Michael Goodine's Blog, page 23

Fix the Frigging Emails

This is the message TOEFL test takers get when their scores are available: “Dear [NAME] Great news! The scores from your recent TOEFL iBT® test are now available online. Open the Official TOEFL® app now to view your scores and send official score reports to institutions. We wish you nothing but success as you continue […]

I Started a Substack!

Hey, so I’ve started a substack called “Some of the Above: The Business of English Testing.”  Right now, my goal is to publish a weekly or biweekly roundup of the sorts of items I already post here and on LinkedIn.  Basically… the same items, but expanded when necessary.  And with slightly less sarcasm. Everyone knows […]

Nice LanguageCert Campaign

LANGUAGECERT has just kicked off a promotional campaign called “Lives Retold.”  It looks like the campaign will, through video vignettes, tell the stories of people who used the LanguageCert test to help start their lives abroad.  The first is about Zhenyi, who moved from Liaoning (China) to Manchester after taking the test.  I lived in […]

TOEFL Enhanced Score Reporting and Test Taker Treatment

Since I’m on a roll, here’s one more item about TOEFL test takers deserving better. Back in 2023, the TOEFL program introduced “enhanced score reporting.”  This mostly consisted of AI-powered insights about various aspects of test taker performance being added to all TOEFL score reports.  It was pretty cool – test takers basically got e-rater […]

ETS Event in China

ETS is hosting an event next month in Shanghai that may include announcements regarding major upgrades to the TOEFL program. Or maybe some other core ETS product.  Says ETS China (on LinkedIn): Under the theme “Empowering with Expertise, Thriving Together,” we’ll unveil major upgrades to ETS’s core products and services and introduce new strategic initiatives […]

TOEFL Score Cancelled Due to Unauthorized Software (New Version)

Here’s the new version of the “Score Cancelled Due to Unauthorized Software” email from ETS: Dear [Name] Your TOEFL iBT® Home Edition scores from your test on March 19, 2025 could not be reported because you had an unauthorized software operating during the test administration. Please be advised that as indicated on the TOEFL iBT® […]

On Corporations and New Products

One of the VPs over at ETS posted on LinkedIn about some initiative in Vietnam.  He wrote (emphasis mine, emojis not mine): “A heavy focus on test-taking shortcuts over real skill development threatens long-term success. True global mobility isn’t just about passing exams—it’s about equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in academics […]

Cost of TOEFL Reduced in Japan

The cost of registering for the TOEFL Test in Japan will be reduced to $195, starting April 1.  That’s a $50 reduction.  This appears to be a permanent change. Obviously, this adjustment will be welcomed by test takers. A prominent pain point for those seeking to take the TOEFL (all around the world) is that […]

The Gigification of the British Council

Here’s a story from The Guardian about the gigification of online English lessons provided by the British Council. It looks like the “British Council Teachers” who teach those lessons (including IELTS lessons) get a pretty raw deal. Not a great headline at a time when the British Council is seeking a financial bailout from the […]

TOEFL Scores Not Available After Email from ETS

Many reports this afternoon that people are getting the following email from ETS: “Dear [name], Great news! The scores from your recent TOEFL iBT® test are now available online. Open the Official TOEFL® app now to view your scores and send official score reports to institutions. We wish you nothing but success as you continue your […]