How to Preparation for the TOEFL Exam

Linguists all around the world acknowledge that English is one of the most difficult languages to learn. For a non-native speaker to learn the intricacies of a language, he must be immersed in a region where he is constantly bombarded with advertisements, radio and television, music and conversation. The more an individual is directly influenced by characteristics of that language, the more likely he is to pick up not only formal and conversational qualities of native speakers, but also the informal nuisances and gestures that help them transition into a more natural way of speaking.

Things You'll Need

• journal or diary
• computer
• TOEFL practice exam
• Magazines
• Books
• Newspapers
• TV
• Radio
• Lyrical music

Instructions

The Paper Trail

1. Prepare for the Test of English as a Foreign Language by taking a practice test. Establish where your studies will begin so you can monitor your progress. Test preparation guides alone will not help you succeed, but you can use them as reference points to find out what you need to place more emphasis on while preparing. Search for a test that includes some kind of interactive skill-building program requiring the use of a computer.

2. Create a language reference journal you will use to record all notes and idiomatic expressions you come across. Write down phrases and words that you discover while reading, studying or in class. Practice writing simple sentences at first, work your way up to writing dialogue and eventually incorporate all of these practices into writing concise, informative or creative documentation.

3. Using the information from your practice test, organize your journal according to the four areas in which you will be tested: listening comprehension, grammar, reading and written essay. Record all notes and information in your journal in English to familiarize yourself with key words, techniques and expressions to improve your responses.

4. In a location or place you frequent, find a native English speaker to serve as your conversation partner. Tell the person that you are preparing for the TOEFL exam, and you want someone to help you with pronunciation and grammar of the language. Even if you cannot find one partner, you should speak English as frequently as possible each day until your exam.

5. Take advantage of print materials such as magazines, books, newspapers, textbooks and advertisements. Gather a collection of print sources that you can use to establish a daily practice of language. Read as much as you can to familiarize yourself with sentence structure, verb conjugation and the elements of storytelling used in the English language.

References

• Tips on Preparing For the TOEFL