ITS students participate in TOEFL or TEFL preparation activities, free self-study activities in the Self Access Room, as well as the Express TEFL Course (Source: GLC ITS Documentation)

ITS Campus, GLC News — Meeting the minimum English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) ITS score as one of the requirements to register for the Final Project, Thesis, and Dissertation exams is a strategic step by the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) in strengthening the global competitiveness of its graduates. To support this policy, the Global Language Center (GLC) ITS provides various targeted, flexible, and sustainable preparation services for students.

TEFL ITS is an English proficiency measurement test based on paper-based test (PBT) conducted offline, covering listening, structure and written expression, as well as reading components. This test is designed to assess English ability in an academic context. This is also part of ITS’s efforts to ensure the quality of graduates who are excellent and competitive at the international level, in line with ITS’s status as a World Class University.

As part of academic requirements, foreign language proficiency, which is partly measured through TEFL, is regulated in Rector Regulation Number 18 of 2023 Article 11, which stipulates the fulfillment of a foreign language score as one of the requirements for registering for the Final Assignment, Thesis, and Dissertation exams. In its implementation, TEFL is often used as one of the instruments to measure ITS students’ English proficiency.

To support students’ readiness in taking TEFL, GLC ITS provides free test simulation services in the Self Access Room (SAR) as well as paid English courses or test preparation services. “We provide flexible learning facilities to support students in gradually and systematically improving their English proficiency, through the use of various references, such as practice questions and other foreign language learning books,” said a GLC ITS staff member.

The atmosphere of the Self Access Room at the ITS Global Language Center, which is equipped with various independent language learning facilities and supported by service staff (Source: GLC ITS Documentation)

Through SAR, ITS students as well as the general public have the opportunity to access various learning materials and practice questions for TEFL or TOEFL independently at no cost. This service is available every working day, Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 15:30 WIB. Users can complete practice tests gradually according to their individual availability. Users can also calculate a predicted score at the end of the practice session as a means to evaluate their ability before taking the TEFL again.

For students who require intensive guidance, GLC ITS also provides English courses and TEFL or TOEFL preparation programs supported by experienced instructors. “My language skills have improved compared to before, as evidenced by the increase in my TOEFL score,” said one of the participants of the English course at GLC ITS.

In addition to TEFL, ITS also provides convenience through grade conversion options, such as the EnglishScore from the British Council or the final score of English courses taken at GLC ITS, as an alternative to fulfilling requirements. This demonstrates ITS’s commitment to providing various pathways that are adaptive according to student needs.

Interestingly, ITS also offers alternatives for fulfilling other foreign language requirements and opens opportunities for developing foreign language competencies beyond English, such as Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, German, French, and Arabic. GLC ITS also provides courses for these languages, allowing students flexibility in developing their foreign language skills.

This initiative is in line with ITS’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly point 4 on Quality Education. Through the provision of inclusive and sustainable language learning access, GLC ITS plays a role in improving the quality of education and the competitiveness of graduates.

Looking ahead, GLC ITS will continue to develop language learning services that are adaptive to students’ needs. With this support, students are expected to optimally utilize the various available facilities, not only to meet graduation requirements but also to build sustainable global competencies. (*)

Written by: Alzena Mayla Shabrina
Editor: Global Language Center, ITS