TOEFL
― Course Offering ―
TOEFL®
TOEFL® is an English proficiency test created by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), designed to evaluate the English skills of non-native English speakers. For non-native English speakers, it is one of the main required qualifications for studying in North America. The exam is conducted digitally with computers, and is held monthly throughout the year.
TOEFL® Exam Sections
TOEFL comprises four sections, namely reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
- The reading section takes approximately 54-72 minutes to complete. It consists of three or four academic articles, each of them around 700-800 words in length. There are 10 questions for each article. These articles are typically similar to textbook articles, covering topics such as arts, biology, science, and many other areas of studies. Jargons and technical terms are commonly used in these articles, and the questions may test your understanding of synonyms, or require you to comprehend inexplicit concepts based on the context given.
- The listening section takes approximately 41-57 minutes to complete. It consists of 2-3 conversations, mostly related to campus life, and 3-4 lectures. There are 5 questions for each conversation, and 6 for each lecture.
- The speaking section takes approximately 17 minutes to complete. There are four main tasks to be completed. The first task requires you to discuss their thoughts and opinions on a certain topic based on your personal experiences. The second and third tasks require you to read a given article and listen to a related pre-recorded conversation. You will then answer questions based on the given materials. The third task requires you to listen to a pre-recorded lecture and summarise or compare the main points of the recording. You will be given 15-30 seconds to understand the questions before starting each task. Taking notes with pen and paper is allowed.
- The writing section takes approximately 30 minutes to complete, and consists of two tasks. You will be given three minutes to read an article for the first task, followed by a speech of approximately two minutes. You are then required to write an essay of between 150 and 225 words within 20 minutes, discussing the relationship between the article and the speech, which typically have opposing stances. The second task requires you to discuss your personal opinion on a certain topic, supported with solid reasoning and examples. You will be given 30 minutes to complete this essay of about 300 words.
TOEFL®
Grading System
Why Study for TOEFL®
at VALOUR?
In TOEFL®, each of the sections has a maximum score of 30. All scores are added up for a maximum total score of up to 120. The listening and reading sections are marked by computers, while the writing and speaking sections are graded by a group of professional examiners. Different universities may require different TOEFL® scores upon application. It is recommended for you to get at least 90-100 scores when applying for top 50 universities in the US. Some universities also require a minimum score for each individual section, which means you will not only need to improve your overall score, but also make sure that you get satisfactory results for all four sections. Therefore, it is advised that you find out beforehand the TOEFL® requirements of the universities you are planning to apply for, which helps you to set a reasonable goal when preparing.
Note: TOEFL® introduced the MyBest® scores system in August 2019, which combines all valid TOEIC® scores of the test taker in the last two years, and lists the best score for each section as MyBest® score. Similar to individual TOEIC® scores, all scores can be added up for a total score too.
The TOEFL® course offered by VALOUR Education aims to strengthen the pupils’ overall English skill, rather than just preparing them for yet another exam. We educate our pupils with different approaches based on their potential and capabilities, motivated by a series of practical short-term goals. Speaking practices done throughout the entire course can improve the pupil’s fluency and self-confidence when speaking, and most importantly their actual English speaking skills, which is vital for living overseas. We want our pupils to be good at not just studies, but also at expressing themselves.
Phase 1: Understanding exam questions and strategies
- Understanding the exam format of IELTS and how to solve them
- Learn the strategies used to answer the questions and how to study them even at home
Phase 2: Overall improvement of English skills
- Finding a learning method that is suitable for the pupil. Building a solid foundation for all subjects.
- Learn to analyse questions with logic instead of formulas as taught by other institutions.
Phase 3: Strengthening weaknesses
- Strengthening weaker subjects after mastering the IELTS® exam format.
- Cultivate self-confidence and time control during tests.
- Mock test and essay writing exercises.
TOEFL® Grading System
In TOEFL®, each of the sections has a maximum score of 30. All scores are added up for a maximum total score of up to 120. The listening and reading sections are marked by computers, while the writing and speaking sections are graded by a group of professional examiners. Different universities may require different TOEFL® scores upon application. It is recommended for you to get at least 90-100 scores when applying for top 50 universities in the US. Some universities also require a minimum score for each individual section, which means you will not only need to improve your overall score, but also make sure that you get satisfactory results for all four sections. Therefore, it is advised that you find out beforehand the TOEFL® requirements of the universities you are planning to apply for, which helps you to set a reasonable goal when preparing.
Note: TOEFL® introduced the MyBest® scores system in August 2019, which combines all valid TOEIC® scores of the test taker in the last two years, and lists the best score for each section as MyBest® score. Similar to individual TOEIC® scores, all scores can be added up for a total score too.
Why Study for TOEFL® at VALOUR?
The TOEFL® course offered by VALOUR Education aims to strengthen the pupils’ overall English skill, rather than just preparing them for yet another exam. We educate our pupils with different approaches based on their potential and capabilities, motivated by a series of practical short-term goals. Speaking practices done throughout the entire course can improve the pupil’s fluency and self-confidence when speaking, and most importantly their actual English speaking skills, which is vital for living overseas. We want our pupils to be good at not just studies, but also at expressing themselves.
Phase 1: Understanding exam questions and strategies
- Understanding the exam format of IELTS and how to solve them
- Learn the strategies used to answer the questions and how to study them even at home
Phase 2: Overall improvement of English skills
- Finding a learning method that is suitable for the pupil. Building a solid foundation for all subjects.
- Learn to analyse questions with logic instead of formulas as taught by other institutions.
Phase 3: Strengthening weaknesses
- Strengthening weaker subjects after mastering the IELTS® exam format.
- Cultivate self-confidence and time control during tests.
- Mock test and essay writing exercises.
TOEFL® V.S. IELTS®
Is TOEFL or IELTS the better option? This is a question many who plan to study abroad couldn’t help but wonder. While both exams are equally recognised across the world, there are quite some differences between them.
| IELTS | TOFEL | |
| Test Subjects | Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing | |
| Test Time | 2-3hours | 3-4hours |
| Test Method |
Computer or physical tests | Computer tests |
| Grading System | A score of 1-9 for each of the four subjects. Average score of all subjects is calculated as the total score, rounded to the nearest band score. | A score of 0-30 for each of the four subjects. All scores are added up for the total score. |
| Effective For | 2 years | |
| Best Suited For | Usually institutions in the US and the UK | Usually institutions in the US |
Different universities and institutions may accept different tests. It is therefore advised that you find out the specific requirements of your preferred university or region before applying for either.
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