How important are exams?
 

Hi, what role do exams such as the TOEFL or TOEIC play in your class room activities? Are there any other English language tests are exams you have to prepare your students for? As for me, the TOEIC test is becoming more and more important as I primarily work with companies are adults who want to increase their job opportunities.

Re: How important are exams?
 

The Cambridge Exams play an important role in my working day. The backwash from those exams is a good one I think. They encourage students to read extensively which leads to "absorbing" the language. I find that students who read books on their own, listen to music with English lyrics, speak, have no problems whatsoever with the exams, even if their theoretical knowledge of grammar is very deficient. I like the Cambridge Exams.

Re: How important are exams?
 

My missus is teaching a kid who will go to an International Middle School in India and he has to study for the Kids Cambridge tests. She said that it's a lot different than the ones here in Korea (which are mostly grammar based from what I heard). The student is buying her a book so I will be able to see it then.

Re: How important are exams?
 

To the OP I think that exams are very very important especially for me as I am teaching kids. I give a little test every day in class for about 2 minutes, mostly speaking tests and one writing and listening test every other week. It focuses them on learning and if they do well then they can get special points!

They will thank me later :D

Re: How important are exams?
 

Personnally I use Cambridge junior papers ( starters, movers and Flyers)
to test my young students. The tasks are various and they love doing them.

Michele:rain:

Re: How important are exams?
 

For business English, we use the BULATS test and the CEF/ALTE levels for the pre- and post-course test. Giving the same test twice helps us to show companies that their employees have shown progress.