Compared to the old – both computer-based and paper-based – version, the new TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) includes a whole new section testing speaking skills, pays great attention to context with a focus on academic situations, and focuses on critical thinking skills. The test also has a new emphasis on checking note-taking ability.
Thus, TOEFL has transformed from an instrument for measuring knowledge about the language into an instrument for measuring knowledge of the language. Now it examines how well the test taker knows the language in order to study and communicate with instructors and other students, take notes on lectures, expand on a topic just read, and argue against a heard situation.
The new content of the test also dictated its name. Now TOEFL is not simply an English as a foreign language test, but the TOEFL iBT – based on internet technologies.
Let us now look at what is inside the new test.
Reading (Reading). This section has three passages consisting of thirteen lines. They can present messages on scientific, social, or humanities topics. For example, it could be a piece of text on the origin and meaning of cave paintings.
New in this part of the test is the choice of the best paraphrase of a set of expressions from the proposed options. Thus the candidate must determine for what purpose certain phrases were included in the text. Questions have also been added that determine the test taker's ability to draw conclusions. Thus the main task of the reading section is to determine understanding of the structure of the text and the ability to think critically. During this part of the test, you will need to answer 36-70 questions. The time to complete is 60 to 100 minutes.
Listening (Listening). This part of the exam includes two conversations (of 10 sentences each) and four academic lectures (of 24 sentences each). You can listen to the tasks only once. The speaker can speak not only in American English, but also have a British or Australian accent.
The content of the conversations relates to educational and everyday topics. For example, asking a librarian for help in selecting necessary literature. Lectures can cover any subject, say biology or business, and include completely unfamiliar information. Listening includes 34 to 51 questions that require comprehensive answers.
New in this section of the test are the duration of the audio (2-5 minutes), the content (educational, everyday, and scientific topics), and the lexical content. The latter can be concentrated on the content of the statement, the structure of the lecture, or briefly reflect the essence of a phenomenon and its consequences. This task is allocated 60-90 minutes.
Section "Oral Speech" (Speaking) is completely new. It has six tasks, most of which involve listening to statements or questions lasting 15-30 seconds, with answers taking 45-60 seconds depending on difficulty. All the work must be done in 20 minutes.
The first two questions are usually not difficult to understand. They ask candidates to describe or express a personal opinion on topics such as studying or student life.
The next two tasks are integrated. You need to read a text, listen to related information, and do not forget to make some notes. Then the test taker must explain the connection between the two passages, relying on the notes made. For example, it could be a text about an increase in tuition fees and a related discussion between two students. The task is to summarize their opinions and explain your own point of view.
The last tasks consist of listening to a text and providing your own summarized answer, or, if the candidate gets a lecture, an explanation.
The most important thing in this part of the exam is that all tasks must be completed very quickly. Therefore, without proper preparation, it will be very difficult to meet the time limit.
Writing (Writing). This section of the test consists of two parts. As in the previous version of the test, it includes an essay that must be written in 30 minutes. In an essay of 300 words, based on your life experience, you need to develop a certain topic.
But the first task is completely new and was not used in the old version. It requires integrated skills. You need to read a text of academic content, listen to a lecture related to this topic, and then express in writing your doubts about the lecture you heard. The test taker is given 20 minutes to express their thoughts.
The main thing for completing this task is expressing your critical thinking. In order to get high scores, you need to note the main points of the material, explain them, compare them with others, and reflect the contrast between the two texts.
Sample tasks are available on the website toefl.org
Changes have also occurred in the scoring system. The new TOEFL iBT is now measured by the following scores:
Listening - 0-30
Reading - 0-30
Speaking - 0-30
Writing - 0-30 Total score - 0-120
Thus, if the maximum on the old TOEFL was 300 points, now the maximum is 120.
Based on materials from
ЦМК «Парта»