In these days, the topics of blogs were only wine and foods, so I changed the topic into English.
Pearson (
http://pearsonpte.com/Pages/Home.aspx ) is the name of an English test. According to their HP, Pearson is an international media company with market-leading businesses in education, business information and consumer publishing. They provide the Pearson Test of English Academic "PTE Academic" endorsed by Graduate Management Admission Council® (GMAC®) and General "PTE General". PTE is not TOEIC, TOEFL or IELTS, whereas the test scores begun being admitted by UK border agency, Australia student visa and English requirement of some universities.
The advantage of PTE is very fast from apply to result. If they have a room, we can applying two days before the test day. Then, we can receive the results within 5 days, in some cases, they are receivable on the day. In addition, people will take a test in a booth, so we can concentrate on it.
However, disadvantages are that there are less recognition and less places to take a test, so it may difficult to prepare for tests. Indeed, it seems to be difficult to get a high score, because their tests are based on computer test using head sets, so we have to have typing skills. Moreover, the test is set more practical for receiving the lecture in the university. For example, after listening to some one's lecture, examiner have to summarise the lecture for other people. Another example is listening to one sentence, and repeating it again immediately. I suppose that their test is very practical, but I could not understand how they check pronounciation and give points by computers. Of course, the topics are almost all academic from wide range. Actually, it is not enough test information for a practice as in other tests.
Overall, this test is, probably, considered a new business tool to gain examine fees and filter the students to diversify nationalities as well as postgraduate certifications.., because people can apply easily by above reason, and the examination fee, US$209.00 excluding consumption tax is a little lower than other similar tests. If so, that is an interesting way to think, because education is a kind of business. The Japanese tend to consider in a public stance that education is recognized as high public, whereas the Japanese are likely to prefer having qualifications. Certainly, I understand people who have qualification study positively, and it is an easy way to judge some one...especially, in such as case of recruiting. However, I believe that quantitative evaluations are more important, that is difficult though. As a result, I suppose that its all depends on personal reliance and value. Abstract...far from practical studies...
Thank you for your reading to the end.
As I mentioned at the introduction, cooking is my hobby. Today, I had shared the precious time with my friends, one of whom is a teacher of French cuisine. We had cooked mussels from Mont Saint-Michel, France, the dish in the name of Mousles mariniere. Main dish was a pheasant from France. In Japan, chicken legs are good in comparison with breasts because of feeling leg elastic. However, in France is the opposite state. The bird breasts are good places to taste it. The menu in French was Faisan en deux services, les filet roti, les cuisses confit au chou, jus de faisan au thym. The taste of mixed pheasant's juice and cabbage was extreme. The dessert was tarte pomme au calvados, glace au caramel, which was simple but exquisite, and flavoured calvados. I supppose that cookings especially fishes and birds are anatomy and subjects such as biology, science and math, because we have to know various body parts and structures, such as the place of joints and bones. We will not be able to have a great food without knowing them. Still the French have a really good appetite for food. It is certain the Japanese as well.
