ETS, creators of the TOEFL(R) test, the world's leading
test of academic English, and Pearson Longman, the leading publisher
of English-Language Teaching programs, today unveiled a powerful
instructional program to help people learn English and build the
skills tested on the next generation TOEFL Internet-based test (TOEFL
iBT). TOEFL iBT is a breakthrough in testing that emphasizes
integrated skills and communicative competence and allows students to
demonstrate the English skills needed for academic success.
NorthStar(R): Building Skills for the TOEFL(R) iBT links learning and assessment with a skill-building curriculum that incorporates authentic TOEFL iBT test material. The new program from ETS and Pearson Longman is offered as part of Pearson Longman's bestselling NorthStar integrated-skills series.
"This is the first time ETS has worked to integrate authentic test material into mainstream curriculum," says Mari Pearlman, Senior Vice President of ETS's Higher Education Division. "We've incorporated actual test questions into preparation materials before, but this is different. The instruction reflects the integrated nature of how English is actually used. It supports the innovative TOEFL iBT test. And, for the first time ever, it provides the missing link between learning English and preparing for the test."
The NorthStar series focuses on building academic English skills and comprises five levels: beginning, high beginning, intermediate, high-intermediate and advanced. The NorthStar: Building Skills for the TOEFL iBT textbooks can be used to accompany the upper three levels or may be used independently. Each level integrates skills practice to develop critical thinking and communicative competence and provides authentic TOEFL iBT practice sets created by ETS especially for this series. A teacher's guide for each level instructs teachers how to assess speaking and writing tasks, using evaluation tools and authentic student samples provided by ETS.
"This innovative product ventures far beyond test preparation," says Anne Boynton-Trigg, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Pearson Longman. "These books bridge the gap between language learning and assessment. They allow students to move seamlessly from building skills in the classroom to competence in an academic environment and success on the TOEFL iBT."
NorthStar: Building Skills for the TOEFL iBT will be available Oct. 31. For further information, please visit www.longmanusa.com/northstar.
ABOUT ETS
ETS is a nonprofit institution with the mission to advance quality and equity in education by providing fair and valid assessments, research and related services for all people worldwide. In serving individuals, educational institutions and government agencies around the world, ETS customizes solutions to meet the need for teacher professional development products and services, classroom and end-of-course assessments, and research-based teaching and learning tools. Founded in 1947, ETS today develops, administers and scores more than 24 million tests annually in more than 180 countries, at over 9,000 locations worldwide. Additional information is available at www.ets.org.
ABOUT PEARSON LONGMAN
Pearson Longman, an imprint of Pearson Education, is the leading publisher of English language programs, including dictionaries and multimedia, for over one billion customers of all ages, in over 150 countries. The Pearson Longman portfolios - ESL (English as a Second Language in the United States) and ELT (English Language Teaching around the globe) - cater to pre-primary, primary, secondary and adult learners, and all students taking English exams, in both American and British English. Pearson Education is part of Pearson (NYSE:PSO), the international media company. In addition to Pearson Education, Pearson's primary operations include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group. Visit www.longman.com to see the full scope of Pearson Longman offerings.
NorthStar(R): Building Skills for the TOEFL(R) iBT links learning and assessment with a skill-building curriculum that incorporates authentic TOEFL iBT test material. The new program from ETS and Pearson Longman is offered as part of Pearson Longman's bestselling NorthStar integrated-skills series.
"This is the first time ETS has worked to integrate authentic test material into mainstream curriculum," says Mari Pearlman, Senior Vice President of ETS's Higher Education Division. "We've incorporated actual test questions into preparation materials before, but this is different. The instruction reflects the integrated nature of how English is actually used. It supports the innovative TOEFL iBT test. And, for the first time ever, it provides the missing link between learning English and preparing for the test."
The NorthStar series focuses on building academic English skills and comprises five levels: beginning, high beginning, intermediate, high-intermediate and advanced. The NorthStar: Building Skills for the TOEFL iBT textbooks can be used to accompany the upper three levels or may be used independently. Each level integrates skills practice to develop critical thinking and communicative competence and provides authentic TOEFL iBT practice sets created by ETS especially for this series. A teacher's guide for each level instructs teachers how to assess speaking and writing tasks, using evaluation tools and authentic student samples provided by ETS.
"This innovative product ventures far beyond test preparation," says Anne Boynton-Trigg, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Pearson Longman. "These books bridge the gap between language learning and assessment. They allow students to move seamlessly from building skills in the classroom to competence in an academic environment and success on the TOEFL iBT."
NorthStar: Building Skills for the TOEFL iBT will be available Oct. 31. For further information, please visit www.longmanusa.com/northstar.
ABOUT ETS
ETS is a nonprofit institution with the mission to advance quality and equity in education by providing fair and valid assessments, research and related services for all people worldwide. In serving individuals, educational institutions and government agencies around the world, ETS customizes solutions to meet the need for teacher professional development products and services, classroom and end-of-course assessments, and research-based teaching and learning tools. Founded in 1947, ETS today develops, administers and scores more than 24 million tests annually in more than 180 countries, at over 9,000 locations worldwide. Additional information is available at www.ets.org.
ABOUT PEARSON LONGMAN
Pearson Longman, an imprint of Pearson Education, is the leading publisher of English language programs, including dictionaries and multimedia, for over one billion customers of all ages, in over 150 countries. The Pearson Longman portfolios - ESL (English as a Second Language in the United States) and ELT (English Language Teaching around the globe) - cater to pre-primary, primary, secondary and adult learners, and all students taking English exams, in both American and British English. Pearson Education is part of Pearson (NYSE:PSO), the international media company. In addition to Pearson Education, Pearson's primary operations include the Financial Times Group and the Penguin Group. Visit www.longman.com to see the full scope of Pearson Longman offerings.
© 2005 Business Wire
