By Oh Young-jin
Staff Reporter
Education Minister Ahn Byong-man said Friday that a state-developed English proficiency exam will be used as a reference for colleges in selecting students starting in the academic year of 2013.
Ahn also said that he is trying to persuade college and university presidents to discontinue use of TOEFL and TOEIC scores for admissions as soon as possible.
"I am talking with university presidents about the state-developed English tests," Ahn said. "They are reacting positively."
Ahn said that English will eventually be dropped from the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT). The state-administered tests, which all college-bound students are required to take, is currently composed of Korean language, English, social studies and mathematics as compulsory subjects with a few electives.
Under Ahn's plan, the state English exam will take a pass-or-fail form so students, who achieve a pass score, will no longer try and raise their scores.
The ministry plans to develop a three-tiered English proficiency test ㅡ the first level for primary and secondary school students; the second level for high school graduates and the third for adults.
The second level will replace the English portion of the CSAT, while the third level will take the place of TOEIC and TOEFL, according to the ministry's plan.
Currently, three pilot tests are being conducted on 20,000 sample students.
By 2012, the second level test will be completed and trials will start before it becomes the main reference colleges and universities use in selecting students.
"This means a major overhaul in English education. The goal is to enable students to communicate in English without great difficulty after six years of education in middle and high schools," Ahn said.
Private tutoring in English, a pivotal subject to enter college, accounts for the largest portion of education expenses, the ministry said.