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Bindair Dundat · Joined: 04 Feb 2003 Posts: 1123

Anybody used any especially good TOEFL prep materials? A packaged course? Anything that is significantly better than average, in any respect?

Thanks.

Kent F. Kruhoeffer · Joined: 22 Jan 2003 Posts: 2129 Location: 中国

Hi Bindair Dundat

I haven't taught TOEFL preparation for years,

but I've managed to collect a few links to

some resources that might help:

http://www.esl.net/toefl.html

http://www.free-english.com/

http://supervoca.net/toefl.htm

http://www.ets.org/

Enjoy!

tedkarma · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 8:26 am Post subject:

I think I've used Barron's and Peterson's at one time or another, as well as a couple "off" brands. Have heard from someone I really respect that he thinks the Cambridge Books are the best (go figure!).

Personally, I think it depends as much on your ability to find the student's strengths and weaknesses. And knowing how and where and what to do to improve the skills that will most significantly raise their scores.

The knowing "how and where and what" - is what is critical. More so than the books. Just my opinion.

merlin · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 12:42 pm Post subject:

Funny thing about TOEFL test prep materials is they don't require a teacher. Make sure that you get a profit selling the book and CDs to the student because they'll soon realize the books were intended to be used as self-study material.

The test itself requires no speaking skills and the writing is usually optional so the native teacher is pretty much an expensive non-essential luxury in these courses.

I agree with Barrons as a good book. Cambridge offers a wonderfully hefty tome.

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

I've been using the Barron's prep book for years now. I've also been working with a Longman iBT program. The Longman book/CD has far less grammar focus and much more skills and test practice.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

ls650 · Joined: 10 May 2003 Posts: 3484 Location: British Columbia

Guy Courchesne · Joined: 10 Mar 2003 Posts: 9650 Location: Mexico City

The iBT gets an official rollout in Mexico in March. The Internet based testing format means that official testing centers have been pouring money into new technology to be ready. We should also see a massive increase in the number of testing centers as all the administration is centralized over the net. You might not see this where you are ls650, but it's happening in DF.

The design of the TOEFL iBT prep program I picked up is such that there is a self-study section and a section for teachers using it in a larger classroom, though the class would need to be equipped properly. It is tech-heavy.

What remains to be seen in Mexico is if the local institutional TOEFL will be replaced by the iBT. I doubt it fully will, since it seems most students here aren't writing the test in order to study abroad, but rather for local uni enrollment.

More info here http://www.ets.org/portal/site/ets/menuitem.435c0b5cc7bd0ae7015d9510c3921509/?vgnextoid=69c0197a484f4010VgnVCM10000022f95190RCRD

Jizzo T. Clown · Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2006 2:23 pm Post subject:

Our institutional TOEFL is being phased out. We'll be doing the iBT by Summer, which means our TOEFL person is scrambling right now to get ready. I don't know much about it, but there seems to be quite a learning curve when going from paper to computer...

As for prep materials, we use Delta's Key to the TOEFL. I also use Cliff's Notes for the TOEFL to practice listening (which involves a lot of photocopying). I usually go over the types of questions and what the testers are looking for, then after they take the practice listening section, I give them a copy of the tapescript to take home and they have to look over it and bring their questions to class, which essentially plans my lessons for me, plus they get what they need.