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TOEIC test as a job access accelerator to youth from priority neighborhoods
The organization « Sport dans la ville » and ETS Global cement mentorship allowing youth in underprivileged areas to get TOEIC® certification.
“Sport dans la Ville” is the leading organization for occupational integration through sports in France, campaigning for equal opportunities for young people ages 6-25. They offer, first and foremost, athletic programs to youth from priority neighborhoods, as well as programs for job placement or entrepreneurship.
Among these programs, “Job dans la Ville” helps provide professional orientation and integration for young people aged 14-25.
In 2019, the organization observed that the young people in their programs encountered difficulties using English, highlighting a barrier to accessing their first jobs. Furthermore, these young people rarely have the opportunity to study abroad, considering their financial means, and few of them attend “Grandes Ecoles de Commerce” (reputable French business schools), where a gap year abroad is mandatory.
Today, mastering English in a professional context is essential for successful professional integration. Thanks to ETS Global, young people can benefit from TOEIC® certification, an asset for their employability.
A mentorship that accelerates job access
To facilitate job access for these young people and to eliminate barriers to mastering English, the organization developed a partnership with ETS Global at the beginning of 2021, with the aim of certifying their members’ level of English.
Within this framework, the organization set up an English learning program that includes support from ETS Global to obtain TOEIC certifications. This is anundeniable proof attesting their members’ official level of Englishasexplained by Moustapha O, studentin last year Master degree of management control in Paris :
I am preparing to enter the job market. So when I heard about the importance of the TOEIC® test from companies and friends, I decided to take part in Sport dans la Ville's TOEIC program. I was often told that the score on this test was perfect for putting a precise level of English on your CV.
A chance to prepare for the TOEIC® Listening and Reading test
To best prepare for the TOEIC Listening and Reading Test, future test takers can practice with the app Super Prépa for the TOEIC® Test, which allows instructors from the organization to follow their students’ progress and offer customized learning plans.
The organization also organizes 26 professional English test preparation classes for students ages 18 to 25, held weekly for an hour and a half, from the end of October through June.
Some workshops will use the official TOEIC test Bible with the 3 books published by Hachette.
«I attended the TOEIC preparation courses and then took the Super Prépa for the TOEIC® Test - the mock test. It prepared me well and helped me understand the mechanics of the test, how it works, the types of questions... I scored 970/990 on the mock test. On the big day, I took my TOEIC English assessment test. I scored 985/ 990.» Yacine M, student in his final year of the Licence Information & Communication program at the University of Paris 8.
Promising results
During the 2022-2023 academic year, 230 youth participated in the “Young Talents” program, which includes English classes.
18 young people took the TOEIC Listening and Reading test. The organization requires a test score of at least 600 points – corresponding to at least level B1, or even level B2 - to ensure a score that is interesting enough for employers.
The 2023-2024 school season will allow for an increased number of young people to embark on the “Young Talents” journey and benefit from a TOEIC certification.
Well done to Yacine and Moustapha, who scored 985 and 915 points respectively.