The Test of English as a Foreign Language

The Test of English as a Foreign Language TOEFL

Ø What is the TOEFL test? §The Test of English as a Foreign Language ( TOEFL) is an examination that is administered by the Educational Testing Service ( ETS) and is used to evaluate a nonnative English speaker’s proficiency in the English language. Many North American colleges and universities, as well as a large number of institutions , agencies, and programs, ask for official TOEFL test scores during the administration process.

Ø Why take the TOEFL test? The TOEFL test gives you more choices about where you want to study. The TOEFL test gives you more convenience and flexibility. The TOEFL test gives you the skills you need to communicate in real-life academic situations. The TOEFL test is fair and accurate.

>Test format The format of the TOEFL test is divided into four sections, which can be seen below. Keep in mind that some test-takers will receive more reading passages, where others will receive more listening passages. Section Number of pages Number of tasks or questions per passage Answering time Reading 3 -5 12 -14 60 -100 minutes Listening 4 -6 lectures 2– 3 conversations 6 5 60 -90 minutes Speaking ___ 6 20 minutes Writing ___ 2 50 minutes

>Scoring information Each section of the test is scored separately. The number of points received for each section is converted to a scaled score of 0 -30, for a possible combined total score of 120. Reading 0 -30 Listening 0 -30 Speaking 0 -30 Writing 0 -30 _________________________________ Total 0 -120 Scoring for each section: In the Reading and Listening sections, most questions are worth one point. Chart and summary questions are worth more than one point. Each Speaking task is worth 4 points and each/ Writing task is worth 5 points.

>Different sections of the test Reading Listening Speaking Writing

Ø Reading § The reading section of the TOEFL test measures your ability to understand written academic English. You will be asked to read three to five passages and answer 1214 comprehension questions about each passage. All of the information needed to answer the questions can be found within the passage. The reading section is divided into two-to-three separately timed parts.

ØPreparing for the reading section • Choose academic articles of different styles (both printed press or on the internet), fiction and non-fiction books, various newspapers and magazines. Then identify whether the passage is of a classification, cause/effect, compare/contrast or problem/solution category. • Organize the information in the passage: Create an outline of the passage to differentiate between major and supporting points. If the passage categorizes some information, create a chart placing the information in appropriate categories. • On the basis of your charts and/or outlines, create an oral or written summary of the text.

Ø Listening §The listening section of the test measures your ability to understand spoken English. You will see photographs of students and professors speaking and hear parts of the conversation of academic lectures lasting from three to five minutes. Each listening passage is followed by five or six questions. Each begins with a spoken statement that sets the context. All the questions in the listening section can be divided in the following three categories: Basic comprehension questions Pragmatic understanding questions Connecting information questions

Ø Preparing for the listening section • Listening to English- Recordings, such as podcasts and listening activities. English conversations should become a part of your daily activity. Vocabulary needs to be expanded - Reading and discussing academic articles or scientific magazines then translating unknown words. Revising these words daily will surely help expand the learner’s vocabulary.

Ø TOELF IBT - SPEAKING SECTION FORMAT • Length of task: 1 -4 minutes long each • Number of tasks: 6 • Questions: 1 question per task; 6 questions in total • Average Time per Question: each question 45 -60 seconds for the speaking part of

> TOELF SPEAKING TEST • • v v v During the test, students will answer 6 speaking questions over the telephone. Two of the questions ask about familiar topics. QUESTION 1: Personal experience QUESTION 2: Personal Preference QUESTION 3: Reading / Listening / Speaking Situation QUESTION 4: Reading / Listening / Speaking Academic QUESTION 5: Listening / Speaking Situation QUESTION 6: Listening / Speaking Academic

Ø TOELF WRITING TEST FIRST TASK: Writing based on Reading and listening • For this task, you will have 3 minutes to read a passage about an academic topic. You may take notes on the passage while you read. Then you will listen to a lecture about the same topic. While you listen, you may also take notes. • Then you will have 20 minutes to write a response to a question that asks you about the relationship between the lecture you heard and the reading passage. • Typically, an effective response will be 150 to 225 words long. Your response will be judged on the quality of your writing and on the completeness and accuracy of the content. • TASK 2: Writing Based on knowledge and Experience • For this task, you will write an essay in response to a question that asks you to state, explain, and support your opinion on an issue. You will have 30 minutes to plan, write, and revise your essay. • Typically, an effective essay will contain a minimum of 300 words. Your essay will be judged on the quality of your writing. This includes the development of your ideas, the organization of your essay, and the quality and accuracy of the language you use to express your ideas.

> TOELF IBT - Writing WRITING SECTION FORMAT Number of tasks: 2 (Integrated task and Independent task) Average time for the Integrated task: 20 minutes Average time for the Independent task: 30 minutes

Ø Tips to be successful 1. When studying, be sure to make use of mock tests. There is not a lack of resources that will help you practice for the test. You can find several sites that provide either complete tests or specific parts of it to help you practice. Apart from this, there also several books available in bookstores that will be valuable guides for the learner. 2. Because the test is largely focused on English language skills, if you feel that your language skills are not up to par, you will need to either enroll into English teaching institutes, or find someone who will be able to teach you personally. There also several coaching centers that can train you for TOEFL 3. Don't forget to time yourself during your practice sessions. Carry a watch with you to time each activity that you do. Do not be tempted to spend too much time on any section or task. Since the test is rather long, and there is quite a bit of writing involved, work on your stamina!