Principles of my TOEIC Test-Prep Workshops and Self-Access Online Materials for TOEIC Preparation

Abstract

This short article summarizes my reflections and opinions toward my optional workshops on TOEIC preparation. The workshops have taken place weekly in a self-access center (SAC) in Chubu district, Japan. Many SACs, in fact, offer workshops as a part of their services encouraging learners to enhance their target language proficiency and become more self-regulated and autonomous (Gardner & Miller, 1999; Sekiya, Mynard, & Cooker, 2010). However, few have researched whether SAC workshops are achieving such goals. Thus, I aim to share my perspectives based on my reflections on having instructed the series of workshops for the duration of four semesters. In particular, I will present my three principles to make the workshops attractive and effective: 1) learner development; 2) implications from second-language acquisition (SLA); and 3) guidance on learning resources. I will also illustrate learning resources found to be most popular by my workshop attendees. Finally, I will discuss key elements that may make SAC workshops more meaningful and distinguished as extra-curricular lessons.