TOEFL Tip #1 General Test

 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