Welcome to Advanced English (Test-taking 1). This class focuses on two things: the basics of testing and actual .
Test Theory
Class 1: April 13, 2011
Reminiscing about tests ...
Class 3: April 27, 2011
Today we'll be talking about vocabulary acquisition. First, consider how you study (or don't study) vocabulary. What are good points and bad points of doing so?
Next, let's visit Tom Cobb's vocabulary page. This is a website devoted to measuring a learner's approximate productive vocabulary level ... let's take Version A today.
For next week, your homework has two parts. First, check in some detail the structures of the TOEFL and the TOEIC. For example, how many different kinds of TOEFL test are available? Why might ITS have developed so many different forms?
Class 4: May 11, 2011
Please read this article on types of narrative and then write a reaction paper (about a page in length). (Hint: if you plan to write using a computer, take a look at the "Computer paper guidelines" in the Reference material on this page.)
Class 5: May 18, 2011
Here is a long list of possible TOEFL essay topics from ETS, the TOEFL people.
Your homework this week: Choose one topic from the list of possible TOEFL topics and write an essay on that topic.
Practice material
This is a link to a TOEFL prep class that I taught a couple years ago. You're welcome to take a look and use the materials.
Your Final Project
Indeed, you are required to write a paper for your final project. The general topic is, of course, testing, and the details are as follows:
- Check the list of possible topics and choose one. You may also negotiate a different testing topic with me.
- The paper will be a total of five pages in the style explained in the "Computer paper guidelines" handout.
- Your paper will include a title page and a reference section (thus, 3-4 pages of text).
- The deadline is June 29 (during final exam week).