What is the TOEFL Test?
10 November 2008
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is used to measure how well students can speak, write, and communicate in English. It is most commonly used by American colleges to determine whether or not students from other countries have sufficient English language skills to succeed in their programs. Currently, the test is accepted by over 6,000 colleges in hundreds of countries – in fact, many colleges even offer a TOEFL testing center right on campus.
The test comes in two formats – online and in print – depending on the testing agency where the test is taken. During the test, students are expected to complete separate sections on reading, speaking, listening, and writing. This varies from other standardized tests in that most others only judge students on two or three of the four areas. Fortunately though, on the TOEFL, one piece of information may be used on more than one section. For example, a student might be able to read a short story, write a paper on what it was about, and then give a verbal explanation and answer questions from the instructor.
As with all the other common standardized tests, many companies offer prep books and software to help students prepare for the TOEFL. Students may also be able to take TOEFL prep courses or work with private tutors, although these services can be expensive. Fortunately, students who register to take the TOEFL are given access to a free practice test to take before the real thing. The practice exam simulates the different types of questions you’ll encounter on the real test, so you’ll be better prepared for the actual exam.
One thing about the TOELF test that many students appreciate is the ability to retake the test within seven days if you aren’t happy with your score. The cost to take the test varies in price, depending on your location and testing center, and you may wind up paying extra fees if you need to reschedule or postpone the test. The schedule for testing varies by location as well – some locations offer the test weekly, while others have it available throughout the year. Most testing centers guarantee to offer the test at least 13 times per year.
Many students who have taken the TOEFL say they appreciate what the test can do for them in their collegiate careers. College interviews are tough enough already, but foreign students may find it even more nerve-wracking if they feel they are being judged on the ability to speak properly and communicate effectively. These situations can actually cause some students to stumble in their speech patterns because they are so nervous. With the TOELF test, students are able to prove they can complete the task at hand and learn effectively in a completely English-speaking environment, even if they botch the interview process.
The test is also used by employers in some cases when they consider using foreign employees or consultants in areas that require English be spoken. For example, if you’re a non-native speaker looking for work in a customer service based position that requires you to speak English; you may be required to take the TOEFL test. Some companies test foreign employees on their ability to work in English-speaking countries before hiring them, while others test current employees before promotions and transfers.
Avoiding Tricky English Grammar Mistakes
17 October 2008
If you’ve already dedicated hundreds of hours to learning English as a second language, you know how tricky it can be. Once you’re comfortable with the basic sentence structure, you’re confronted with a dozen different exceptions and variations – and you’re expected to know when and when not to use each one! If you’re feeling frustrated with this sometimes unfriendly language, consider the following article to be a cheat sheet to some of the most confusing English language issues you’ll face.
Accept vs. Except
The words affect and effect sound so similar, and yet each word carries a different meaning and should be used in different situations. Accept means to receive, so you’d use it in a situation where you’re being given anything from a gift to praise for a job well done. For example, “I accept the promotion, Mr. Smith,” is the correct way to use this word. Except, on the other hand, means to leave out or to exclude – for example, “I’ll take all the shirts, except the blue one,” is a correct sentence.
Good vs. Well
This is another tricky word choice, and don’t be ashamed if you make a few mistakes with it – many Americans get this wrong everyday! The key to determining which word to use lies in recognizing that good is an adjective (it describes nouns or pronouns), while well is an adverb (describing verbs) in almost all cases. Suppose, for example, that you’re describing a cup of coffee, which is a noun. A correct sentence would read, “The coffee tasted good this morning.” On the other hand, if you’re describing Melissa’s skill as a writer, you might say, “Melissa writes well”, using the word well to describe the verb writes.
Its vs. It’s
When determining whether or not to use its or it’s in a sentence, try to remember that it’s is actually the contraction of the phrase “it is”. Therefore, it would make no sense to say, “The dog went back to its home,” which would be read as “The dog went back to it is home.” Even in cases where the word its becomes possessive – for example, “The book fell from its shelf,” – it’s still incorrect to use the hyphenated contraction.
Lay vs. Lie
The difference between the words lay and lie is very subtle – technically, the word lay is a transitive verb, while the word lie is an intransitive verb. However, to make things easier, try to remember that the word lay means to place something down and that you are the one exerting action on something else in this case. For example, the sentence, “I will lay the pan in the sink” is correct, as you are performing an action on the pan. On the other hand, the word lie means to recline or be placed – nothing else is exerting force on the object. In this case, the sentence, “I will lie down on the bed” is correct, since there’s nothing else exerting force on me.
Who vs. Whom
Who and whom are two pronouns that can be very difficult to keep straight, since determining which one to use requires you to identify the proper case of the noun being replaced. When you replace a noun with a nominative pronoun (I, you, we, he, she, they, etc.), you should use the word who, as in the sentence, “Who did that?” In this case, you can replace the word who with any of the nominative pronouns and it would still make sense. On the other hand, if you replaced the word who with an objective pronoun (me, him, her, it, them, etc.), the sentence could read, “Him did that”, which clearly makes no sense. Use the word whom whenever the sentence could be correctly modified using an objective pronoun.
Picking Up English Slang
10 October 2008
As if the English language wasn’t hard enough already, with its contractions, pronunciation rules and complicated grammatical structure – now you’ve got to pick up English slang, too? Unfortunately, if you want to sound like a native English speaker, you’re going to need to dedicate some time to mastering the more advanced forms of expression, including slang words and phrases. Read on for a brief overview of some of the most commonly used slang expressions and their meanings:
At the end of your rope – Frustrated, running out of patience
Back to the drawing board – Starting over, investigating new ideas
Barking up the wrong tree – Misinformed, misunderstood
Basket case – Overly excited, hysterical
Blow off steam – Release tension, relax
Couch potato – Lazy, lethargic
Cut and dry – Clear, obvious
D’oh – An expression of frustration, as popularized by the television show The Simpsons
Downer – Something depressing that makes one sad
Dressed to the nines – Well dressed, stylishly attired
Early bird – From the proverb, “the early bird gets the worm”, referring to a prompt, timely person
Egghead – A smart person, someone with above-average intelligence
Gibberish – Nonsensical expressions
Go off the deep end – To go crazy, to lose control
Gumshoe – A detective or private investigator
Have a screw loose – To act crazy or in an abnormal fashion
Hit the road – A request to leave, a dismissal
Hole in the wall – A neighborhood establishment, a small, simple place that isn’t widely known
In the slammer – In jail, incarcerated
Jump ship – To leave a particular situation in search of a more favorable alternative
Knocked up – Pregnant
Knuckle sandwich – A punch
Love handles – The flabby areas around the hips and thighs
Mosey along – To move slowly away, walking casually
Not my cup of tea – Something you don’t approve of, or don’t take part in
On cloud nine – Happy, ecstatic
Pack heat – To carry a concealed weapon
Pig out – To consume more food than necessary, to stuff yourself with food
Psyched – Excited, eager
Pump iron – To lift weights, to exercise
Ride shotgun – To ride in the front passenger seat of a vehicle
Rookie – Someone who’s new at something, a beginner
Shoot hoops – To play basketball
Snail mail – Traditional postal mail
Tightie-whities – Men’s underwear briefs
Wishy washy – Indecisive, frequently flip-flopping between ideas
Wrong side of the tracks – Someone raised in a less privileged atmosphere, living in poor conditions
Yap – Your mouth
Yuppie – From the phrase “Young Urban Professionals”, typically denotes young people that make a lot of money and spend it on extravagant luxury items
Now, don’t just go out there and start throwing these words around randomly. Listen for slang phrases in native English speakers’ conversations and try to get a feel for how they’re used naturally. Practice using these phrases at home in a few sentences before you try them out in public so that you’re more familiar with how the words and phrases feel on the tongue. If you happen to come across an expression you aren’t familiar with, ask a friend or consult an internet resource, like the UrbanDictionary.com. Before you know it, you’ll be comfortable enough with these phrases to start throwing them around in regular conversations.
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