Job Discussion Forums

[Voyeur]

In IBT Integrated writing, the prompt typically asks you to 'summarize the listening, noting how it casts doubt on the reading' or something similar.

Logically, this would suggest that you prioritize the listening and typically begin a paragraph by summarizing the listening point first, and then addressing the reading with respect to how the listening refutes it.

Most of the actual ETS sample answers follow this approach. However, most of the secondary material will begin with the reading in terms of their template for answers. The listening is often a response to the reading, and it is a bit awkward to present the 'response' first. These materials will still advise including more details from the listening than from the reading to satisfy the prompt.

I'm interested in which approach experienced TOEFL teachers 'round here tend to take.

[wonderingjoesmith]

reading-listening-writing is more workable here in china

[Voyeur]

I meant that do you recommend that students begin their integrated writing body paragraphs with the relevant listening point, or begin with a point from the reading and then present the speaker's corresponding point?

This is all just about IBT Writing Task 1

[revilo]

My school gave me the answers/questions to Int. writing TOEFL stuff.
Without exception, all the sample responses used the writnng as the 1st point made, e.g.: "In the writing, the writer said there were more causes of the American Civil War than just slavery.......[summary follows]
However, the lecturer noted that slavery was the only cause of the Civil War. ....[summary follows]

The writing is there on the page for them to read. It's the listening that gets them because they need to take notes on the lecture (which many stubbornly refuse to do)

[wonderingjoesmith]

Note-taking is truly the problem here; students seem to only be used to write what they're told to write, so when they're to be individual they can't. This may have to do with confidence. They don't trust their own judgments. Studying in one educational system for 8-9 years and then switching to another one may be painful for everyone.