TOEFL Listening Tips & Tricks: Essential Vocabulary to Practice for the TOEFL Exam
TOEFL
Talk to ExpertThe TOEFL iBT Listening Section measures the candidates’ ability to understand spoken English. The test requires candidates to listen to academic lectures and conversations in which the speech sounds are natural and answer questions related to the same. Candidates can take notes during the speech. Most of the questions that follow the lectures and conversations are multiple-choice questions with four answer choices and a single correct answer.
TOEFL Listening Sub-Exam Pattern
| Listening Topics |
Number of questions |
Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 4–6 Academic Lectures (3–5 minutes long) |
6 Questions/Lecture |
60–90 Minutes |
| 2–3 conversations, (3 minutes long) |
5 Questions/Conversation |
Components of the Listening Exam Syllabus
The TOEFL Listening Syllabus is basically made up of two elements, they are:
- Academic Lectures: The academic lectures in the TOEFL iBT reflect a typical conversation that occurs in the classroom. These conversations could be of different kinds. In some of the conversations, the professor could be doing all the talking with an occasional comment by a student, while in others, you could have the professor engage the students in a discussion by asking questions.
- Conversations in an Academic Setting: The conversations in the TOEFL iBT test include conversations that take place in an office environment or during a service encounter with university staff. The conversations generally encompass academic topics and information related to course requirements and could include conversations regarding housing payment, registering for a class or requesting information at the library.
Also, Read
| Important Tips for TOEFL | TOEFL Exam Preparation Tips |
| Exam day tips for IELTS: How to approach each section | IELTS Exam: Tips to Achieve a High Score |
TOEFL Preparation Tips for Listening Section
Candidates looking to clear the TOEFL test should adhere to the following guideline to be able to score well in their TOEFL iBT Listening Section. The guidelines are as follows
- Listening to English frequently and reading a wide variety of academic materials to increase vocabulary and improve listening skills
- Watching movies and television shows and listening to the radio are also excellent opportunities to build listening skills
- Candidates can also take the help of recorded books, lectures, and presentations which are equally valuable to better their listening abilities. Candidates can take the help of the Internet for such information.
TOEFL Listening Practice Skills for Beginners
- Beginners are advised to listen to different kinds of material on a variety of topics, of increasing length and difficulty
- Candidates can start with recordings on familiar topics and gradually progress to topics that are new to them
- Candidates who are new to this process can listen to the recordings first with English subtitles, if they are available and then, without subtitles
- Candidates are advised to take notes as they listen and note down the main ideas and important details
- Candidates are advised to write down keywords only, not every word. Candidates are advised to keep a track of new words and use them in their daily conversations.
- Students should ask themselves the basic information presented in the recording (Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?)
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Q: How can I prepare for TOEFL at home?
One searching for TOEFL preparation startegy without taking help of any coachings.
Self-Study Resources: Utilize online platform like ETS, and practice questions and study materials.
Listening Practice: Listen to English podcasts, lectures, and audiobooks to improve comprehension.
Reading Practice: Read academic articles or textbooks to familiarize yourself with academic vocabulary and structure.
Speaking Practice: Record yourself speaking on various topics and review your pronunciation and fluency.
Writing Practice: Write essays and seek feedback form any experts.
Q: How long should I study for the TOEFL?
The ideal duration depends on the TOEFL test taker's English proficiency and target score. Generally, dedicating 3-6 months with consistent practice sessions should yield the desired TOEFL scores. TOEFL test takers are further advised to analyze their practice test scores and identify areas needing improvement to tailor their study plan.
Q: Can I pass TOEFL online?
There is no such thing as failing or passing the TOEFL exam. The TOEFL exam is held online at a test centre near you and is also being conducted in the safety of your home via the online method. Candidates who have prepared for the TOEFL would qualify for the exam. Candidates should note that higher TOEFL scores would automatically increase their chances of securing a seat in the university and also make them a front runner for any scholarships being offered by the university. A low TOEFL score would require the student to re-take the exam to improve his/her performance.
Q: Is the TOEFL difficult for Indian students?
Yes, the TOEFL exam is relatively difficult than other English tests. However, the difficulty is subjective and depends on your current English proficiency level and preparation. While challenges like vocabulary gaps and adapting to the computer format (for the iBT) are common, dedicated preparation can help Indian students excel. Utilize official ETS resources like practice tests and study guides, supplement with free online tools and consider coaching classes if needed. Remember, consistent practice and addressing specific weaknesses are key to success.
Q: What is the hardest part of the TOEFL test?
The hardest part of the TOEFL test often depends on individual strengths and weaknesses. However, many test-takers find the speaking and writing sections to be the most challenging, as they require both language proficiency and critical thinking skills.
There are two tasks in the TOEFL writing section; one of them requires test takers to read a short passage, listen to a short lecture and finally, write your understanding of both. The other task requires test takers to state and support an opinion in a classroom discussion.
Q: Should students prepare for TOEFL on their own or seek professional guidance?
This is entirely at the discretion of the candidate. While professional help would definitely give you an added advantage, studying on your own would give you confidence like no other. Candidates studying on their own are advised to check out our preparation guide or visit the official website to learn about the at-home preparation strategy to score well in their next TOEFL exam. Candidates seeking professional help can check out the top TOEFL Coaching Centers in India.
Q: What is a Good TOEFL Score?
TOEFL Scores: There are no good or bad scores when appearing for the TOEFL test. Candidates would be required to meet the TOEFL score decided by the universities. anything above would increase their chances of getting admission into the university and any score below the range could serve as a roadblock in the admission process.
However, to make your test experience more personal and for you to understand your score better ETS has provided 4 to 5 proficiency levels for each skill. So where your score falls within that range tells you your proficiency for that skill. This will give you a fair idea about your performance, your strengths, sections that need improvement, and so on. Test takers can look at the table below to understand their TOEFL iBT Scores better.
Skill/ Score Range | Level* |
|---|---|
Reading Score Range 0–30 | Advanced (24–30) |
Listening Score Range 0–30 | Advanced (22–30) |
Speaking Score Range 0–30 | Advanced (25–30) |
Writing Score Range 0–30 | Advanced (24–30) |
Total Score | These are added together for a total score of 0–120. |
Q: Why take the TOEFL Exam?
Accepted in over 11,000 universities and institutions worldwide, including universities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), and across Europe and Asia, TOEFL is one of the most preferred English-language tests for students wanting to study abroad. The TOEFL test is primarily to understand and grade the candidates reading, writing, speaking, and listening abilities in the English language.
Students wanting to study abroad and opting for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) comes with many benefits. TOEFL is a preferred exam among students who want to pursue higher education abroad, as more TOEFL scores are sent to universities in the United States and Canada than all other English-language tests combined. Similarly, TOEFL is a preferred English test among countries as more TOEFL scores are sent to German, French, US, and Canadian universities than other English tests. ETS – the conducting body of the TOEFL also guarantees students a fair and unbiased process of score reporting, making the test more authentic.
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