Thinking Between "Scores" and "Education" — Looking Back on The Last-Minute TOEIC Techniques — July 9, 2026 (Thu) Reiwa8

Today, I wanted to write about a TOEIC study guide called The Last-Minute TOEIC Techniques.

Yesterday, I finished reviewing all seven parts of the TOEIC test, from Part 1 through Part 7. Today, I planned to return to Part 1. Before doing that, however, I wanted to introduce this book. I searched my bookshelf but could not find it.

I thought I might have left it at my home in Shizuoka, so I called my husband and asked him to check. He found it exactly where I had used to keep my teaching materials, in the room where I had prepared my English lessons. He will bring it to Matsuyama at the end of July, which was a great relief.

This book holds many special memories for me.

When I was teaching English at a commercial high school, my principal asked me to replace the Business English course with a TOEIC preparation course.

At that time, TOEIC preparation was not as common as it is today. I studied on my own and even traveled to Tokyo to attend a workshop organized by ALC. There, I listened to lectures by Hiroshi Maeda and Robert Hilke. It was the first time I truly encountered the idea of studying specifically to raise one's TOEIC score.

The biggest surprise came when they said, "Do not start with Part 1. Start with Part 5."

"The reason is simple. It gives you the fastest score improvement."

I immediately understood the logic.

At the same time, however, I felt conflicted as a teacher.

"Then what is the purpose of Part 1?"

"What was the intention of the people who created Part 2?"

I have always been the kind of person who believes that every question has its own educational purpose.

To me, education should bring the joy of understanding and the excitement of discovering something new.

That is why I have never believed that education is only about learning techniques to raise test scores.

And yet, I also witnessed another reality.

As my students' TOEIC scores improved, new opportunities opened before them.

Some entered the University of Shizuoka through a recommendation program. Others found employment at companies they had hoped to join. Many gained confidence that they had never had before.

Of course, not every student improved in the same way. Nevertheless, I saw many cases in which TOEIC preparation expanded a student's future possibilities.

That is why I still do not believe that The Last-Minute TOEIC Techniques represents the whole meaning of education.

However, I also know that many people truly need this kind of practical guidance.

For that reason alone, I believe this book is worth introducing.

When my copy arrives at the end of July, I would like to read it again with fresh eyes and reflect on what I learned many years ago.

What is education?

What is test preparation?

Are these two ideas really in conflict?

Now that I am 68 years old, I feel it is time to think about these questions once again.

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