Speakers
Description
The TOEIC test is the preeminent standard for English proficiency at many universities in Japan. Even with the significance this holds for university students, teachers often struggle keeping learners engaged in TOEIC classes. This session covers some insights on learner motivation and offers a holistic approach to teaching the TOEIC test. Based on this approach, participants will learn four activities to help keep students engaged and motivated in their TOEIC lessons.
Abstract section 2: Contribution/research questions
To explain the four strands approach to learning and demonstrate how to incorporate that approach along with research based motivational guidelines to implement engaging TOEIC activities.
Abstract section 1: Relevance
Although the TOEIC test focuses on listening and reading, Nation and Macalister (2010) state that a language course ought to incorporate an approximately even distribution of meaning-focused input, linguistic-focused study, meaning-focused output, and fluency exercises. With this in mind, TOEIC lessons need not be limited to reading and listening activities. Furthermore, to bolster student engagement in the classroom, teachers should provide diverse materials and activities, offer clear explanations and formative feedback, and carry-out both group and pair-work activities (Kikuchi, 2015).
Abstract section 5: References
Kikuchi, K. (2015). Motivational strategies and demotivation. In Demotivation in second language acquisition: Insights from Japan (pp. 112-118). Multilingual Matters.
Nation, I.S.P. and Macalister, J. (2010). Language curriculum design. Routeledge.
Abstract section 4: Outcomes/results
Participants will learn how to think of the TOEIC test from a holistic perspective and will also learn some heuristics of motivation based on recent research. They will learn four practical activities that they can implement in the class with each activity representing one of the four skills of language learning: reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
Abstract section 3: Content/method
We will show the participants an approach to the TOEIC classroom that utilizes Nations’s four strands. We will further present a framework for classroom motivation based on Kikuchi’s guidelines with an emphasis on group work, modeling, and constructive feedback. This will all tie into the presentation of four activities for the TOEIC classes.
| Title | Skills Based Interactive Activities for the TOEIC Test |
|---|---|
| Teaching Context | College and university education |