Course Syllabus
Overview of the Course
Welcome to TOEFL Test Preparation: The Insider's Guide. In this six-week
®
course, we will explain the TOEFL test and take you through an in-depth look
at all four sections of the TOEFL test: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing.
You will have the opportunity to learn more about the question types, scoring
guidelines and resources to help you prepare for test day. We will give you test
preparation tips and practice materials.
You should expect to spend 2 to 4 hours per week to get the most out of this
course. The course includes video lectures, discussion forums, weekly quizzes,
practice tests and recommended readings. ETS instructors and staff will moderate
the discussions and provide feedback where possible on a weekly basis.
Please note: Passing this course is not a predictor of how well you might perform on the
actual TOEFL iBT® test.
Learning Objectives
Gain a broad understanding of the four sections of the TOEFL test: Reading,
Listening, Speaking and Writing
Learn how to use your TOEFL test scores for employment, school, visas,
scholarships
1.1 Welcome
1.2 Survey
For this reason you have to read many times in a day, for example:
- Social sciences.
- Arts.
- Physical sciences.
- Life sciences.
- Specialized vocabulary.
- Formal grammar.
- Based on facts.
- Impersonal tone.
- Multidimensional ideas.
- Interconnected parts.
There are 3 or 4 reading passages of about 700 words each. For each
passages you have 12 – 14 multiple-choice questions. You will be able to see the
reading passage as you answer each question.
Identify the topic: Before you begin to read, take a look at the tittle and the
illustration at the beginning of the passage.
Skimming: take a glance at the first few sentences of the first paragraph. These
sentences form the introduction and usually give the reader an idea of what is to
come. Then take a look at the first sentence of each of the other paragraph.
These sentences often provide information about the main point or points in each
paragraph.
While you skim, pay attention to the structure, or organization of the passage.
I. Phenomenon presented.
i. Detail.
ii. Detail.
b. Alternative theory.
i. Detail.
ii. Detail.
iii. Example.
II. Conclusion.
Now you’re ready to careful read the passage from the beginning to
end. As you read, you can fill in more of the outline, such as: specific
details that support some of key ideas.
Reading the questions: once you read each question, you can go back to the
passage to look in a targeted way for the information you need to answer that
question. This is calling scanning.
Scan for key words: after you’ve located them in the paragraph, re-read the
phrases and sentences containing those words. You should be able to find the
information you need to answer the question.