TOEIC Reading: The Need for Speed

Most students make the mistake on the TOEIC Reading Comprehension section (Section 7) of reading every word in the paragraphs of the passages they read.
This is a big mistake. The TOEIC does not really test reading skill; the TOEIC reading comprehension section tests question answering skills or, more specifically, the ability to find information in [...]

Business English: What’s Important, What’s Not

I think there is a great deal of confusion among students of business English over what is most important to study if you want to “improve your English.”
First, instead of thinking “I want to have better English,” think this: “I want to communicate more clearly and more effectively in English.”
If your goal is a high [...]

TOEIC Listening Practice for Beginners

If you are having trouble with the TOEIC Listening section, particularly the talks in part IV, you might want to try VOA Special English. This excellent website if full of resources for learners of English. The best thing about the site is that you can listen to news reports at a “gentle” speed. What that [...]

What to Read to Improve Your Business English

If you are studying business English, and want to improve your vocabulary and reading comprehension skills, reading is an excellent way to practice.
But, what to read?

For TOEIC: Read TOEIC passages. Read critically, using a skimming method to understand topic, purpose, basic content, and structure. Do NOT memorize details.
For General Business: DO NOT read Time Magazine, [...]