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[englishgibson]

In China, I am involved in a foundation program for students who apply to western unis. TOEFL is a part of our program and we are to prepare our students for the exams they take at another location in China (usually Beijing). I am just a bit unfamiliar with TOEFL and I am wondering if it also has speaking in North America. In China, students get the speaking exam (speaking to the computers).

Is anyone out there on forums involved in this program in the States or Canada? Could you share your knowledge or experiences?

Cheers and beers to all

[johnslat]

Dear englishgibson,
I recently tutored a Japanese gentleman here in the States who wanted to take the TOEFL.
He had to take the same exam that your students undoubtedly do, and that includes a Speaking segment:

"IntroductionThe new TOEFL iBT speaking exam has 6 parts. These are:
2 independent speaking parts - where students give their opinion on a familiar topic.
4 integrated speaking parts - where students talk for 60 seconds about written or spoken information."

Here are some "sample" questions:

"Part 1

How popular is the Internet in your country?


Part 2

In what ways do you think television influences people?


Part 3

Many people believe that physical exercise is the key to happiness. This is because sustained sessions of physical activity produces endorphins, also known as 'happy chemicals'.

What do you think about this information?


Part 4

According to current sociological data, people these days are living longer and growing taller than people 50 years ago. This is in spite of the fact that consumption of fast food and obesity are on the increase.

What do you think about this information?


Part 5

There are now more non-native English speakers in the world than there are native speakers. In many cases this is changing the way that English is used.

How do you think the English language is changing with the increase in numbers of non-native speakers?


Part 6

The number of student exchange programs being offered at universities around the world is increasing every year. This development has lead to a growing trend in globalization in the workplace, as well as changes in the way people socialize.

Can you give examples of how these trends are influencing societies around the world?"

I found the Barrons and the ETS practice books to be the best. In addition, there are a large number of (free) Internet sites where one can practice all the sections.

Regards,
John

[englishgibson]

quite helpful..thanx

cheers and beers

[flutterbayou]

The posts here on TOEFL iBT speaking are inaccurate.

There are 6 questions.

The first two are independent speaking questions that draw on personal experience, things happening on campus, and/or something related to academics.

The other four questions are integrated, which means that the test taker will listen to a brief discussion or a lecture, and will then be asked to respond to a question.

Some of the integrated speaking questions involve reading a brief passage, listening to a related discussion, and then responding to a related question.

ETS wants the people who take the TOEFL to be able to take notes while listening and to be able to synthesize a few different sources of information, just as they will have to do in an English teaching university.

The speaking component takes 20 minutes to complete. After the question is given, the test taker has 15 seconds to ready a response, and then 45 seconds to speak in to a mic/headset.

The rubric for scoring is holistic, and is based on delivery, language use, and topic development. Completeness and accuracy of concept are equally important.

The reason that ETS's TOEFL iBT tests people on integrated speaking and listening is to prepare students to actually listen to what is said to them, so that they can participate in class.

A large number of Asian IELTS takers tend to memorize responses to questions that are commonly used... what do you think about global warming.... where do you see yourself five years from now..., and if you have taught in countries where English is not an integral aspect of the local culture, you can appreciate the fact that a large number of language learners don't actually integrate the language into their thought processes; they tend to memorize and deliver speeches and do not respond well when a spontaneous response is required.

This is why I feel good about TOEFL and not good about IELTS. TOEFL is all about critical thinking in a second language and it prepares people for life; IELTS is a slick and predictable formula for getting in to Australia.

[englishgibson]

flutter, thanx for the non-slick formula as well as the enlightening post on what country to go with the IELTS results

in my view however, IELTS is a social event in between two people. TOEFL on the other hand is not as social .. but youngsters love computers (especially in china), don't they?

by the way, i really would love to know those that moderate those lovely proficiency exams

cheers and beers to critical thinking as well as posting on

[BELS]

Try here for all your course books etc for TEFL. There are course books leading up to TOEFL, IELTS, and all the cambridge qualifications. Also previous tests or mock tests are available. Also great resource books for teachers.

http://www.pearsonlongman.com/

[BELS]

I noticed no mention of why a person would need a particular qualification in EFl. Obviously emigrating or studying in the USA it would be TOEFL in most cases. For immigration to work or study in other English speaking countries it would have to be IELTS or a certain Cambridge level.