Government plans to introduce Korean version of GRE in 2012
By Kang Shin-who
The government plans to add a speaking section to the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) which currently consists of four parts ㅡ vocabulary and grammar, writing, listening and reading.
Foreign students have insisted that the state-run language test have a speaking section.
The Ministry of Education Science and Technology said it and the National Institute for International Education Development (NIIED) are considering developing a speaking test for TOPIK, though they have yet to come up with a detailed timeline.
In addition, the ministry also plans to create a Korean version of the GRE or TOEFLfor foreign students seeking to study at Korean universities.
“As many foreign students are coming to Korea, there have been growing calls for a new test to screen applicants,” said an official of NIIED, the ministry’s subordinate agency, dealing with foreign students and the test.
The new test, to be called A-TOPIK will be introduced as early as 2012. The government plans to run a pilot test in the second half of next year.
Currently, the Korean proficiency test comes in two formats ㅡ the Standard Test of Proficiency in Korean (S-TOPIK), for Korean language learners, and the Test of Proficiency for Business in Korea (B-TOPIK) for jobseekers hoping to work in domestic and overseas Korean companies and public institutes.
TOPIK consists of 30 questions in the vocabulary and grammar part, 15 questions on writing, and 30 questions each for listening and reading. Depending on the average score and minimum marks in each section, test takers can obtain either grade 1 or 2 for beginner, grade 3 or 4 for intermediate and 5 to 6 for advanced levels.
In the meantime, the number of non-native Korean speakers applying to take the TOPIK tests has continued to rise over the past decade and topped 180,000 last year.
The test was first introduced in October, 1997 and test venues as well as the number of countries hosting the exams have steadily increased.
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