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biffinbridge
Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 701 Location: Frank's Wild Years
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2003 8:33 am Post subject: TOEFL |
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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
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2003 9:36 am Post subject: |
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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
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2003 9:48 am Post subject: Celeste |
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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
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2003 11:09 am Post subject: who are u? |
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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
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2003 11:17 am Post subject: Cambridge |
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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
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Posted: Tue May 06, 2003 11:44 am Post subject: |
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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
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Posted: Sat May 10, 2003 10:11 pm Post subject: a toe full of test |
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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!
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Posted: Sun May 11, 2003 12:20 am Post subject: oh great |
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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
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Posted: Sun May 11, 2003 9:22 am Post subject: Reply to chuckie |
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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
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Posted: Sun May 11, 2003 9:42 am Post subject: |
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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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