Four interactive stations, Fair, Agile, Smart and Tailored, give attendees a closer look at a different part of the TOEFL iBT® experience 

Dubai, Oct 3, 2026: Educators, counsellors and education professionals stepped into a different kind of learning environment at TOEFL Experience Day Dubai on September 27, 2026. In a creative digital setting, the event brought the enhanced TOEFL iBT® to life through an experience designed to be explored, discussed and felt firsthand. 

From the moment guests entered, the space drew them into the TOEFL story. Visuals flowed across the venue, setting the scene for a journey through the test and the opportunities it helps students pursue. As attendees moved between sessions, they engaged with the people behind TOEFL, asked questions and discovered how the test is evolving alongside the students who take it. 

At the heart of the day were four interactive stations: Fair, Agile, Smart and Tailored. Each gave attendees a closer look at a different part of the TOEFL iBT® experience. Together, they explored English used in academic and campus life, adaptive Reading and Listening, and an updated test journey designed to help students demonstrate their abilities. For educators who support students’ next steps, the event made those changes tangible and gave them ideas and insights to take back into their conversations. 

The vision behind the enhanced TOEFL iBT® is rooted in a deeper alignment with regional ambitions and global learner needs, reflected in the belief that “we see the UAE as a great partner” as it grows as an international education hub. The latest updates demonstrate a commitment to modernising the assessment experience, grounded in the principle that “we made the test a lot more accessible” to better match today’s classrooms and evolving expectations. Looking ahead, new global pathways initiatives, especially the Passage partnership, aim to close critical information gaps for students, driven by the understanding that “it is a lack of distilled information, the ability to match the perfect student with the perfect programme that didn’t even know existed,” said Omar Chihane, GM of TOEFL.  

Suzie Yaseen, Business Director, emphasised that bringing the TOEFL Experience Day to Dubai was driven by a commitment to transparency and collaboration, noting that “educators, counselors and our partners play a key role in supporting students in their journeys.” The event was designed to strengthen confidence and understanding across the academic community by creating a space “where we can share expertise, where we can have conversations, and we can work together to support students further,” reinforcing the region’s collective effort to elevate English proficiency and empower learners through the evolving TOEFL iBT®.  

The event welcomed a select group of the UAE’s top‑ranking institutions, including GEMS World Academy, Amity University Dubai, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University and the Abu Dhabi Department of Education & Knowledge (ADEK). They were joined by leading education partners such as Alef Education, Global Study UK, Express English Training Centre, English World and CERT – Higher Colleges of Technology, creating a high‑impact environment focused on elevating English proficiency, strengthening academic pathways and deepening engagement with the evolving TOEFL iBT® to better support learners across the region. 

Abdelrahman Hijazi, a leading English‑language educator, regional content creator and founder of Dalilk Academy, was also among the attendees, bringing the insight and influence of one of the UAE’s most impactful English‑learning voices to the TOEFL Experience Day Dubai. His insights highlighted core challenges learners face, including that “having that mindset that I can learn English… I’ve been trying learning English since a lot of years… I don’t think it’s going to work,” a mindset barrier that often limits progress. His emphasis on effective preparation aligned with the principle that “there’s… a very, very famous book that talks about the 80/20 rule… focusing on… 20% of the action, of the effort that gives… 80% of that output,” reinforcing the importance of targeted strategies. The evolving TOEFL iBT® showcased the relevance of future‑ready assessment, reflected in his view that “talking about the new TOEFL, I feel like it’s a no brainer… it focuses exactly what you need English for after getting your test results done,” capturing a verified moment of alignment between educators and the modern demands of English proficiency. 

David Hand, VP, emphasised how experiencing TOEFL firsthand is transforming engagement in the region, noting that “we’re becoming much more learner-led and locally relevant in how we approach this region,” with learners expecting faster, simpler and more digital experiences. He added that today’s event is designed to build deeper understanding and confidence among educators”. 

Launched globally in January 2026, the enhanced TOEFL iBT® includes adaptive Reading and Listening sections, modern academic and campus-life content, faster score reporting and a 1–6 score scale. More than 13,500 institutions across 160+ countries and territories accept TOEFL iBT® scores.