THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A TOEIC PREPARATION COURSE ON NONENGLISH MAJORED STUDENTS’ TOEIC SCORES AT A UNIVERSITY IN VIETNAM

Abstract

This study aims to examine whether non-English majored students’ TOEIC scores are improved after participating in a TOEIC preparation course. Another purpose is to understand possible reasons affecting the scores. To accomplish the two purposes of the study, students’ TOEIC scores before and after a TOEIC preparation course in a natural classroom setting were analyzed using Paired-samples t-test. Focus group discussions were used to understand reasons that led to changes in scores. Findings suggest that students’ TOEIC scores were not improved when they finished the course. The study students’ perceptions of their effort, background knowledge, motivation, limited instructional time and a change in selected answer choices appeared to negatively affect their achievements.