TOEFL eNews Update AU

			April 2012

2012 is turning out to be a busy year for the TOEFL® programme. Some of our recent news includes security threat prevention, hosting free seminars in Australia, and providing new resources to make your job easier.

ETS takes security seriously and is vigilant in preventing and detecting fraud. ETS and the Hong Kong authorities worked together to apprehend three men in a scheme to impersonate test takers at a TOEFL test administration.

The TOEFL programme is conducting two free workshops in Australia: item writing workshop and Propell® Workshop for the TOEFL iBT® test. Be sure to register early as seats are first come, first served.

You can also check out the new resources available including the Inside the TOEFL® Test video for the independent writing task and the mobile score comparison tool. These resources are designed to help make your job easier.

We hope you'll find these stories interesting and informative — and we welcome any feedback.

Sincerely,

Helen Cook
TOEFL Client Relations, Associate Director – Australasia
hcook@etsglobal.org

TOP NEWS

Three TOEFL® Imposters Arrested in Hong Kong

Recently, the authorities in Hong Kong assisted ETS in taking action against three individuals who were attempting to take the test on behalf of others during the 25 February TOEFL® test administration. Through the work of ETS's Office of Testing Integrity, we were able to identify these individuals in advance of the administration and worked very closely with the authorities to help apprehend those arrested. Test integrity has become a common topic within the academic community. Although such incidents are rare, ETS takes test security extremely seriously and executes a three-pronged approach that includes prevention, detection and communication to ensure secure and fair testing worldwide.

TOEFL® Programme Seeks Test Item Writers

The TOEFL® programme is seeking qualified English-language professionals in Australia to be item writers for the TOEFL iBT® test. Interested candidates can attend a seminar in Sydney on Saturday, 12 May, 2012 led by TOEFL test developer Emilie Pooler about creating Speaking items for the TOEFL iBT test. The seminar will focus on how test items are designed, reviewed, pilot tested and finally included in a test. Participants will also practice writing test items. Compensation will be provided for any useable material produced during the training session. To register for this event, please contact hcook@etsglobal.org.

NEWS

Prepare Your Students for Success with a Free Propell® Workshop

ETS expert Emilie Pooler is conducting two Propell® Workshops for the TOEFL iBT® test in Australia. The four-hour workshop offers instructional techniques and strategies, using an integrated-skills approach to teaching English-language learners. It is led in an interactive, hands-on approach to developing a TOEFL iBT curriculum with scoring explanations, learning strategies, activity books, a complete practice test, CD-ROM and more. The Propell workshops will be held in Melbourne on Tuesday, 8 May, 2012 and in Sydney on Wednesday, 9 May, 2012. To register contact hcook@etsglobal.org. Seats are limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

English Australia/ETS TOEFL® Award for Innovation in ELICOS

The English Australia/ETS TOEFL® Award for Innovation in English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) is now accepting nominations. The award aims to showcase organisations within the ELICOS industry that support their staff in demonstrating original and creative problem-solving initiatives, in response to the challenges faced within the ELICOS sector.

ETS signs Deed of Agreement with Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)

ETS entered into a Deed of Agreement with DIAC, following the announcement that TOEFL® test results would be accepted by DIAC for student visa purposes, commencing on 5 November 2011. The purpose of the Deed of Agreement is to allow DIAC staff to verify TOEFL scores via the ETS score verification system.

ETS Reports the Largest Number of Chinese TOEFL® Test Takers in History

In February, ETS announced a 19 percent increase in the number of Chinese TOEFL iBT® test takers for 2011. This represents the largest number of Chinese TOEFL® test takers in history.

The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship's (DIAC) acceptance of the TOEFL test in 2011 for student visas breaks the monopoly that IELTS® once held, providing Chinese students a choice in English-language assessments for study in Australia. The decision by DIAC will likely further increase the number of Chinese students taking the TOEFL test in 2012.

RESOURCES

Comparing TOEFL® Test Scores to IELTS® Scores Just Got Easier

In 2011, ETS created a research-based score comparison tool to make it easier for you to compare TOEFL iBT® scores to the IELTS® academic module. To help you make the best admissions decisions for your institution even faster, ETS has released a mobile version of this great score comparison tool.

Visit the TOEFL® Programme at Upcoming Events

The TOEFL® programme will be attending conferences all over the world. Be sure to stop by our booths, speak to a representative and get information on the latest TOEFL developments.

In This Issue

Top News
News
Research
Resources

Valuable Sites

TOEFL Website
TOEFL Go Anywhere
Download Library
Scores
Destinations Directory (PDF)
Contact Us

Feature of the Month

Inside the TOEFL® Test Videos

Inside the TOEFL® Test is a series of five videos providing an in-depth review of the Writing and Speaking sections of the TOEFL iBT® test. Our video for this month features the independent writing question. This task asks the test taker to write a response to a general issue based on the test taker's knowledge and experience. The issue is preceded by a question asking "Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?" Test takers are asked to use specific reasons to support their answers. For a closer look, watch the video now.

Upcoming TOEFL® Test Dates

Below are the upcoming test dates and cities for Australia. Please note that not all test centres participate on every testing date.

Adelaide, SA
Sat., Apr 28, 2012
Sat., May 26, 2012

Archerfield, Qld
Sat., Apr 14, 2012
Sat., Apr 28, 2012
Sat., May 12, 2012
Sat., May 26, 2012

Brisbane, Qld
Sat., Apr 14, 2012
Sat., May 12, 2012

Canning Vale (Perth), WA
Sat., Apr 14, 2012
Sat., Apr 28, 2012
Sat., May 12, 2012
Sat., May 26, 2012

Gold Coast, Qld
Sat., Apr 28, 2012
Sat., May 26, 2012

Highett, Vic
Sat., Apr 14, 2012
Sat., Apr 28, 2012
Sat., May 12, 2012
Sat., May 26, 2012

Kensington, NSW
Sat., Apr 28, 2012
Sun., May 20, 2012

Lismore, NSW
Sat., Apr 28, 2012

Maroochydore, Qld
Sat., Apr 14, 2012
Sat., Apr 28, 2012
Sat., May 12, 2012
Sat., May 26, 2012

Melbourne, Vic
Sat., Apr 14, 2012
Sun., Apr 22, 2012
Sat., Apr 28, 2012
Sat., May 12, 2012
Sun., May 20, 2012
Sat., May 26, 2012

Parafield, SA
Sat., Apr 14, 2012
Sat., Apr 28, 2012
Sat., May 12, 2012
Sat., May 26, 2012

Perth, WA
Sat., Apr 14, 2012
Sat., Apr 28, 2012
Sat., May 12, 2012
Sat., May 26, 2012

South Melbourne, Vic
Sat., May 12, 2012
Sun., May 20, 2012

Sydney, NSW
Sat., Apr 14, 2012
Sun., Apr 22, 2012
Sat., Apr 28, 2012
Sat., May 12, 2012
Sun., May 20, 2012
Sat., May 26, 2012

Werribee, Vic
Sat., Apr 14, 2012
Sat., Apr 28, 2012
Sat., May 12, 2012
Sat., May 26, 2012

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