Fired-Up for the TOEIC? Ready to Go?

I'm no big fan of President Obama as a politician, but I always enjoy watching his speech. He's in the middle of a challenging situation, as his health care reform seems to be facing opposition not only from conservatives and insurance companies but also from some members of his own Party. And yet he stood up and gave the following speech just a few days ago:

My last TOEIC score was not as good as I'd hoped it to be (980), and I'm already nervous about the upcoming test. But feeling bad wouldn't help. Perhaps I should chant "Fired-up! Ready to go!" before leaving home for the TOEIC on Sunday, imitating Obama's voice (Probably it's not a good idea to do so at the actual testing site, though). If I get 990, I will call it "Fired-up effect."

Later that day, I plan to exchange thoughts with other test takers in an Internet radio program hosted by Kanzaki-san. It'll be broadcast here:
http://toeicblog.blog22.fc2.com/blog-entry-694.html

p.s.
Oh, by the way, if you would allow me to advertise myself in a totally unrelated entry, I will be conducting a seminar for those aiming for 900 on the TOEIC at Ｚ会キャリアアップコース in お茶の水 next month. You can see my photo if you click this link. It's strange I look much better in the mirror...

July TOEIC

I'm just leaving to take the TOEIC this afternoon. I got 965 for the May test, and I want to do my best to improve the score.

There'll be an Internet radio program afterwards. Go to Kanzaki-san's blog for details.

TOEIC Testクイックチェック Part3・4編

TOEIC Testクイックチェック Part7編

TOEIC Blitz Radio

There'll be a TOEIC Blitz Radio program this evening. We'll talk about today's test. Please go to Kanzaki-san's blog for details.

The March Result & an Interesting Video

The score was 975. Perhaps that's not good enough to be a reason to reward myself with シルクヱビス, but it's still a good score, so I went ahead and congratulated myself with 麦とホップ a couple of days ago.

By the way, I stumbled upon an interesting video:

This is an ESL class at MIT. What's amazing is that the instructor is not a native speaker; he's from Korea. A non-native speaker can teach English at a place like MIT. It's so inspiring to know that. Also, watching this video, I was able to practice pronouncing the word "hospitality," which I happened to use in my previous post. To be frank, I always have difficulty saying that word. I think I might be a bit more confident next time I have a chance to use it in a conversation, thanks to Professor Isaiah WonHo Yoo and his students.

Two Events This Month

ウィットロック慶子-san is president of PTL英会話&TOEIC, a language school located in 三鷹, Tokyo. I've been there twice, and the place is filled with a sense of hospitality and a liberal atmosphere. I respect her as someone who makes that kind of space possible. This month, she is organizing two events for those interested in the TOEIC.

One is a lecture by ウィットロック-san herself, to be held on April 26, Sunday, entitled 「祝☆満点取得記念☆ウィットロック慶子☆私の知っているＴＯＥＩＣテクニック全て教えます」.

Two of my friends, Masaya and Morite2, will participate in the other event on April 29, which is a national holiday. Masaya, who among other things teaches at エッセンスイングリッシュスクール, will give a talk on 「TOEICのための語彙力アップ学習法」. There will also be a book signing opportunity for his latest work, 『新TOEIC R TEST 出る順で学ぶボキャブラリー990』. What's more, you can shake hands with the author. I'm not sure if shaking hands with a 41-year-old man could be considered a benefit, but I never doubt the talk will be enlightening as he always is.

Morite2, who studies linguistics at the University of Tokyo, will lecture on 『上級者のためのTOEIC攻略講座 —出題者の意図を知る—』. This topic I'm truly interested in. I can answer most TOEIC questions with certainty. But I sometimes wonder why the ETS asks those questions. What's intended when "suggest" and "propose" appear as answer choices in the same Part 5 question, for example? This is a personal interest, but I think reflecting on the intentions behind TOEIC questions may actually help better prepare for the test. Unfortunately, I've got a prior engagement that day, so I can't make it, but I hope to have an exciting discussion with the linguist sometime in the future.

If you are interested, see more details below:
http://keiko-whitolock.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/2009/03/post-3f7f-1.html
http://toeicjuken.seesaa.net/article/115892186.html
http://toeicblog.blog22.fc2.com/blog-entry-616.html

These events are not free, but the proceeds will go to an organization for dropout kids. Personally, I don't support that particular organization in the slightest, but as a former dropout myself I am glad there are people who care.

TOEIC受けてきます

ここのところ失敗続きでスコアが送られてくるたびに泣いているので、今日こそは気合いの入れ具合に気合いを入れてやります。本気で受けますが、本気であること自体に本気でありたいです。

終わったあと、↓にお邪魔します。
http://toeicblog.blog22.fc2.com/blog-entry-614.html

The Best TOEIC Teacher Ever Has a School of His Own.....in 新宿!

Long time no entry! Well, I've been having a problem of personal nature, and I just couldn't do anything at this blog. But today, I'm writing something I can't help writing.

Do you know 花田徹也-san? He was a long time colleague of mine at エッセンスイングリッシュスクール. I think I first met him several years ago. I joined the school faculty in 1999, and I took a break for about a year around 2001-2002 to continue my degree in England. When I was back at the school, he was there, and I had a chance to observe him. My very first impression? Well, just one word: jealousy. He was so good. I used to believe that I was good at teaching for the TOEIC, and (arrogantly) I still do to some extent. However, he was entirely different: truly, he opened my eyes, and he redefined what a TOEIC teacher could ever dream of doing for me.

Everyone who knows him is unanimous here. Of course, the students loved him. He was the most popular teacher ever. But not only that, and this is important, every single teacher who saw him teach had to agree. This is a somewhat rare thing to happen, I guarantee you.

So, you may ask: in what way was he good? That, I can't answer. I can write a letter of recommendation for good teachers, but he is special. He is beyond description. The only thing I could do for you here is just tell you to go and see him yourself. You will see what you've never seen, and then you'll know what I mean.

Where can you do that? Here's the answer: he's set up a new school of his own in 新宿. It is conveniently located very close to the Shinjuku Station. Check this out:

TOEIC特化スクール花田塾
http://www.hanadajuku.com/

It just got started this month, so you may not know it. But believe me, every professional TOEIC teacher knows him, and he is the one they aspire to be. Indeed, I would recommend his school not only for students but also for teachers. It's worth it. I had the privilege to observe many of his classes, and based on that experience, I can say from the bottom of my heart that it's worth the money, even for teachers. It'll open your eyes.

Oh, by the way, he happens to have a blog:

花田のTOEICブログ
http://ameblo.jp/hanadatoeic/

But let me repeat what I said: you just need to go and see him teach to know, to be convinced of, his true value.