January 2024 - EnglishWithKoala

30 Jan

INTERNATIONAL EXAMSTOEFLBy EnglishwithKoala

All About TOEFL iBT

TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) is the most commonly administered version of the TOEFL. It measures the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers in the four key language skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Here are some key features of the TOEFL iBT:

1. Sections: The TOEFL iBT consists of four sections, each assessing a specific language skill:
– Reading: Measures your ability to understand and analyze academic texts.
– Listening: Evaluates your comprehension of spoken English in academic settings.
– Speaking: Assesses your ability to express your ideas and opinions orally.
– Writing: Tests your ability to write coherent essays and responses.

More on TOEFL iBT...

2. Format: The TOEFL iBT is administered entirely online. Test takers use a computer to complete the test, including typing responses for the Writing section and speaking into a microphone for the Speaking section.

3. Test Length: The total test duration is approximately 2 hours. The time allocated for each section varies: Reading (35 minutes), Listening (36 minutes), Speaking (16 minutes), and Writing (29 minutes).

4. Scoring: Each section of the TOEFL iBT is scored on a scale of 0 to 30. The scores from the four sections are then combined to provide a total score ranging from 0 to 120. Additionally, test takers receive feedback on their performance in the Speaking and Writing sections, which includes scores for specific aspects of language proficiency.

5. Test Availability: The TOEFL iBT is available at authorized test centers worldwide. Test dates and locations can be found on the official TOEFL website.

6. Acceptance: The TOEFL iBT is widely accepted by universities, colleges, and institutions in English-speaking countries, primarily in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It is also recognized by many academic and professional organizations globally.

Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
Winston Churchill

Preparing for the TOEFL iBT involves developing language skills, familiarizing yourself with the test format, and practicing with sample questions and full-length practice tests. There are various study resources available, including preparation books, online courses, and practice materials provided by the official TOEFL website.

It’s important to note that the specific requirements and score expectations may vary among institutions, so it’s recommended to check the individual requirements of the universities or organizations you are applying to before taking the TOEFL iBT.

29 Jan

INTERNATIONAL EXAMSTOEFLBy EnglishwithKoala

TOEFL iBT – Listening

T OEFL iBT all have areas where we want to learn and grow in our personal and professional lives. You might want to brush up on your Excel skills because you need them to advance at work, or maybe you enjoy taking photos in your free. We all have areas where we want to learn and grow in our personal and professional lives. You might want to brush up on your Excel skills because you need them to advance at work, or maybe you enjoy taking photos in your free time and would like to get better at taking portraits of your family. No matter what your motivation, you’ve probably considered taking a self-paced online course. And it makes sense — you can take these courses at any time, in any place.

In case you were wondering if self-paced online learning really is an effective way to learn, the verdict is in: Yes, it absolutely is! Studies have shown that people tend to remember more when they learn in a self-paced environment, they learn more online than in traditional lecture-based courses, and online learning is more equitable than classroom-based learning.

Spend Time Finding the Right Course

Next, make sure you find a course that’s right for you. You probably have a set of requirements for the course — you’d like to cover certain topics, you prefer a particular teaching style, or you want to have a certain format for the course content. If you’re able to find a course that fits the goal you set for yourself, you’ll be more motivated to complete it.

Once you’ve selected your course, it’s important to think about when you’ll take it. Consider how much time you have available to spend watching lectures and doing practice activities. It’s a good idea to start with something manageable and increase from there. For example, start with 20–30 minutes once a week and then add on another session or more time from there. Align these sessions with the action steps you identified when you set your goal. Workplace productivity coach Melissa Gratias is an advocate of “microproductivity” or focusing on one small task at a time.

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. Paul Tournier

Plus, if you start with an unrealistic goal, you are likely to get discouraged and lose your motivation. Be realistic with the time you have to devote to online learning and choose a schedule that you know you can commit to. Research into the psychology of goal-setting backs this up: Being specific about your goals and setting ones that are challenging but not impossible can lead to high performance. Another trick is to block learning time on your calendar and make sure you don’t ignore it.

28 Jan

INTERNATIONAL EXAMSTOEFLBy EnglishwithKoala

TOEFL iBT – Reading

We all have areas where we want to learn and grow in our personal and professional lives. You might want to brush up on your Excel skills because you need them to advance at work, or maybe you enjoy taking photos in your free. We all have areas where we want to learn and grow in our personal and professional lives. You might want to brush up on your Excel skills because you need them to advance at work, or maybe you enjoy taking photos in your free time and would like to get better at taking portraits of your family. No matter what your motivation, you’ve probably considered taking a self-paced online course. And it makes sense — you can take these courses at any time, in any place.

Spend Time Finding the Right Course

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. Paul Tournier

27 Jan

INTERNATIONAL EXAMSTOEFLBy EnglishwithKoala

TOEFL iBT – Speaking

T OEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) Speaking is a section of the TOEFL exam that measures your ability to speak in English in an academic setting. The Speaking section consists of four tasks and takes approximately 15 minutes to complete. You will be recorded while speaking, and your responses will be evaluated by human raters.

Spend Time Finding the Right Course

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure. Paul Tournier

26 Jan

INTERNATIONAL EXAMSTOEFLBy EnglishwithKoala

TOEFL iBT – Writing

T OEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) Writing section assesses your ability to write effectively in English in an academic setting. The Writing section consists of two tasks, and you will have 30 minutes to complete both tasks.

Here’s an overview of the TOEFL iBT Writing section:

1. Integrated Writing Task:

– In this task, you will read a passage and listen to a related lecture or conversation.

– You will then write an essay summarizing the main points from the reading and the listening materials and demonstrate the relationship between them.

– You will have 20 minutes to write your response.

More on TOEFL iBT Writing...

2. Writing for an Academic Discussion Task:

– In this task, you will write a short essay stating and supporting an opinion in an online classroom discussion.

– You will have 10 minutes to write your response.

Your essays are evaluated based on several criteria, including content, organization, language use, and grammar. Each essay is given a score ranging from 0 to 5 by a combination of AI scoring and certified human raters. Raw scores are then converted to a scaled section score of 0–30.

The scariest moment is always just before you start.
Stephen King

To prepare for the TOEFL iBT Writing section, consider the following tips:

1. Understand the task requirements: Familiarize yourself with the specific requirements for each task. Understand the expectations for the Integrated Writing task, which involves summarizing information from a reading and a listening, and the Writing for an Academic Discussion task, which requires you to contribute to an online written discussion.

2. Practice time management: Since you have limited time to complete both writing tasks, practice managing your time effectively. Allocate an appropriate amount of time for planning, writing, and reviewing your essays.

3. Use academic vocabulary and grammar: Aim to incorporate a range of academic vocabulary and sentence structures in your writing. Practice using appropriate grammar, syntax, and punctuation to convey your ideas accurately.

4. Read and analyze sample essays: Familiarize yourself with sample essays provided in official TOEFL preparation materials or on the ETS website. Analyze the structure, language use, and organization of the essays to understand the expectations and strategies for effective writing.

5. Seek feedback and practice: Practice writing essays and seek feedback from tutors, teachers, or native English speakers. They can provide valuable insights into your writing strengths and areas for improvement. Work on addressing their feedback to enhance your writing skills.

6. Expand your knowledge on various topics: Read a variety of English texts, such as articles, essays, and academic papers, to broaden your knowledge on different topics. This will help you develop a broader perspective and provide you with more ideas and examples to draw upon in your essays.

Remember to carefully read the instructions and prompts for each task, plan your essays before writing, and allocate time for reviewing and editing your work. Focus on expressing your ideas clearly, using appropriate vocabulary and grammar, and supporting your arguments with relevant examples and details.

Using official TOEFL preparation materials and resources, such as sample essays and prompts, can provide you with valuable practice opportunities and insights into the expectations of the TOEFL iBT Writing section.