TOEIC : IS IT WORTH?
The end of 2005, there was a shift in South Korea, regarded as the second biggest consumer of TOEIC per capita. TOEIC( The Test of English for International Communication) started to have a goal, " an English language test designed specifically to measure the everyday English skills of people working in an international environment". After Toeic started, companies are rushing to adopt Toeic to evaluate employees and even university did too. So, this kind of phenomenon instigate private education to get a better job, better university and better life.
Whoever prepare to get a job or student in high school and univerisity might have an experience of study Toeic. These days it is weird that have no experience of Toeic. That is, Toeic is settle down an integral part of Korean culture in business way. But is it a good way to measure one's ability only by the score of Toeic? Does Toeic have the best qualification for tight job market?
The answer might say "No". Because the combination of these factors- companies requiring Toeic, schools promoting Toeic preparation courses, and create an atmosphere of Toiec to people think that only Toeic can be an answer of employment- has led many to feel a sense of urgency to jump on the Toeic bandwagon. Robb and Ercanbrack (2003), quoting Alderson and Wall (1993), have identified for negative effects of testing; 1) a narrowing of the curriculum, 2) a decrease in instructional time, 3) a reduced emphasis on skills that require complex thinking, and 4) test score "pollution", where test scores go up without actual improvement in skills. And also, an official from the Industrial Bank of Korea(IBK) says, " TOEIC isn't an appropriate indicator of actual English skills." It makes people to raise their ability in other things, not only thinking and eager to study Toeic.
The problem is that Educators have a less responsibility to make effective curriculum design decisions for all levels of students. And practically, Toeic itself is not useful when employees get into their work. When employees strated their work, they might be use their knowledge of toeic to read business papers but when they faced up to speak Englsih with their buyer or customer, they will be struggle to speak English in business way. Also, if a person who is working in art, physical education, science...etc they are not relevant to Toeic so they will have no chance to use Toeic in their entire life. Therefore, it is really important to make an alternative way to measure one's capacity. And have to focus on developing employees executive ability, not caring about their score.
Whoever prepare to get a job or student in high school and univerisity might have an experience of study Toeic. These days it is weird that have no experience of Toeic. That is, Toeic is settle down an integral part of Korean culture in business way. But is it a good way to measure one's ability only by the score of Toeic? Does Toeic have the best qualification for tight job market?
The answer might say "No". Because the combination of these factors- companies requiring Toeic, schools promoting Toeic preparation courses, and create an atmosphere of Toiec to people think that only Toeic can be an answer of employment- has led many to feel a sense of urgency to jump on the Toeic bandwagon. Robb and Ercanbrack (2003), quoting Alderson and Wall (1993), have identified for negative effects of testing; 1) a narrowing of the curriculum, 2) a decrease in instructional time, 3) a reduced emphasis on skills that require complex thinking, and 4) test score "pollution", where test scores go up without actual improvement in skills. And also, an official from the Industrial Bank of Korea(IBK) says, " TOEIC isn't an appropriate indicator of actual English skills." It makes people to raise their ability in other things, not only thinking and eager to study Toeic.
The problem is that Educators have a less responsibility to make effective curriculum design decisions for all levels of students. And practically, Toeic itself is not useful when employees get into their work. When employees strated their work, they might be use their knowledge of toeic to read business papers but when they faced up to speak Englsih with their buyer or customer, they will be struggle to speak English in business way. Also, if a person who is working in art, physical education, science...etc they are not relevant to Toeic so they will have no chance to use Toeic in their entire life. Therefore, it is really important to make an alternative way to measure one's capacity. And have to focus on developing employees executive ability, not caring about their score.
Which brand of cafe do you prefer?
For several years, franchise cafes have extremly increased in its number of shops. Because modern people spend their most of time in the cafe by reason of meet friends,assignment, reading books or taking their own time. So today, it is not uncommon to see many brand cafes wherever we go. By this, to prevent their crush on same marketing , each cafe creates its own style and symbol of their brand. According to rapid increase in demand of brand cafe, I'm going to investigate which cafe people like and why they are going there.
I surveyed 40 people in Hongdae and most of people said take turns; from left to the right is the favorite to the least favorite: Coffee Bean, Tom And Toms, Mangosix, Hollys Coffee and Cafe bene. Starbucks is well known throughout the world and many Korean people were like this brand. But these days the popularity of Starbucks shows a falling tendency because of their price compared to their quality. The reason of this preference of cafe includes shops accessibility, price and service.
I interviewed 3 people and Go-eun Kim (26), " I like Mangosix. Mangosix's space is wide and comfortable to talk with friend and there sells ice cream. Especially there "Bubble Tea" is so amazing and its quality is really nice so I like Mangosix. And So-jin Lee (23), said " I usually visit cafe three or four times a week. There is a cafe named Droptop that talent Ji-hyun Jun is advertising. There is a menu named "Real Choco" and it is really delicious. That is really nice.The choco is real choco. Only there has this menu. It is only in there. There is a similar menu that named " Choco Slush" but it is not tasty good as "Real Choco". Also, Yea-sung Lee (24) said, "I like coffee bean. I think other brand Americano is a little bit bitter but Coffee Bean's Americano is not bitter than the other brand and their ice is grinded finely. I like purple color. This is purple. I like their lighting. And I like wood. All of their furnitures are made of woods. And I think their employees are kind.
It seems that each cafe has its own advantage and characteristics of their brand. Most of brand are differentiate on one thing from the competitions to attract and impress people. This kind of competition makes consumers to receive better service and quality of their products. Therefore, if this trend not cause excessive competition it will be a good phenomenon to both seller and buyer in terms of making a win-win situation all around.
Night life in Hong-dae 2014.05.15 by So Young Im
Hong-dae ( Hong-ik University area) is famous for its University and entertainments of their area. Especially, at night, this place will be an ideal place for people who are bored or wanting to do something . Because this place is filled with all the conditions of having fun. Such as shops, restaurants, theater etc. So, I went Hong-dae to interviewing some people how they usually spend their time in Hong-dae.
I interviewed 7 people there " What do you usually do in Hong-dae?" and most of them said that they are Hanging out with friends, Drinking or Go clubbing in Hong-dae. And for other reasons, one American student said " I usually go to language exchange." and a Korean guy said " I'm singing here. Street peformance. I'm doing activity, regular performance and some events here." and a foreigner woman said "Well, I'm actually visiting. I don't really do usually in Hongdae. But usually anywhere I go eat street food. "
There would be some more reasons to come to Hong-dae like shopping for clothes or going on dates their girlfriend/boyfriend but most of people visit here for same reason. To be warn you, if you have a plan to visit Hong-dae on national holiday, you might have to be wait in long line wherever you visit.
I interviewed 7 people there " What do you usually do in Hong-dae?" and most of them said that they are Hanging out with friends, Drinking or Go clubbing in Hong-dae. And for other reasons, one American student said " I usually go to language exchange." and a Korean guy said " I'm singing here. Street peformance. I'm doing activity, regular performance and some events here." and a foreigner woman said "Well, I'm actually visiting. I don't really do usually in Hongdae. But usually anywhere I go eat street food. "
There would be some more reasons to come to Hong-dae like shopping for clothes or going on dates their girlfriend/boyfriend but most of people visit here for same reason. To be warn you, if you have a plan to visit Hong-dae on national holiday, you might have to be wait in long line wherever you visit.
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