in English proficiency tests such as TOEIC. (Japan Today, March 2013)  Rakuten, a Japanese electronic commerce and Internet company, made English its language for all internal communications (Japan Times, 2012).  Furthermore, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan plans to increase the number of foreign English teachers at public schools to 10,000 from the current 4,360 by reviving the Japan English Teaching program (Japan Today, April 2013.)  As a JET alum from 2004-07, it will be interesting to see if this revival will focus on public schools or expand to private sectors.  

            In conclusion, TOEIC Test Prep courses should be offered in Ohio.  These courses can be supplemented with English for Specific Purposes to enhance the learning experience that has a direct correlation to improving one's life at work or at home while residing in Central Ohio.  By offering TOEIC Test Prep and its supplement, the vastly untapped market of International Business Professionals residing in Central Ohio will find meaning in an educational program and be able to participate due to the program being offered during the evening and weekend hours. 

References

America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc., (2012).  TOEIC: Why It's Bigger than Ever in Japan.  http://www.amideast.org/blogs/toeic4success/2012/04/toeic-why-its-bigger-ever-japan 

Global Columbus, (2013).  Positioning Greater Columbus to Thrive in a Global Society.                   http://globalcolumbus.org/ 

Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, (2013).  Roles of the Ministries, Contracting         Organizations, and CLAIR.  http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JET/roles.html 

Japan Times, (2012).  Rakuten’s English drive.               http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2012/07/08/editorials/rakutens-english-drive/#.UYwOEkbD_IU
 

Japan Today, (February 2013).  Required or not, English knowledge no guarantee of success.               http://www.japantoday.com/smartphone/view/kuchikomi/required-or-not-english- knowledge-no-guarantee-of-success 

Japan Today, (March 2013).  Softbank offers cash incentive to employees who score high in         TOEIC.  http://www.japantoday.com/category/careers/view/softbank-offers-cash-incentive-to-employees-who-score-high-in-toeic 

Japan Today, (April 2013.)  Gov't plans to increase number of foreign English teachers to              10,000.  http://www.japantoday.com/category/careers/view/govt-plans-to-increase- number-of- foreign-english-teachers-to-10000/comments/popular/id/321

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