By: Sarmad Riazi
TOEFL: run by ETS(Educational testing Service) , a non-profit organization, also responsible for GRE, GMAT,TWS,…
TOEFL has been around for more than 50 years
TOEFL vs. IELTS: Not so different from IELTS except for :
More Popularity Better testing criteriaFair and standard Evaluation
TOEFL Givers: Sanjesh Amirbahador Mojtama Fani,…
Valid for two years
Consists of 4 modules:
listening, reading, writing and speaking
2 Major Types of TOEFL:
IBT
PBT
iBT Advantages: Frequent tests Faster Evaluation Handy speaking module for
TA-SHIP Seminars Academic Life
PBT advantage: No major advantage over iBT except for
being cliché and no speaking section (which is virtually a disadvantage! )
3 to 5 large passages Academic topics No need to know every word, but
common knowledge wouldn’t hurt When reading on monitor, use your
hand to follow the lines When out of focus, lean back and
stretch, take in more Oxigen! You may take notes Be ready to face difficult passages as
well( Use KAPLAN)
2 ConversationsBetween studentsBetween student and professorAll in standard American Accent
4 LecturesWide range of Academic TopicsNote taking skill is vital (use Barron’s)Be prepared for all difficulty levels (Use
Barron’s)Now take a 10 min. break !
Independent tasks Ask your idea on familiar topics
Speak clearly and coherently and have a SIMPLE but
CLEAR message
15 seconds to think, 45 seconds to talk.
Kind of Freaky, right?
Summarizing problem and solution Between 2 people, usually in academic settings
Take notes
Prepare your answer for 30 seconds, talk for 1 minute
Again, be clear and coherent, there’s no point in
speaking hastily
Integrated tasks:Read a short passage, take notesListen to a lecturePrepare your response for 30 secondsSpeak for 1 minutes
You need toBe clear and coherentConvey relevant informationBe good at reading and listening+ note
takingUse a variety of words and grammars
CORRECTLY!
Integrated task: Read a passage Listen to a lecture and take notes Listen to the question Prepare your response and type! Note that usually passage and professor contradict
You need to Be prepared for this type of question Know how to type fast Be good at using a variety of word and grammars Be clear and coherent and convey relevant
information
You should at least be at Intermediate level to be eligible to start preparing for the test
Take these books:Delta (for general practice)
Contains tactics, exercises and sample examsBarron’s ( for finalizing your study)
Contains only some tactics and full-lengths exams
Advanced listeningLongman (for more beginner test takers
Easy listeningKaplan ( for advanced study)
Advanced reading
If already not at intermediate level:
Go to English class, it’s the only place you learn language skills together
be advised: Pay attention to what kind of class you enroll You need be at the REAL level, not higher ,
not lower, you should be the HOTSHOT in the class.
Try to get your instructor to work, don’t be passive about what’s going in the class
Show up in classes while knowing what to expect at TOEFL, get your instructor to advise you.
Reading: Get Reader’s series according to your level Read in a wide variety of topics, use WIKIPEDIA Get TOEFL Flash Reading EAT the DELTA’s samples, Get used to read on computer screen Use your hands to follow the lines
Listening Get Tactics for Listening Listen to your class samples Listen to Longman, Delta, … OVER AND OVER Learn note taking technique (from Barron’s)
Speaking: Go to standard conversation class to get started Go to free-discussion class
Expensive Irrelevant issues
Pay attention to your pronunciation and accent!!! Memorize listening scripts and say them out loud Talk to yourself, think directly in English, DO NOT
TRANSLATE FROM PERSIAN TO ENGLISH!!! Use mp3 player to record your voice when doing
DELTA’s exercises Give yourself enough time to practice. Hard work pays off, it takes a long time, but it
pays off!!!
Writing:
Get “practical write with readings” and read the first 80 pages, strongly recommended
Practice the TOEFL samples Get your instructor correct your writings, really
important at beginner’s level Expand your grammar, Vocabulary, speed up
your typing speed. Remember that practicing on your writing also
boosts your speaking!
Register early for the test Register for two consecutive tests Try your best to get a safe score,
upper 94/120 is quite OK. It’s important for your future life, take the test
seriously Being fully prepared also helps you save some
money!
At the final stage of your preparation, drown yourself with test materials, you have to do this to get to your peak performance.
Take it easy!
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