TOEIC on the Rise!!

Look at this: http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20120414-00000417-yom-soci

Apparently the TOEIC test is rapidly gaining popularity, while the Eiken is in steady decline. Interesting. My first thought was, "Great! People are studying English. People care about English."

But does more people taking TOEIC mean more people interested in English? Are or they just trying to get promotions? Is it just more bosses insisting on high TOEIC test results? I know of several managers who encourage their subordinates to take the TOEIC. A high TOEIC score means a higher salary. More money. More opportunities. But does it mean higher English skill?

Before you accuse me of TOEIC bashing, I will say that the test has good vocabulary and grammar questions. It's great for those who want to do business abroad- people who are already good at English and want to focus more on the business aspect of the language. But a high score does not mean high English skill. It says nothing about speaking. It says nothing about everyday communication ability. Or understanding a native speaker. The TOEIC totally ignores these important skills. (At least the Eiken has an interview where speaking is required.) People who study TOEIC are often focused on published-in-Japan "TOEIC 900 in 10 Days!!" type of books filled with vocabulary lists and business articles. Do they actually remember the stuff that they study? Or is it so boring and tedious that they forget it immediately after getting that high score?

Now check these sentences:

※Notice.
This page will be transit to Rakuten Auction.
We are sorry that you can not buy it on this page.
If you want buy or bit it, You can do it on Rakuten Auction.

This is from the Rakuten website. A company that is known for having workers use English. It is full of mistakes. It makes no sense. Doesn't someone who works for Rakuten speak English? Why does this look like it was put through Google translate? It's embarrassing.

As for TOEIC, what about the woman who wants to be a kindergarten teacher in Canada? The boy who wants to study jazz music in the US? Or the guy who wants to go to beauty school in England? TOEIC is not going to help them much. Japan is putting way too much focus on TOEIC and not enough on speaking or understanding foreign culture. The teacher, the guitarist, and the beautician will not need much "business English" when talking to students or customers.

If you speak excellent English already and want to master the language, or if you love business and economy jargon,  then great- Take the TOEIC! If not, forget it! Go watch a Hollywood movie or read a novel instead.