I teach my own students that note-taking is a "hidden skill."
When candidates prepare for the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exam, they usually focus on grammar, speaking, writing, listening, and reading.
However, note-taking is an essential skill to hone during test preparation.
Indeed, knowledge of what is and is not important can save time and yield the crucial information you need to arrive at the precise answer you need!
Watch the following instructor help you decide how to approach note-taking and then what types of information to look for (or listen for!) when you are on the exam.
Good luck with your TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exam score!
Professor Winn, author of the
englishlanguagetestprep.com
blog, is a CELTA-certified English
instructor for more than 13 years, helping candidates to achieve their target
scores on the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exams.
Subscribeto one of the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exams to improve your
English and test skills.
These
are sound suggestions for candidates to be ready for the #TOEFL#Speaking.
✔I would skip "In my opinion" for
Question 1 though.
If you're speaking (and no
one else is), we know it's your opinion.
It's a
timing thing for me (and it's a bit redundant).
Time is
valuable, and how you manage your time on the TOEFL, especially in the Speaking
section, is crucial.
Anything
that you can do to conserve time helps you do well on the Speaking exam.
✔ The emphasis on confidence
(Be positive and upbeat) is noteworthy.
When I
work with candidates to maximize their score on the TOEFL exam, I take every
opportunity to offer encouragement and support.
A
positive attitude goes a long way in helping candidates conquer their doubts
and fears, especially if they are sitting the TOEFL exam for the first (and
hopefully last!) time.
✔The first point about having a plan cannot
be emphasized enough.
Formulating
and implementing your "game plan" on the exam is another significant
step in reaching your optimal score.
Good
luck with the TOEFL!
***
If
you're currently studying for a high score on the TOEFL exam, consider
subscribing to my email blog for more tips: https://englishlanguagetestprep.com/1
Professor Winn is a CELTA-certified English instructor for more than 13 years, helping candidates to maximize their scores on the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exam
Here's a plan to recall your word power when you need it most!
Research suggests you need to see a new vocabulary word 7 times before you remember it.
Stop!
Watch this video if you have trouble remembering your English terms for that high score you seek - and deserve - on the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS test.
Professor Winn, author of the
englishlanguagetestprep.com
blog, is a CELTA-certified English
instructor for more than 13 years, helping candidates to achieve their target
scores on the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exams.
Perhaps you want to study in an English-speaking country or need that promotion at the office.
I suggest you start three (3) months in advance to start preparing for TOEFL excellence.
Watch the following video to learn 7 more things to help you get ready for that high score you seek and deserve on the test!
Professor Winn, author of the englishlanguagetestprep.com blog, is a CELTA-certified
English instructor for more than 13 years, helping candidates to achieve their
target scores on the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exams.
Increase your English and
TOEFL skills. Subscribeto the TOEFL
Email Blog.
Don't miss this chance to build English Word Power!
Vocabulary is essential to a higher score on the TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exam.
Here's an English idiom - Cookie-Cutter - you can use in the Speaking sections of these three English fluency tests.
Professor Winn, author of the https://englishlanguagetestprep.com blog, is a CELTA-certified English instructor for
more than 13 years, helping candidates to achieve their target scores on the
TOEFL, TOEIC, or IELTS exams.
Increasing your vocabulary without doubt is the best move you can make when you need a high score on the IELTS or TOEFL exam.
Most folks probably think of big fancy words to impress the exam graders.
While "less common vocabulary," as the IELTS Rubric indicates, is important, so are two other types of vocabulary also mentioned (the same goes for the TOEFL):
collocations, idioms, and phrasal verbs
topical (education, environment, etc.)
Sometimes candidates are not aware just what "build vocabulary" means for these two exams.
The following shows you how to build better word power.
How to Build Vocabulary
There are two ways to build your word power - 1) directly and 2) indirectly.
Directly
Research shows that studying directly - using a text - leads to greater reading comprehension - one of the key benefits of increasing your word power for the exams.
One way is study a vocabulary text.
Given my over 12 years of experience assisting candidates to get their higher exam scores, I wrote my own vocabulary book with full definitions, examples, and sample sentences.
The terms are grouped by themes which research also shows makes it easier for acquisition of keywords.
A second way is to study electronic flash cards that you or others make like using the website - https://quizlet.com/.
Here are 10 words to get you started that I created flashcards:
A third way is to watch vocabulary videos on YouTube:
Save time and build your lexicon in the shortest time possible!
Indirectly
Here is the best - but slowest - way to increase your lexicon - READING.
Incidentally, reading widely and daily is a good way to be better prepared for the exam.
A good source is the USA Today newspaper. Notice the topics in the top menu. You can read about the general news, sports, finances, money, and life.
However, it is important to develop the following two habits to help you.
FIRST: Be sure to devote a notebook to your new terms you encounter while reading.
Top Tip: Don't stop reading every time you find a new word and look it up in the dictionary or thesaurus. Instead, try to guess the meaning of the word by its context.
This minimizes disruptions and allow you to enjoy your reading experience as well as builds understanding by making you concentrate and try to guess the meaning.
Here is video for setting up your vocabulary notebook.
SECOND: Get Friendly with a Dictionary and Thesaurus
Another Top Tip: Write two words before the target word and two or three words after so you can capture its context. Don't just write the target word because you need the context when you look up your words in a dictionary or thesaurus.
After you have finished your reading selection, review your terms.
One of the best dictionaries for US English is Merriam-Webster.
One of the best dictionaries for British English is Cambridge.
One of the best thesauri that I've recently discovered is Power Thesaurus.
Collocation, Idioms, and Phrasal Verbs
Candidates often have to study hard to master enough collocations, idioms, and phrasal verbs (CIP) to remember for the exams.
CIP is especially important for the Speaking Sections.
Remember - only use collocations on the Writing Sections because idioms and phrasal verbs are too informal for the writing tasks.
In a previous post, you learned about the second factor of TOEFL Success - confident preparation.
The third success factor is studying with a TOEFL professor.
But how?
Achieve a High Score with a TOEFL Professor
So, you want to study abroad, get a scholarship, or perhaps a promotion at the office.
For whatever reason, a high TOEFL score can propel forward your personal and professional goals.
However, like most worthwhile goals in life, there is a cost.
Studying for a high TOEFL score requires 3 essential investments:
1) Time
2) Energy
3) Money
Time
The TOEFL exam is expensive. No one wants to take the test until they are ready.
I usually advise my students to take at least three (3) months to strengthen both their TOEFL and English skills.
However, the length of time when you will be ready for the test depends on your current level of English skills.
While you probably have an idea, do you really know?
An evaluation of your English skills level can save you money later.
That is, once you know your true level of English, you can adjust your TOEFL preparation so you are ready by exam day.
You can reserve a TOEFL Speaking and Writing Evaluation to get a pre-test review of your skills.
The length of TOEFL preparation is also tied to your stamina for completing your study.
Energy
Our daily lives are full of events and choices.
During your period of TOEFL preparation, you must find the strength to maintain a rigorous study schedule despite work, family and/or social activities.
You're in training for a special mission - getting the highest score possible on exam day.
You need both the time and energy to increase your TOEFL exam and English skills.
Whether you work or study for four or five classes every week, your level of energy can flag.
However, maintaining your TOEFL study progress is a key part of your success on exam day.
Do you really need to sleep an extra hour or can you push forward to study another chapter of TOEFL vocabulary?
Remember - the TOEFL exam is more than three (3) hours long. You need to develop the stamina to study for the exam during your preparation period.
Your higher energy level will better prepare you for the challenge on exam day.
Money
Finally, few worthwhile deeds do not require an investment of money.
Students have a better chance to achieve their desired scores when they practice with a native English TOEFL instructor.
How serious are you?
Sure, I'm a TOEFL instructor and I'd like to work with you to help.
However, in my over 12 years of experience helping candidates to notch their target TOEFL score, those who do not work with an instructor often have to take the test again - and again - to succeed.
As noted above, the TOEFL is expensive and my philosophy has always been - take the test once and get your score!
A wise investment of money in working with a TOEFL instructor can help you smartly study for the exam and possibly shorten the time needed to prepare.
