The TOEFL_® Advantage Seminar organized by Smart Education Charitable Foundation on 2 March, 2013 at the Direcção dos Serviços de Educação e Juventude – Centro de Educação Permanente was a huge success. It has attracted many principals and teachers from Macao to attend.

We invited three speakers, including Mr. Kevin Chan – President of Smart Education Co. Ltd.; Mr. Vincent Cheng – Sales Director of Global Assessment Division of Smart Education Co. Ltd. and Mr. Harvey Lo – Representative of Centre for Continuing Education of University of Macau.

First of all, Mr. Chan introduced the world's largest private educational assessment and research organization - Educational Testing Service (ETS) to the attendees. ETS develops, administers and scores more than 50 million tests annually worldwide, including the TOEFL_® tests and the TOEIC_® tests. Mr. Chan talked about the TOEFL_® family Assessment, including TOEFL_® iBT, TOEFL_® ITP, TOEFL_® Junior and TOEFL_® Primary and explained how they can help students to enhance their competitiveness. Recently, the TOEFL_® family added 2 new members – The TOEFL_® JuniorTM and TOEFL_® Primary tests. Apart from helping students to pursue further study in overseas, these two tests can evaluate students' English proficiency objectively.

Mr. Vincent Cheng shared how TOEIC_® and TOEFL_® ITP could help students in Macau to prepare for their future and enhance their competitiveness, basing on his extensive experience in the education field. Mr. Cheng pointed out that tourism industries were growing in a fast pace in Macau. It is important for students to have an international certificate to demonstrate their English proficiency, either to further study or seek a job. Mr. Cheng said many overseas universities had set a TOEFL_® score as an entry requirement. To stand out, proficiency in English is a must for all students.

At last, Mr. Harvey Lo from Centre for Continuing Education of University of Macau introduced international assessment preparation courses to the principals and teachers, including: TOEFL_®, TOEIC_®, SAT, ACT and GRE tests. The University of Macau is one of the official centres of the above tests. They provide courses and public tests to local students and people who are currently employed.

The seminar also provided an opportunity for the participants to share their teaching strategies. It allowed them to have a better understanding on international English assessment as well as how these assessments can help students to enhance their English levels.

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