Teaching TOEIC Reading

There are two levels of reading comprehension to consider with students. One is their actual level when reading "real life" materials such as magazines, newspapers, novels, etc. The other is their ability to handle TOEIC reading section questions quickly and accurately. These two tasks are related but not necessarily the same.

The TOEIC test reading section requires speed as well as understanding. Students who learn how to take the test in an efficient manner will get a higher score than those who simply read and answer questions in a "normal" fashion. This is not dissimilar from other standardized tests such as the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) in the United States. Learning to manage the test often increases scores more than an overall increase in English ability.

The TOEIC Reading Tips lesson is designed to guide the student through some methods of improving their ability to answer questions without understanding every word of a reading passage as well as their test-taking speed.

The teacher should review the lesson first and consider the best way to cover the material with the student. This section of tips should be used in conjunction with other reading material or a TOEIC practice book. After covering the tips, the teacher should have the student attempt to apply them to reading passages.