TOEIC Was Never Just a Test of English Ability — Reflections from Returning to It at the Age of 68 — Friday, July 10, 2026

Today marks the fourth day since I began studying TOEIC again.

I have no intention of taking the test.

My goal is not to raise my score.

The reason I have returned to TOEIC is to revisit what I learned, explored, and struggled to understand during my years as an English teacher. If those experiences can help even one person, I feel they are worth sharing.

Today, I reviewed a little of Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

Once again, I realized that TOEIC is not simply a test of vocabulary or grammar.

Part 1 requires the ability to describe a picture in natural English.

Part 2 tests whether you can recognize the most natural response in a conversation.

Part 3 requires you to understand paraphrases—recognizing the same idea expressed in different words.

In other words, TOEIC measures much more than English knowledge. It also tests your ability to understand situations, follow conversations, and recognize different ways of expressing the same meaning.

As I studied today, I remembered something from many years ago.

When I was teaching at a commercial high school, I attended a study session led by Hiro Maeda.

During one session, he shared a story that has stayed with me ever since.

He spoke about working professionals who said things like:

"If I don't improve my TOEIC score this time, I won't be assigned overseas. I won't be promoted. I won't be transferred to the department I hope to join."

They were studying with a deep sense of urgency because their careers depended on it.

I was genuinely surprised.

At the time, I found it hard to believe that a TOEIC score could have such a significant impact on a person's career.

Looking back, however, I believe Mr. Maeda was simply sharing the reality he had witnessed through the many students he had taught.

Since then, the world has changed dramatically.

Today, AI can translate languages and even interpret conversations.

Even so, building trust, understanding another person's background, and communicating with empathy are things that still belong to human beings.

Now, at the age of 68, I no longer read as quickly as I once did.

Sometimes the right word does not come to mind immediately.

Yet, as I study, I often find myself thinking, "This is how I used to analyze English," and "I remember how hard I worked to find better ways to explain these ideas to my students."

Those memories have become one of the greatest joys of learning again.

TOEIC is not merely a test for earning a score.

It is also a valuable tool for developing the ability to think, to understand, and to communicate through English.

With that in mind, I hope to continue studying little by little, enjoying the process without rushing.

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