By Eri Furukawa

Since the spring semester of this year, various new courses have begun based on a new curriculum. The change from this year is for Sapporo University students to aim for reachable goals every year, and to have a program that adjusts to the scholastic ability of each student in each class according to the level of their English proficiency. Therefore, the new curriculum's goal is for students to be able to learn more English than in past years.

With this new curriculum, freshmen have a wide variety of introductory classes, and they can search for courses they want to study. This way, they will be able to take more specific subjects from their second year, such as Interpretation (I-IV), and TOEIC and TOEFL. Finally, they can broaden their learning that will relate to their future courses. Also, it may be possible for students to study abroad somewhere through their efforts. At the same time, some new subjects for sophomores have begun with the implementation of the new curriculum. However, the number of students wanting to take the TOEIC or TOEFL classes exceeded the seats available, so many problems surfaced.

Since the number of both courses in the spring semester was too few, the English department decided to add more in the fall semester. Consequently, more students were able to register for the classes. Unfortunately, the number of students in each class varied greatly. One of the probable causes for this is that registration for the year had already been completed in the spring semester. So, if these classes are intended for all students from the beginning of the spring semester, it should be decided early where these courses are allocated, making it easier for all of the students to register.

Why did so many students register for the TOEIC and TOEFL classes? Let me explain what both of these tests are about. TOEIC is a paper test that only evaluates English communication ability. This test gives a raw score, so examinees are able to grasp their own abilities in English right away. On the other hand, TOEFL is a test for people who want to study abroad. It's similar to the TOEIC except for this feature.

By the way, Sapporo University has some tie-ups with foreign schools. If an SU student can get a score of more than 500 (about 70 percent) they can study abroad. Until now TOEFL was a paper based test, but since October of this year the test (called the iBT) can also be taken by computer. If a student can get a score between 53 and 64 (about 50 percent) on the iBT, they can study abroad. This will become the main test from now on. It is held twelve times a year.

According to a questionnaire for sophomores about registration for TOEIC and TOEFL classes this year, 75 students said they wanted to take them. This exceeds half the number of all sophomores. Among those students, one-fourth want to take the TOEIC or TOEFL test. Actually, the number of applicants for the TOEIC exam increases every year, and last year 1.4 million people took the examination nationwide. According to the coop store at the university, examinees at Sapporo University seem to average 30 to 40 a month.

From next year, the department of English has already decided to create two levels of TOEIC and TOEFL classes as one of countermeasure. The problem of registration for this class is expected to be solved because the number of juniors and seniors who want to take them ought to be more obvious than this year. However, we hope that the department of English addresses this problem promptly and makes an environment where the needs of all the students can be met.