TOEFL Blog

February 03rd, 2018

2/3/2018

TOEFL Tip #3 Speaking
Using a structure for Part 3

TOEFL speaking test part 3 introducing an announcement, policy change or letter that two people comment on and typically involves one speaker giving a strong opinion in response. A good typical structure then is to

Briefly mention the issue, announcement and the general reason for it
Give the overall reaction by the speakers
Talk about two reasons why one or more of the speakers is for or against the issue

Additional points
Stretch your language with transition phrases
Eg in the passage, an announcement communicates a change in parking policy. The reason given for it is that ,,,,,,,,,
Use cleft sentneces
The reason that the woman is opposed to the plan is.......

0 Comments

TOEFL Tip #2: Speaking

5/8/2015

0 Comments

Preparing Parts One and Two Using R1 & R2

TOEFL speaking test parts 1 and 2, has the participant speak for 45 seconds and gives only 15 seconds to prepare. Because 45 seconds is a very short time to speak and because 15 seconds requires lightning speed to get ready, I suggest the candidate follows the following process:

1. in 2 or 3 seconds, decide your stand or choice.

E.g. What place would you choose to travel to if you had the opportunity?
Immediately think of a place - do not hesitate -- E.g. Disneyland

2. Write 2 reasons in one or two words.

E.g. 1. Fun 2. Nice weather

3. Give full sentences as starters and in transition phase. Notice the length of the introduction phase before actually explaining your reason.

If I could go anywhere I would go to Disneyland. I have two reasons why I would go there. The first reason is that it is fun. You can.................

The second reason Disneyland would be a good place to visit is that it is in a place that has good weather. Disney land is in southern California so..................................

Part 2 makes it even easier to make a choice because it often gives you a closed ended choice.

E.g. Some people think it is better to marry young while others think it is better to wait until later in life. Which do you think is better?

Marry Young

R1: Children grow up faster

R2: Share financial situation

In my opinion, it is better to marry young. I believe this for the following reasons. The first reason that I think it is better to marry young is because you can watch the children grow up before you reach your 30s. Your children can become independent before you become middle aged. the second reason I think marrying young is better is because you can share the financial burden easier. For example, both can put the incomes together to buy a house.

So drag out the language and limit the information. The 45 seconds will not seem so long or too short.

0 Comments

TOEFL Tip #1 General Test

1/22/2015

0 Comments

Integrate Input/Output Skills

TOEFL is an integrated test meaning that many of the parts combine the sub-skills. For example on the speaking test 4 of the 6 tasks are integrated tasks. Task 1 of the writing test is an integrated task.

For this reason any approach to TOEFL must involve the cycle of reading/listening/speaking as well as reading/listening/writing. The idea is to make the input (i.e. reading and listening) immediately connect with the output (speaking and writing). In other words, tell people what you read or listen to and write what you read and listen to. Studying reading listening speaking and writing independently is inefficient and does not take advantage of the benefits of recycling language in different subskillsTo carry out an integrated approach a number of approaches should be explored

1.    Read and orally summarize articles with a partner. It can be fiction or nonfiction but the idea is to report on what you take in

2.    Take notes on a number of videos and readings and summarize them in writing

3.    Find two passages that disagree and summarize the disagreement

4.    After you write an issue, tell a partner what you have written

5.    Write responses to speaking tasks

6.    Read as many model answers as possible and try to rewrite them

0 Comments

February 03rd, 2018

TOEFL Tip #3 Speaking
Using a structure for Part 3

TOEFL Tip #2: Speaking

Preparing Parts One and Two Using R1 & R2

TOEFL Tip #1 General Test

Integrate Input/Output Skills

Author

Archives

Categories

February 03rd, 2018

TOEFL Tip #3 Speaking​Using a structure for Part 3

TOEFL Tip #2: Speaking

Preparing Parts One and Two Using R1 & R2

TOEFL Tip #1 General Test

Integrate Input/Output Skills

Author

Archives

Categories

TOEFL Tip #3 Speaking
Using a structure for Part 3