I happened to notice a Google ad here in the Cove for the TOEIC (Test of English in International Communication) offered by Educational Testing Service (http://www.ets.org) for $65. [same folks who do SAT, GRE, etc.]

I'm curious. Does anyone have experience with this test as testee or employer requiring folks to take the test? Is it worth even $65?

Does the test make sense? That is, do high scorers really have sufficient command of the English language to do a job? What about ability to write or speak? I have often dealt with folks who read and write English impeccably (if a little "stilted"), but have accents so thick and non-Standard English pronunciation of many words, I really can't understand them.

I'm never quite sure if they understand me when I speak (flat Midwestern accent.)

Are there any tests for speaking English? If yes, could we take up a collection for all the help desk workers in call centers located in foreign lands to take and PASS such a test?

I feel this topic BELONGS in benchmarking Forum in regard to benchmarking communication.

Are there any tests for speaking English? There must be lots of therm. One that is widely recognized by employers is the Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (http://www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/cpe.htm). Having done it in 1991, I can vouch for it.

/Claes