May 2012
5 posts
4 tags
Studying for the U.S. Naturalization Interview?
The National Museum of American History and USCIS have created a new tool for studying for the naturalization interview. http://americanhistory.si.edu/citizenship/ For personal tutoring* for your interview and improving your English, contact me here. I offer classes online via Skype or in person in Greenville, SC. *NOTE: Instruction does not include or constitute legal advice. Please consult...
May 25th
8 tags
Pronunciation Tips: Using Phrasing on the Speaking...
Here’s the latest podcast! Listen to Podcast Here is the script for the sample independent speaking response* you will hear as you listen. The appropriate places for pauses are marked with this forward slash (/).  I prefer exercising outdoors / First / I spend my whole week at work inside / and the weekend / is my only chance / to see nature / My desk at work / is in a small cubicle with no...
May 22nd
6 tags
All Things ESL sponsoring a new Greenville English...
If you are new to Greenville and need free English conversation practice click the picture below and join our meetup group!  
May 22nd
4 tags
Pronunciation Tips: Using Linking on the Speaking...
Here’s the latest podcast! Listen to Podcast Here are the examples* you will hear as you listen: Example of Consonant-Vowel Linking Can I turn on the TV now?  Can I becomes Ca-ni turn on becomes tur-non Example of Vowel-Vowel Linking  Who is going with Jack to the party? I am.  Who is becomes who-wis I am becomes I-yam *pronunciation examples are given in American English  ...
May 10th
1 note
4 tags
Pronunciation Tips: Using Contractions and...
Here’s the latest podcast!  Listen to Podcast  Here are some questions to answer while you listen: What are some contractions? Why should you use contractions? What are reductions? What are some examples of reductions? Join my online classes. Click here to request more information. 
May 2nd
April 2012
3 posts
1 tag
How does my TOEFL® test relate to other English...
Sometimes students ask me how their TOEFL® test score compares with other scores for English tests. The same company that made the TOEFL® test publishes a helpful tool online which compares  TOEFL® test scores to IELTS and CEFR scores. Click here for a link to that website.  If you need help or have other questions about the test, join my online classes. Click here to request more information. 
Apr 18th
2 tags
The Grading Rubric for the Speaking Section of the...
Students ask me sometimes about how they will be graded on the Speaking Section of the TOEFL® test. You don’t have to wonder. The company that made the test publishes the grading rubric online. Click here to see it.  You are graded on three areas: delivery, language use, and topic development. If you’d like help improving your score on one or all three areas. Join my online...
Apr 17th
3 tags
Pronunciation Tips: Sentence Stress on the...
Here’s the latest podcast!  Listen to Podcast  Here are some questions to answer while you listen: What is delivery? What is sentence stress? Which kind of words do you usually stress in English: content or function? Why is sentence stress important on the speaking section? Join my online classes. Click here to request more information. 
Apr 15th
March 2012
2 posts
3 tags
Listening: Categorizing and Summarizing Questions...
Here’s the latest podcast!  Listen to Podcast  Here are some questions to answer while you listen: What are categorizing and summarizing questions focusing on ? What are clues you can listen for in the lecture that will help you on the summarizing questions? What were the 7 steps in the lecture?  How many summarizing or categorizing questions are on each listening passage?  Join my...
Mar 29th
1 note
Note Taking Skills on the Reading and Listening...
Many ESL students struggle to take notes while listening. And note taking is an important skill to master for the TOEFL iBT®. Here are some great links to note taking methods, tips, and practice. Happy studying! Methods General Tips Specific Tips for Note Taking when Reading Specific Tips for Note Taking when Listening Intermediate Listening Practice Advanced Listening Practice: NPR ...
Mar 27th
February 2012
2 posts
2 tags
Organizing your Speaking Responses: Questions 5
If you organize your speaking responses your response will be clearer and easier to understand. Here are some suggested phrases and organization for Question 5 on the Speaking Section of the TOEFL® test. Just finish each sentence with information from the task. Q5: For this question type you will listen to a conversation between a student and another person at the university. Usually the student...
Feb 29th
2 notes
2 tags
Small Changes to the TOEFL iBT® Reading Section
In case you hadn’t heard, there have been some small changes to the reading section of the test. Here is a link to the official announcement about the update to the reading section of the test. 
Feb 8th
1 note
January 2012
3 posts
4 tags
Listening: Prediction Questions on the TOEFL iBT™
Here’s the latest podcast!  Listen to Podcast  Here are some questions to answer while you listen: What is prediction? What are the conversations usually about on the listening section? What are some questions to think about during the listening? What do you think John will do to improve his grade? Join my online classes. Click here to request more information. 
Jan 31st
4 tags
Campus Vocabulary
For the Listening and Speaking sections of the TOEFL iBT™ it’s important to be familiar with common American campus vocabulary. Here is a quick quiz about the names of places on an American university campus: Where should the student go on campus? Read the student’s problem and then match it with the office he needs to go to. 1.       I need to find out if I can get a scholarship to help...
Jan 25th
3 notes
3 tags
Reading Section: Using Context Clues to Answer...
Introduction Imagine you are kidnapped and blindfolded. The kidnappers make you withdrawal all your money from the bank. Then they put you in a car and drive you far away and leave you somewhere. After they drive away, you remove your blindfold. No one is around and you have no idea where you are. How would you discover where you were? Context Clues In the situation above you would use context...
Jan 18th
3 notes
December 2011
2 posts
2 tags
Make Your Independent Speaking Response...
You are graded on three areas of your speaking: Delivery (pronunciation, pausing, intonation, etc.), Grammar & Vocabulary (variety of sentences, correct vocab use, advanced vocabulary, etc), and Topic Development.  To score well on questions 1 and 2 you need to speak well in all of these areas. Here are three tips to help you do well with grammar, vocabulary and topic development.  1. Use...
Dec 29th
4 notes
3 tags
Listening: Inference Questions on the TOEFL iBT™
Here’s the latest podcast!  Listen to Podcast  Here are some questions to answer while you listen: What is inference? What is indirect speech? What should you listen for to help you make inferences? Think of reasons we use indirect speech Join my online classes at www.edufire.com/allthingsesl or click here to request a class using Skype. 
Dec 2nd
2 notes
November 2011
3 posts
3 tags
Organizing your Speaking Responses: Question 3
If you organize your speaking responses your response will be clearer and easier to understand. Here are some suggested phrases and organization for question 3 on the speaking section of the TOEFL® test. Just finish each sentence with information from the task. Q3: For this question type you read an announcement or notice about a change at a university. Then you listen to a conversation about the...
Nov 14th
7 notes
3 tags
Listening: Attitude & Purpose Questions on the...
Here’s the latest podcast! Sorry I haven’t posted one in a few weeks. Listen to Podcast  Here are some questions to answer while you listen: What is the attitude of a speaker? What are some clues that can help you understand a speaker’s attitude? What are some purposes a speaker could have? What are some things you can focus on as you listen for attitude and purpose? Join...
Nov 11th
2 tags
Organizing your Speaking Responses: Questions 1 &...
If you organize your speaking responses your response will be clearer and easier to understand. Here are some suggested phrases and organization for questions 1 and 2 on the speaking section of the TOEFL® test. Just finish each sentence with information from the task. Q1-Q2: Remember for these question types you are giving your opinion about a topic or you are choosing one of two options and...
Nov 10th
5 notes
September 2011
5 posts
2 tags
Websites to Practice Academic Listening
Here are some websites I recommend for academic listening. If you are preparing for a test like the TOEFL® test, try listening to one of these lectures and taking notes as you listen. Start with a short lecture or only listen to part of one. Don’t listen to more than 10 minutes to begin with.  After you listen try to summarize the main ideas from the lecture to a friend in English.  ...
Sep 25th
13 notes
3 tags
Listening: Detail Questions on the TOEFL iBT™
Listen to Podcast  Here are some questions to answer while you listen: What are details? Give a list of different kinds of details. What are some words that begin detail questions? Are you allowed to take notes on the test? What is one way you can improve your listening? Join my online classes at www.edufire.com/allthingsesl or click here to request a class using Skype. 
Sep 25th
4 notes
3 tags
Listening: Main Idea Questions on the TOEFL iBT™
Listen to Podcast  Here are some questions to answer while you listen: What are main ideas? Where will you hear the main ideas in a lecture? What are some common transitions?  How can you identify incorrect answers? What is the difference between a main idea and a detail? Join my online classes at www.edufire.com/allthingsesl or click here to request a class using Skype. 
Sep 18th
11 notes
Example Writing Questions and Responses
Here is a link to some example writing questions and responses published by ETS® for the TOEFL® Test: Click Here For more help studying join my online classes at www.edufire.com/allthingsesl or click here to request a class using Skype. 
Sep 8th
3 tags
Writing Independent Task on the TOEFL iBT™ Test
Listen to Podcast  Here are some questions to answer while you listen: What kind of essay is the independent essay? How many paragraphs is the essay? What are the three stages for writing?  How can you manage your time on this task? What is revising? Join my online classes at www.edufire.com/allthingsesl or click here to request a class using Skype. 
Sep 8th
2 notes
August 2011
5 posts
3 tags
Writing Integrated Task on the TOEFL iBT™ Test
Listen to Podcast  Here are the writing structures mentioned in the podcast: Block Introduction Body Paragraph 1: Summarizes Reading Body Paragraph 2: Summarizes Listening and compares/contrasts the main points with points in the reading. Conclusion Point-by-Point Introduction Body Paragraph 1: Main point from reading compared or contrasted with main point from the listening. Body...
Aug 31st
5 notes
Integrated Speaking Practice
Here is a post that will help you with your integrated speaking. This question is similar to Question 6 on the Speaking Section of the TOEFL® Test. The main difference from the real test is that you don’t actually watch the lecturer while he/she is speaking, you only listen.  Integrated Speaking Practice:  Listen to this lecture: Finding planets around other stars by Lucianne Walkowicz ...
Aug 21st
3 tags
Speaking Question Types on the TOEFL iBT™ Test:...
Listen to Podcast Here are some questions to answer while you listen: What kind of listening do you hear for tasks 4 and 6?  Which task has a textbook reading? What does each question ask you to do?  What is the time limit for the tasks? You are graded according to three categories. What are they? Join my online classes at www.edufire.com/allthingsesl or click here to request a class using...
Aug 17th
7 notes
3 tags
Speaking Question Types on the TOEFL iBT™ Test:...
Listen to Podcast Here are some questions to answer while you listen: What kind of listening do you hear for tasks 3 and 5?  Which task has an announcement? In which task does the student have a problem?  What is the time limit for the tasks? Should you include a lot of detail in your response? Join my online classes at www.edufire.com/allthingsesl or click here to request a class using...
Aug 8th
6 notes
3 tags
Speaking Question Types on the TOEFL iBT™ Test
Listen to Podcast Here are some questions to answer while you listen: How many speaking questions are on the test? What are the two types of questions? On the test do you speak to a person or into a microphone? What is the time limit for the independent task? What should you include in your speaking response? Join my online classes at www.edufire.com/allthingsesl or click here to request...
Aug 1st
7 notes
July 2011
4 posts
1 tag
Listening Question Types on the TOEFL iBT™ Test
Listen to Podcast Here are some questions to answer while you listen: What are the two kinds of listening on the listening section? What is the first question type? Who are some people that the student might be speaking to in the campus conversations? With which question will you hear part of the audio again? What is a prediction? Join my online classes at www.edufire.com/allthingsesl
Jul 25th
1 tag
More Reading Questions Types on the TOEFL iBT™...
Listen to Podcast Here are some questions to answer while you listen: What were some question types from last week? What is the best answer for a paraphrase question like? Is the answer for an inference question directly stated in the passage? What are some purposes? What do you need to think like to answer coherence questions correctly? Join my online classes...
Jul 18th
1 tag
Reading Questions Types on the TOEFL iBT™ Test
Listen to Podcast Here are some questions to answer while you listen: What is the reading question format? What is the first question type? What is the difference between detail questions and negative detail questions? What does referent mean? For the vocabulary questions, should you choose the answer that is the general meaning or the specific meaning in the passage? Join my online classes...
Jul 11th
1 tag
Overview of TOEFL iBT™ Test
Listen to Podcast Here are some questions to answer while you listen: How many sections are on the test? What are the sections? Can you take notes during the test? Is there a break? How long? Which sections have integrated and independent tasks? Join my online classes at www.edufire.com/allthingsesl
Jul 7th
June 2011
4 posts
2 tags
Common Topics for the TOEFL® listening section
Campus conversations are some of the listenings on the TOEFL® test. Usually a student has a problem and is trying to get help. Here are some common topics for the listening section: Parking policy change Choosing a paper/research topic Account problem Registering for classes Dropping a class Missing a class because of an emergency Change in the hours of a school facility Ex. Gym hours,...
Jun 25th
5 notes
Listening Advice for the TOEFL® Test: Lectures
There are two types of listening on the test: lectures and conversations. These tips are to help you listen better to academic lectures. This study advice comes from websites created by English speaking universities.* Decide what is the purpose of lecture •   to provide a summary of essential knowledge in a subject area •   to guide your reading and research •   to demonstrate how to do...
Jun 19th
Help with the Speaking Section of the TOEFL® Test:...
The speaking section of the test has some different questions types. In this post I’ll explain question 6.   Question 6: Integrated Task  Question 6 is an integrated question which means that you use more than one English skill. Part 1: You will listen to an academic lecture. The lecture is usually for courses that are common at American universities. Examples: psychology, biology,...
Jun 6th
Jun 4th
May 2011
4 posts
Speaking Section of the TOEFL® Test: Question 5
The speaking section of the test has some different questions types. In this post I’ll explain question 5.   Question 5: Integrated Task  Question 5 is an integrated question which means that you use more than one English skill. Part 1: You will listen to a student conversation. Usually the student has a problem and the other person speaking is trying to help him/her solve the problem.  The...
May 31st
Speaking Section of the TOEFL® Test: Question 4
The speaking section of the test has some different questions types. In this post I’ll explain question 4.   Question 4  Integrated Task  Question 4 is an integrated question which means that you use more than one English skill. Part 1: You will read part of a text about an academic topic. You have about 45 seconds to read. The reading is similar to a university textbook. It usually...
May 24th
2 tags
Speaking Section of the TOEFL® Test
The speaking section of the test has some different questions types. In this post I’ll explain question 3.  Integrated Task  Question 3 is an integrated question which means that you use more than one English skill.  Question 3  Part 1: You will read a sign or notice that could be posted at an American university. The notice is usually announcing a policy change. This could be a change of...
May 18th
3 notes
2 tags
Speaking Section on the TOEFL®
The speaking section of the test has some different questions types. In this post I’ll explain Questions 1-2. The order of the questions might be different, but the types are consistent: Independent Speaking (No listening, or reading) Question 1 This question usually asks you to choose between two options. You need to choose one of the options and think of logical reasons for your...
May 11th
2 notes
April 2011
2 posts
3 tags
TOEFL® iBT: Independent Writing Task
Argumentative Essay Many of the independent essay questions on the TOEFL® iBT test will ask you something like this… The most important quality of a student is motivation. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Support your opinion with reasons and examples. *This question type is best answered with an argumentative essay. In this kind of essay you choose a position think of...
Apr 12th
5 notes
2 tags
TOEFL® Test Tip: Parallelism
Parallelism is an advanced writing skill. Parallelism is when you communicate ideas of equal importance by balancing grammatical structures. Not Parallel Obama’s presidency has been marked by attempts to be transparent, caution, and acting fair. Parallel Obama’s presidency has been marked by transparency, caution, and fairness. Do you notice the difference?
Apr 7th
6 notes