TOEFL IBT Speaking/Listening Skills Development

As you see in question 6, listening is so important. If you don't understand the lecture, how can you give right response! To improve your listening/speaking skills, try everyday to listen to native English speakers.Listening to the radio or the computer is better than watching television because when you watch television you can look at the speakers’ lips.You will not see the speakers during the administration of the TOEFL.

Below is a list of academic lecture and English learning Websites that you will find helpful ;)

• http://tesl-ej.org/ej17/m3.html (ten sites inside)
• www.eslhome.com/esl/listen
• www.stanford.edu/~efs/tesol03listening
• www.public.iastate.edu/~hschmidt/listeninglinks.htm
• www.cdlponline.org
• www.esl.about.com/cs/listening
•  www.esl-lab.com

Additionally, there is a web site that you can find friends for chatting in English. You can try ;)

http://www.englishbaby.com

TOEFL IBT Speaking Question 6 (Tips&Examples)

Hello all again :)
I want to share tips for TOEFL IBT Question 6. You will hear a passage from a lecture of approximately 230-280 words that explains a term or concept and gives one or two examples. You will summarize the lecture using examples that demonstrate an understanding of the topic. Don't forget this; this is an ACADEMIC TOPIC. It means, there can be lots of terms that you don't know.
20 seconds preparation time; 60 seconds to speak.


Outline(Approved)
--The professor is talking about the phenomenon of ............... which is different from............
-- According to the professor,....................... . He gives an example of .........................
--The professor goes to talk about.................
--To sum up,................

As you see, there are not too much outlines for this question. Because, you will hear only a lecture and not read anything. You will just summarize this.

TOEFL IBT Speaking Question 5 (Tips&Examples)

When I have looked my other posts, I saw that I didn't give any information about time,words and etc, the technical details. From now on, I will :) It's also as important as the structure and topic. Let's start ;)

In question 5, you should have good listening skills because you will not read any passage. You will hear a passage of approximately 180–220 words. It will be a conversation about a student-related problem and two possible solutions. You will need to understand the problem and give your opinion as to the better solution.

Important : 20 seconds preparation time, 60 seconds to speak.

The question :

The student describes two solutions to her problem. Describe the problem and then tell which of the two solutions you would prefer and why.

By the way, I will use only "man/he/him" in sentences. "man/woman or he/she or him/her" doesn't seem so nice :)

Outline 1:

The man's problem is that...............(problem).................

His friend presents 2 suggestions; one of that is .......(1.suggestion).......... and the other one .........(2.suggestion)................. . 

If I were him, I would.....(your choice)............... . 

......(Write your reasons, not only the choice's owner's reasons)..................

Outline 2 (Approved):

According to the conversation, the man's problem is that ....(problem).........

Students discuss 2 solutions. His friend gives him 2 solutions. First, .......(1.solution)........ Second,....(2.solution)......

If I were the man, I would choose the second solution.

1st solution isn't good because even though....(positive response of solution 1).........., as the man said......(negative response).......

2nd one is better because even though ......(negative response of solution 2)..........., as the man said......(positive reason).......... 

That's why I choose 2 nd solution.

Also usable phrases in your conversation.

• The problem is how
• She is considering two options
• One option is
• The other option is
• I would prefer
• may be the better option
• has two alternatives
• is the better alternative
• On the one hand
• On the other hand
• In my opinion

TOEFL IBT Speaking Question 4 (Tips&Examples)

In question 4 is more complex than the first three. However, not too much :) By the way, (: happy new year :)  You will read a passage(approximately 75–100 words), listen to part of a 150–220 word lecture and then you will be expected to summarize part of the information.


The topics for this question include academic lectures from:
• Life science
• Social science
• Physical science
• Humanitie.


It's so important that please take notes while you read and listen!


While you are answering question 4, 

• state the general topic of the metarials set 
• explain whether the listening supports or refuses the principles presented in reading;
• introduce main points and supporting details from the listening passage and relate each of them back to the main points in the reading passage.

When you take notes, give them a letter to complete the template successfully.
Reading: 
     Title(topic) :T
      Definition : D
Listening:
      E : keywords which you hear clear.


30 seconds preparation time; 60 seconds to speak


Outline 1 (Approved):
The general topic is here ......T........which the passage defines as ......D......
The professor supports/dissagres that theory in the reading passage by pointing out some good examples to illustrate this.
First,.......E1....... . This supports the theory of ..... in the reading.
Second, .....E2......... This also supports the theory of ...... in the reading.
On the other hand,........E3(can be no positive example)......... . This is a positive example for ..... in the reading. 


Outline 2:
The general topic is here ....T....
Talk about reading ..............D.........
(Always say the lecture's mentions) The lecture talks about .........  and gives an example of ....E1..... . It is a good example of the principle .... in the reading passage. The lecture also gives another example of .....E2... . It's a good example of how the principle of the reading passage doesn't apply.


Outline 3:
The article is about ........T...... which the passage defines as .......D....
The professor provides an example of ............... to illustrate this.
He/She states that ..........E........ . And so, this example clearly illustrate this.