Beginning in December, optional speaking and writing tests will be included in the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC), which is used worldwide to test English language proficiency in the workplace.

The Educational Testing Service (ETS), a non-profit educational testing organization, Tuesday announced the details of the new tests during a media conference in southern Seoul with The Korea TOEIC Committee.

“The introduction of the speaking and writing tests will enhance the product line into a four-skill assessment--listening, reading, speaking and writing--and provide learners with opportunities to improve their overall communication skills,” said Paul A. Ramsey, senior vice president of the ETS Global Division.

The tests will be offered in two forms in Korea--a speaking test and a combined speaking and writing test. The speaking test will measure a person’s ability to use spoken English. ETS scorers will evaluate exam-takers’ ability in pronunciation, intonation, grammar, vocabulary and sentence clarity. The duration of the test will be about 20 minutes for 11 questions. The writing test will evaluate test-takers’ ability to use written English. Scorers will check overall organization, appropriate and precise use of grammar and vocabulary. About one hour will be given to answer eight questions.

The total number of points possible on the tests is 200. The speaking test will be graded in eight ratings and the writing exam in nine ratings. The scores will be posted on the Internet three weeks after the exam, and the test will be held once a month. Because the speaking and writing sections are optional, exam-takers will have to apply for the tests separately from the TOEIC.

ETS posted sample tests at www.toeicswt.co.kr on Tuesday to help test-takers prepare for the new exams. The new tests are expected to have a big effect in Korea because more than 1,000 companies and government organizations use TOEIC scores to hire or promote employees.