Teachers' Retreat, June 11, 2006
Participants: Robert Russell, Andy Martin & Greg Lamb
Robert mentioned that the New TOEIC Test, though supposedly more valid in requiring test takers have the competence in the listening and reading skills being measured, does not exclude the need for the test takers to 'know' the test. This means that learning test taking strategies and familiarity with the format of the test is important and should be part of the course.
Andy noted that pretty much all my students mentioned achieving a high TOEIC score was their prime motivation for taking the course.
Both Gregg and Robert mentioned that they are not using the 'Market Leader' books so much. Bearing in mind the new course objectives, this is hardly surprising. If most of the material in the books were to be covered, there would probably not be enough time to devote to achieving these objectives. Both felt the books are not really being used, or to put it another way, they are something of a hindrance. Robert mentioned that he makes work sheets for activities in the book and has the students do them in class, thus minimizing the need to have the students buy their copies. All of us agreed that from next year, it might be better to not have textbooks in class. For the most part, the business books available tend not to be really suited for pre-work experience college students.
In Andy's class this year, the plan was to not have the students use a textbook. However, on the first day, they all came to class with a shiny new copy of Business Ventures 2. Andy thought this requirement had been removed from the guidelines, but this wasn't the case. The students told Andy that the Co-op would not take them back and refund their money. His solution was to suggest they borrow his CD of the listenings, burn as many copies as needed and use the book and CD for self-study. This way, although they forked out 2000yen for the book they get an almost free CD making the book suitable for self study. Andy gains by being able to achieve the course objectives without being lumbered with an inappropriate textbook and doesn't have to feel so guilty about the students buying the book.
Instead, bearing in mind the students hopes of improving their TOEIC score, one of the New TOEIC Test books could be the one that students buy and that they make use of it for self study outside the classroom. Both of the New TOEIC Test books published by OUP are designed to be used as self-study materials.
Over the year several classes could be set aside for introducing and reinforcing self-study skills. In Andy's experience, students do not become autonomous in self-study by simply having it recommended to them. Therefore, checking on how well they are achieving their goals through discussion, questionnaires, journal, reports, cooperating and sharing resources etc, might be useful.
In fact this is what Andy is doing and so far, it seems to be working. During the greater part of the classes, the students are doing scaled down versions of some of the topics and presentation cycles that he's having his Advanced Business class students do.
(Sumarized by Andy M)