The University’s offer extends even beyond academic programmes and vocational courses: UTM is also a training unit and test centre for a number of international-standard language-proficiency tests, such as TOEIC and TOEFL
UTM hosted a talk earlier this month to introduce representatives from local secondary schools to the details of two international tests for the English language: the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC). Both are international standardised tests of English-language proficiency for non-native speakers. UTM is a training unit and testing centre for the two formats.
TOEFL measures academic communication skills in English, and is usually a requirement for non-native speakers planning to study in a higher education institution that uses English as the medium of instruction. TOEIC measures proficiency in English relevant to the global workplace.
The talk took place on 7 May at the Mong-Ha Campus. It was hosted in partnership with Smart Education Co. Ltd.
Since July 2011, Smart Education has been the official representative for the TOEIC format in Hong Kong and Macao. The group is also the official representative for the TOEFL format in Hong Kong, Macao, and South China.
Speakers at the talk included representatives from UTM’s Institute of Executive and Professional Development (IEPD) and from Smart Education.
More than 30 representatives from local secondary schools attended the event.
Last September, UTM became an official TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) centre. The University has been providing training courses on, and acting as a test centre for, TOEIC since 2017.
IEPD Dean, Dr. Cindia Lam Ching Chi, says that through the process of preparing for TOEFL, “students can build confidence” in their language skills.
She adds: “They can also know, relative to candidates all over the world, their language proficiency level.”
According to Mr. Kevin Chan, President and Founder of Smart Education, for years the Macao Government has been offering subsidies to local secondary schools so that students can apply for language-certification and proficiency tests.
“As TOEFL and TOEIC are internationally recognised tests, they are included in the framework of the subsidy,” Mr. Chan explains.
Since UTM is authorised as a test centre, candidates can choose to take their respective test at the University. “Students can choose a more familiar venue to take the test, to reduce their stress and anxiety,” says Mr. Chan. “The more relaxed they feel, usually the better they can perform.”
UTM’s Dr. Lam agrees. “Students taking the test at UTM might be more familiar with the environment here,” she says.
“They might even have taken some training here, so they usually have a clearer idea about the test flow, what strategy to adopt when answering the questions, or might have had opportunities to try out the hardware and software of the test venue before the test takes place.”
Dr. Lam says the University, as a training centre for language proficiency tests, can tailor courses according to the needs of the participants.
“The schools or concerned parties will let us know which language skills they would like to focus on, what the objectives are; then we will come up with the training plan that fits the group.”
In addition to language-proficiency training and tests, UTM’s IEPD provides various types of professional training and assessment, including in the fields of hospitality, tourism, MICE, catering, creative arts, information technologies, health and wellness, management, finance, and more. Dr. Lam says the goal is to provide trainees with the necessary skills, and to enhance their professional competence, thus contributing to the development of Macao.
Editor: UTM Public Relations Team
