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santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

Did you take a specific course to learn how to teach TOEFL effectively, or did you just learn it on your own - either through instructional books or hands-on experience?

I did a 30 credit TESL certificate but didn't do an in-depth study of how to teach TOEFL (I specialized primarily with refugees and functional daily English) but I'm interested in doing some part-time work with university students and TOEFL.

If you did a course, can you say which one? Either distance or in Montreal, QC. If you learned from instructional books, which ones?

Thank you Smile

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Never took any course or training, but I have taught TOEIC courses. Pretty similar in nature.

You have to ask yourself whether you are actually going to teach how to get a good TOEFL score by teaching test-taking strategies, or by improving the students' English (grammar, vocabulary, reading speed and comprehension, listening comprehension).

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

Thank you Glenski.

I haven't worked in this market yet (Montreal) so I can't be certain, but I suspect the vast majority of students (francophone Canadians) will be seeking test-taking strategies. What confuses me is that most francophone students looking to get into an English university have strong listening/speaking skills but I have no idea the depth of their writing, reading, etc. I guess I should contact some teachers in Montreal to see what is in demand from that demographic.

I'm used to teaching Asian students who have poor speaking/listening but strong grammar/writing/reading/etc.

hollysuel · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 225 Location: Connecticut, USA

I just went to some TOEFL sites and learned what the test was about. Of course, I had already taught English for sixteen years so had a lot of experience under my belt.

naturegirl321 · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 9041 Location: home sweet home

I haven't taught TOEFL, but did FCE and CAE. I had to teach myself how to do it. I WISH I could have taken a course on how to teach it. I read over the teacher's book and talked to other teachers. That' helped a bit.

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea

Thanks holly. I have very little practical experience (one month full-time teaching practicum in 2009) so I think I'll probably need to brush up a lot on... everything Shocked

hollysuel · Joined: 07 Oct 2007 Posts: 225 Location: Connecticut, USA

Is there a course that concentrates on teaching the TOEFL, TOEIC, Cambridge, etc. ?

santi84 · Joined: 14 Mar 2008 Posts: 1317 Location: under da sea