Ellen ComisEL FellowEcuador, 2015-17

TOEFL iBT Success:

Strategies & Tips Presenter: Ellen Comis

EL Fellow in Quito, Ecuador2016

Why Are You Interested in Learning More About TOEFL

iBT?

❏ Future study in an English speaking University❏ Employer requirement❏ Deciding which English proficiency test to take❏ Improve your test taking skills❏ Other

Let Me Introduce You to Two Students:

Student 1 Student 2

Why Do You Think:

Student 1 looks so worried?

Why Do You Think?

Student 2 looks so delighted?

Review TOEFL iBT Test contentProvide you with skill building tipsGain confidence so you can be successful!!

Objectives

AgendaUnderstanding the TOEFL iBTSix Strategies & Tips for SuccessSuggestions for Test Day

Understanding the TOEFL iBT

Test Section Number of Questions Timing

Reading 3 - 4 passages, 12 - 14 questions each 60 - 80 minutes

Listening 4 - 6 lectures, 6 question each2 - 3 conversations, 5 questions each 60 - 90 minutes

Speaking 6 tasks; 2 independent and 4 integrated 20 minutes

Writing 1 integrated task1 independent task

20 minutes30 minutes

Understanding the TOEFL iBT The Scoring★ The Test provides scores in four skill

areas:Reading 0 - 30

Listening 0 - 30

Speaking 0 - 30

Writing 0 - 30

Total Score 0 - 120

Understanding the TOEFL iBT Resources to learn about test:

http://www.ets.org/toefl

How Many of You Have Taken the TOEFL iBT?

❏ Yes, I´ve taken the TOEFL iBT❏ No, I haven´t taken the TOEFL iBT

Share with Your Partner(s) What Skills in the TOEFL iBT

You’d Like to Strengthen

Six Strategies & Tips for Success❏ Be prepared!❏ Read everything. Listen to everything.❏ Learn to take good notes❏ Plan before you write or speak❏ Speak clearly and be organized❏ Practice, practice, practice

If You’ve Never Taken the TOEFL iBT Before, How Long Should You Give Yourself to Prepare?

❏ 1 - 2 weeks❏ 1 - 2 months❏ 6 months to a year

Tip #1: Be Prepared! Nothing should be a surpriseKnow every question & taskKnow the exact score you needAt the very least, GET A TEXTBOOK

During the Past Few Days, Have you:1)Read the Paper2)Listened to the

radio3)Watched TV or

internet

❏ Yes, I have read, listened, or watched

❏ No, I haven’t read, listened, or watched

Checkout internet resources

Voice of America Learning English

NPR News

Newsela

National Geographic News

BBC News

Cover a wide variety of topics

Build your vocabulary

Tip # 2: Read Everything. Listen to Everything.

http://learningenglish.voanews.com

http://npr.org http://listenwise.com

For Your Classroom!

http://newsela.com/

http://news.nationalgeographic.com

http://bbc.com/news

Websites offer a variety of topics & build vocabulary

A good note taker should:

❏ Write down everything ❏ Only write words he/she knows❏ Only write essential information

Tip # 3: Learn to Take Good NotesYou can only listen ONCE!Only write down the essential informationPractice on the VOA and NPR websitesUse symbols & shorthand:

Think of a time when you went shopping without a shopping

list. What happened?

Discuss your response

Tip # 4: Plan Before You Write or SpeakEssay writing tends to follow the same formatMake a brief outlineBe sure to include:

Introduction

Body (2-3 paragraphs)

Conclusion

One Paragraph = One Thought

Introduction - Opinion

Reason#1

Reason#2

Reason#3

Details1.2.3.

Details1.2.3.

Details1.2.3.

Conclusion

Tip # 4: Plan Before You Write or Speak

Connect Ideas withTransitional

WordsFirst

Second Because

On the one

handBut

Finally

SoFor example

In contrast

Tip # 4: Plan Before You Write or Speak

Did I answer the question being asked?If there is a choice, did I identify it? Did I write clearly?Did I use words correctly?Did I organize my ideas clearly and

coherently?

True or False?

Discuss your response

The best way to prepare for the speaking section is to read & listen to lots of sample responses

Tip # 5: Speak Clearly and Be OrganizedPractice Speaking!!Record yourself & listenSpeak in the mirrorAvoid frequent pauses & “um”

Tip # 5: Speak Clearly & Be OrganizedAn organized response matters:

Main IdeaReasonsDetails

Conclusion

True or False?

Discuss your response

If I study too much, I’ll get confused & bored.

Tip # 6: Practice, Practice, PracticeCan only improve with practiceDo all the tests in the practice book (3)Do all the ETS TOEFL iBT website tests (5)

Do at least 8 practice tests!

Suggestions for Test DayLearn to relax

Visit the test center before the testDon’t “cram” the day beforeGet a good night’s sleepTake deep breaths throughout the testConcentrate on the current question onlyRemember, you can always take the test

again!!!

Thank You for Joining

Me!!Now get to work & break a

leg……..

Can you tell me what I mean by saying “break a leg” ?

Hint: It is a theatrical expression

ReferencesEducational Testing Service, The Official Guide to the TOEFL Test

(Fourth Edition). (2012). New York: McGraw Hill.

The Ten Best Tips to Get a High Score on the TOEFL iBT! Retrieved from http://www.englishteachermelanie.com/ten-tips-for-the-toefl-ibt/

20 TOEFL Tips. Retrieved from https://www.englishclub.com/esl-exams/ets-toefl-tips.htm

How to Get a Great Speaking Score. Retrieved from https://edition.englishclub.com/esl-magazine/toefl-speaking-score/