Communicative competence is key. Some TOEIC users may regard certain language
skills to be more critical than others. However, what they seem to value
most often, we believe, is a person’s ability to communicate in English in contexts
that require multiple language skills. While a specific skill may sometimes seem
paramount, skills in all four domains are likely to come into play more often than
may be apparent. The ability of employees to communicate effectively in various
settings has become increasingly apparent in today’s international business world.
For instance, employers often express concern that recent US college graduates
are deficient in their oral and written language skills (e.g., Stevens, 2005).
Worldwide, employees who can communicate effectively are sought after by corporations
for a variety of different occupations. In New Zealand, for instance, the
oral proficiency of accounting students has been evaluated systematically (Gray,
2010). Additionally, the demand for writing skills has been well documented
within both national and international companies (e.g., Casady & Wasson, 1994).
Furthermore, companies that fail to emphasize communication skills apparently
struggle in their daily operations (Andersen & Rasmussen, 2004). In short, in the
business world proficient communicators are a much valued “commodity.”
Assessing some skills to the exclusion of others may under-represent the many
facets of this commodity, thereby resulting in less-than-optimal decisions about
those whose communication skills are being evaluated.