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TOEFL

 
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biffinbridge



Joined: 05 May 2003
Posts: 701
Location: Frank's Wild Years

PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2003 8:33 am    Post subject: TOEFL Reply with quote

They put Neil Armstrong on the moon.They are responsible for the twentieth century technology boom.They can splatter countries in a matter of weeks....but don't forget,they also invented that abomination called the TOEFL test.Is there anybody in ELT who rates this test?Names and addresses on a postcard please.....to- This Exam Sucks,4 Can't anybody design a better test street,hopeless,SH1T 4ALL,USA.
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Celeste



Joined: 17 Jan 2003
Posts: 814
Location: Fukuoka City, Japan

PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2003 9:36 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

There's a worse one- it's called TOEIC. Have you had a bad run in with the TOEFL recently? You sound rather impassioned on this subject.
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biffinbridge



Joined: 05 May 2003
Posts: 701
Location: Frank's Wild Years

PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2003 9:48 am    Post subject: Celeste Reply with quote

I've been preparing a class for ages and it's becoming really dull.Maybe it's the Longman books we're using...any suggestions?
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Albulbul



Joined: 08 Feb 2003
Posts: 364

PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2003 11:09 am    Post subject: who are u? Reply with quote

Biffinbridge ?
Are you "itslatedoors" in a new guise ? Come clean !
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johnslat



Joined: 21 Jan 2003
Posts: 13859
Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2003 11:17 am    Post subject: Cambridge Reply with quote

Dear biffinbridge,
All the prep books for TOEFL are pretty much the same, but I think the Cambridge one may be the best of the lot.
Regards,
John
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Lucy Snow



Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Posts: 218
Location: US

PostPosted: Tue May 06, 2003 11:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

You want a really bad test? Go to Japan and try to prepare students for the Level 1 Eiken (Japanese Govt. English exam). One of my students brought me a copy of the test, and I amused myself for a few days by correcting the grammatical, syntatical and typographical errors.

I have no problem with the CAE, but why do they choose such boring essays for the reading comprehension section?
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chuckie



Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Posts: 17

PostPosted: Sat May 10, 2003 10:11 pm    Post subject: a toe full of test Reply with quote

What is a good or bad test? Perhaps a test that does well what it was designed to do. In this case, TOEFL is an excellent test. It does predict well a student's ability to function in an English-based academic environment. That is all it is meant to do.

When teaching TOEFL it is iimportant to have a personal strategy for each person so they can monitor and work to improve their individual estimated score. Then it isn't so boring - and is in fact quite goal oriented and motivating. I can't think of anything more boring than teaching for these type tests in a generic way.

Baseline your students and have them set individual goals based on their strengths and needs from the diagnostic test. Often on tests like these - it is better first to strengthen the things the students are good at - you'll get a better jump in estimated scores - and build their confidence.

I know a lot of people complain about teaching these kinds of tests - but actually I like it as it is more goal-oriented that something like a very general "conversation" course - and the students are often much more motivated.

Just my garbled opinion early this a.m.
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thelmadatter



Joined: 31 Mar 2003
Posts: 1212
Location: in el Distrito Federal x fin!

PostPosted: Sun May 11, 2003 12:20 am    Post subject: oh great Reply with quote

and I think I got a job preparing students for this test!!! But then I have taught composition which many think is boring as well
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biffinbridge



Joined: 05 May 2003
Posts: 701
Location: Frank's Wild Years

PostPosted: Sun May 11, 2003 9:22 am    Post subject: Reply to chuckie Reply with quote

Sounds great unless you're in the Middle East, your test dates constanly change and the company might not pay for them to study abroad anyway.Oh yeah,you've also got a large class with royalty in it........not much autonomy there.
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Stephen Jones



Joined: 21 Feb 2003
Posts: 4124

PostPosted: Sun May 11, 2003 9:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

The basic problem with external exams is that students and managers labour under the illusion that the best way to pass them is to take practise exams endlessly, instead of actually being taught.

And as doing what the punter wants is how you sell textbooks, then you get boring textbooks you have to follow.

Still if you think the TEOFL is bad, take a look at the KFUPM rubbish.
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