Dear Coyome,
It really depends on what you need to improve, and to what extent. By
"what you need to improve", I mean that there are several parts to
TOEFL (grammar/structure, reading, listening, writing, and soon to be
introduced on the iBT - also speaking), and it is possible that your
level is appropriate on some levels, while weaker on others. To check
what are your weaknesses and strengths (having not done the test yet),
you can use sample exam questions. You can find such sample exam
questions, and practice them:
- The ETS, running the TEOFL, can send you (for free + shipping and
handling), a CD, containing some exercises for the test. This is an
option you have to choose when registering to sit this exam. More
information at:
TOEFL Home
<http://www.toefl.org/>
- They also offer, for a fee, a more comprehensive practice site, available at:
TOEFL Practice
<http://toeflpractice.ets.org/>
- If you find it more comfortable to exercise from a book, they also
offer a book, available through stores such as Amazon.com:
ETS, TOEFL Test Preparation Kit (Book and CD ROM).
- Free TOEFL exercises are also available from:
(1) Free TOEFL
<http://www.free-toefl.com/>
(2) Stuff.co.uk
<http://www.stuff.co.uk/toefl.htm>
- You can also use an exercise book, and do one (or more) of their
sample exams to know more about your level, and where you need
improvement. I personally recommend one of the following:
Kaplan:
- TOEFL iBT with CD-ROM
- TOEFL CBT Exam with CD-ROM
- TOEFL Paper-and-Pencil
- TOEFL Listening Practice
Cambridge:
- Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL? Test Book with CD-ROM
Longman:
- Longman Complete Course for the TOEFL Test: Preparation for the
Computer and Paper Tests
Peterson
- Peterson's TOEFL Success 2005
These book, or the online exercises could help you in your next stage.
After determining where you need more improvement, you can choose the
way to improve your score.
If your problem is mostly with grammar and structure, using exercises
from exercise book is the thing that would help the most. However, if
your grammar/structure is really bad, consider taking a course (or
private tutoring, if you can afford that), that would explain basic
grammar to you. Some TOEFL books concentrate on the grammar/structure
part:
- Phyllis Lim, Grammar Workbook for the Toefl Exam
- Milada Broukal, In-A-Flash Grammar for the TOEFL Test
If the problem is with listening comprehension, a course would be even
more advised. The general practice books have CD-ROMs with the audio
parts, and that, too, can help you prepare. However, there are ways to
enhance (in general) your listening comprehension. For example, you
can start listening to radio in English online, such as VOA (Voice of
America) news:
VOA
<http://www.voanews.com/english/index.cfm>
VOA News - Special English
<http://www.voanews.com/specialenglish/index.cfm> - news in easier
English, if you find the regular version too intense.
If the problem if with reading comperhension, it is most likely a
problem of vocabulary. One option in this case is, again, to practice
through books. For example:
- KAPLAN SUCCESS WITH WORDS FOR THE TOEFL : THE ENGLISH VOCABULARY
GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
- Elizabeth Davy, et al, Reading and Vocabulary Workbook for the Toefl Exam
- Peterson's Toefl Word Flash: The Quick Way to Build Vocabulary Power
However, the best way to learn new vocabulary, is to read English
regularly, and not to use some special exercise book. Publications,
which include the type of "difficult words" that might appear on
TOEFL, include:
- The New York Times
<http://www.nytimes.com/>
- The Washington Post
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/>
- The Economist
<http://www.economist.com/> - highly recommended for vocabulary
building, although it is a British publication and TOEFL checks
American English.
- National Geographic Magazine
<http://www.nationalgeographic.com/>
Naturally, also books, especially non-fiction books, could help with this task.
If your problem is mostly with the writing or the speaking parts, I'd
suggest taking a course or a tutor. These parts cannot really be
assessed or learnt on your own, and if you are totally insecure in
either or both, it would be best to take a tutor.
Nevertheless, there are also some online services providing guidance,
correction, etc.:
Get TOEFL
<http://www.gettoefl.com/twe/essay.htm>
Get TOEFL also offers speaking practice
<http://www.gettoefl.com/toefl-speaking.htm>
There are also some books, for example:
- Barron's How to Prepare for the TOEFL Essay
- Charles C. Park , Mastering the New TOEFL Speaking-TSE
- Basically, any book preparing for the iBT ("next generation") would
include tips for the speaking part (recommended, as mentioned before:
Kaplan, Longman)
I hope this answers your question. Please contact me if you need any
clarification on this answer before you rate it. I mostly relied here
on my vast experience in the field of ESL, but also searched for terms
such as [TOEFL free], [TOEFL essay (or any other part of the exam].
Good luck! |
