Challenge

The Saxony University of Cooperative Education (part of the State Study Academy) is a tertiary educational establishment. During three years of studies that integrate practical experience, it prepares students for a professional career by imparting and applying scientific methods.

The globalisation of the economy has led to an increased demand for English language skills in future managers of companies and institutions. Above all, there is a need for a reliable way to measure these knowledge and skills. The specialist English courses held at the University of Cooperative Education support the achievement of these goals.

Solution

To make it possible for students at the Study Academy in Riesa to benefit from an internationally recognised qualification, the educational establishment decided to become a TOEIC^® test centre. Alternating theoretical and practical phases at the institution restricted the flexibility of timetables. The TOEIC test with its flexibility of administration, was the perfect solution.

At the beginning of the course, students are familiarised with the TOEIC test, its contents and framework. Through language lessons and self-study, the students equip themselves with English language skills, as well as prepare to take the test. The students are encouraged to practise a lot so that they can achieve a minimum target of 650 points. Normally, the test is carried out in the 4th semester (towards the end of the English programme). Taking the test is recognised as part of the final examination in the subject of English language. For this purpose, a formula has been developed that converts the TOEIC score into comparable final marks in other subjects.

Results

The State Study Academy has seen an increase in the number of students taking the test. For the students, an important consideration in taking the test is the recognition of their performance during the final examination. At first, only the students with the best initial marks took the test; in subsequent years up to 75% of the students sat the test. The candidates are thus offered the opportunity to enhance their access to a professional career after university with an internationally recognised certificate. Overall, both the marks achieved, and the increased demand for the international TOEIC test, show a positive and strong trend. Golden certificates underline the success of language training at the State Study Academy in Riesa.

Other academic programmes that use the TOEIC test:

University of Applied Sciences, Nurnberg, Germany

Budapest School of Communication, Hungary

ESC Groupe Chambery, France

Commission des Titres des Ingenieurs, France

University of Toronto, Canada

Kolej Damansara Utama, Malaysia