TOEFL
Test of English as a Foreign Language or
TOEFL /ˈtoʊfəl/ toh-fəl, is a standardized test of English language proficiency
for non-native English language speakers wishing to enroll in U.S.
universities. The test is accepted by many English-speakingacademic and
professional institutions. TOEFL is one of the two major English-language tests
in the world, the other being theIELTS.
TOEFL is a trademark of ETS (Educational
Testing Service), a private non-profit organization, which designs and
administers the tests. The scores are valid for two years; then they are no
longer reported.
1. Computer Based Test
At the beginning of July 1998, The
Computer-Based TOEFL test was introduced in certain areas of the world. The
Computer-Based TOEFL has four sections: Listening, Structure, Reading and
Writing.
The Listening section measures the test
taker's ability to understand English as it is spoken in North America,
including frequently used vocabulary, expressions and grammar. The Structure
section measures the ability to recognise language that is appropriate for
standard written English. The Reading section uses passages to measure the
ability to understand non-technical reading material, but new tasks that
require the test taker to become more closely involved with the text have been
developed. The Writing section measures the person's ability to generate, organise
and support ideas using standard written English in an essay. The essay rating
is combined with the Structure section score to create a compiled
Structure/Writing scaled score. The essay rating constitutes one-half of the
Structure/Writing scaled score.
The computer-based test is reported on a
new score scale. This new score scale has been designed to distinguish scores
received on the computer-based TOEFL from those received on the paper-based
test. For the computer-based test, the examinee receives four scaled scores:
Listening (0 to 30), Structure/Writing (0 to 30), Reading (0 to 30), and a
total score (000 to 300). The three section scores and a total score are
reported on the score report. The essay rating is integrated in the
Structure/Writing score; in addition, the score on the essay is reported as an
independent rating on the report.
Students should be asked for at least 233,
or 250 or above for linguistically more demanding courses. 213 may be
acceptable for some courses. The score on the essay is reported as an
independent rating on a scale of 1 to 6, where a score of 4 is described as
demonstrating minimal competence in writing. A score of 4.5 or 5.0 should
normally be required or 5.5 if proficiency in writing is important.
2. Paper Based Test
The examination lasts for approximately
three hours. It is divided into three sections:
1. Listening comprehension (40 minutes -
50 items)
The Listening section consists of 3 parts.
The first one contains 30 questions about short conversations. The second part
has 8 questions about longer conversations. The last part asks 12 questions
about lectures or talks.
2. Structure and written expression (25
minutes - 40 items)
The Structure and Written Expression
section has 15 exercises of completing sentences correctly and 25 exercises of
identifying errors.
3. Vocabulary and reading comprehension
(45 minutes - 60 items).
The Reading Comprehension sections has 50
questions about reading passages.
TOEFL scores for each section are reported
on a scale that can range from 31 to 68. The scores are then scaled to give the
total score. TOEFL total scores are reported on a scale that can range from 310
- 677. British Universities usually ask for a score of 550 - 600 for entrance.
A test of written English is now available
(TWE) and can be taken at the same time as the main TOEFL. This is recommended.
The TWE is a 30 minute essay and tests the examinee's ability to perform
academic writing tasks similar to those required of university students. This
is one essay question with 250–300 words in average. The TWE score is reported
separately on a scale of 1 to 6 on the TOEFL score report. A score of 4 is
described as demonstrating minimal competence in writing. A score of 4.5 or 5.0
should normally be required. There is also a test of spoken English (TSE).
Students should be asked for at least 580,
or 600 (with a TWE score of 5.5) or above for linguistically more demanding
courses. 550 may be acceptable for some courses. The TWE should be required if
proficiency in writing is important.
NB In certain parts of the world, TOEFL
cram courses are available. These courses are successful in improving the student's
score by up to 50 points, without necessarily improving their English ability.
One solution is to always insist that the student takes TWE.
Refrence:
