The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an exam which measures a non-English speaker's ability to succeed within an academic environment. The primary focus of this test is to learn English well enough to earn a degree from an English-speaking university. As such, the TOEFL is not for beginners. It is for those who already have a solid understanding of the English language and simply need to prove their aptitude in order to gain admission into their desired post-secondary program.
Breakdown of the Test Format
The TOEFL comes in two formats: Paper-based and Internet-based; though most tests are now being taken online. The traditional Paper-based test consists of listening, written expression, reading and writing while the internet test contains similar categories, it also includes a speaking task. Let's look at these four components more in depth.
1) Reading: You will read 3-5 article passages and be asked questions about what you've read. You will be expected to understand vocabulary, important information, and locate the thesis.
2) Listening: You will listen to brief conversations that involves people discussing academic lectures, articles, etc. You will be expected to answer questions based on what you've heard. Similar to the reading portion, you will be expected to understand main arguments and ideas, important details and be able to connect ideas together. You are only allowed to listen to the passages once so be sure to take notes!
3) Speaking: For the first part of this section you will answer questions with your personal opinion. You will not need to know specific academic information, but rather, be familiar with the English language and know how to communicate effectively. Secondly, you will hear a conversation and must respond to questions about the material you hear. Once again, talking notes is integral to success.
4) Writing: You will be expected to write brief summaries reflecting on an audial conversation or written passage assigned to you. You then must write a detailed essay on a topic in which you must express, argue and support an opinion.
Tips & Tricks
Taking the TOEFL can be intimidating. The best way to succeed is to be confident in your abilities and practice as much as possible. You should also:
1) Know your TOEFL requirements: The TOEFL is required for any international student who wishes to attend a post-secondary institution. Therefore, it is important you know the required scores for your intended program of study and remember that your test scores are only valid for two years.
2) Connect with others: You can practice studying from a textbook as much as you want but the truth is, you need real-life practice. Having a mentor, friend or study partner to practice speaking in English will be extremely beneficial. Most importantly, don't forget about the benefits of immersive language training, read more about that here.
3) Practice, Practice, Practice: Many websites offer practice tests for you to take and purchasing the official textbook will offer various helpful practice questions.
4) Take a TOEFL prep course: Taking a course will provide you with material and resources as well as a supportive community to help you learn and practice your English skills. It is also a great way to connect with other ESL students. Check out ESL Explorer for discounted prices on all TOEFL preparation courses.
5) Make the most of free resources: There are lots of free resources online to help you with TOEFL preparation, including ESL Explorer's TOEFL Blog.
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