TOEIC Test Planning and Practice(Small)
directions and explanations are provided in English. Furthermore, students might not actively review their notes regularly, effectively limiting their acquisition of test taking skills which are at least required for end of semester ESP examinations. A negative effect of the perceived importance of content rather than skills is that students believe that they can success- fully cram for examinations by memorizing copious notes and isolated vocabulary items without considering the skills practiced in lessons. Emphasis on remembering content as opposed to familiarity with test format, timing, question types and the way to approach these needs to be addressed by course planners and learners if comprehensive aims of an ESP
course are to be achieved. A similar belief is expressed by Davies (2005, p.9) who states that the dependence on test preparation content ‘removes both the teacher and students from their creative roles in the classroom and reinforces the erroneous belief that language learning simply in order to pass a test is a worthwhile goal.’
Lesson format
In practice, an ESP course of any type can be enhanced to be arguably more effective in its goals through focused group work. It is this aspect of methodology which is suggested to promote more active student input through quality timed peer interaction. Another strength is the dynamic role of the teacher during a lesson, including facilitator of activities, timekeeper and active monitor of group discussion. A suggested lesson format features two phases. In the initial phase,
students arrange themselves into groups of three or four. Pairs offer less chance for brainstorming and discussing ideas and groups of more than