Toehold on TOEFL
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TOEFL is the leading English proficiency test for those seeking admission in colleges and universities. Just for record... nearly 8,00,000 individuals worldwide register for the test each year.
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LOOK UP:The new TOEFL assesses all four basic language skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking. Photo: Sandeep Saxena
PROOF OF proficiency in English language is a must for those interested in studying abroad for courses taught in English. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) offered by the British Council and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) conducted by the US-based Education Testing Service (ETS) are the two most widely used tests for non-native English speakers to prove their proficiency in the language.
For more than 40 years, TOEFL has been the leading academic English proficiency test for those seeking admission in colleges and universities, particularly in the US and Australia. Each year nearly 8,00,000 individuals worldwide register for the test.
Online test
TOEFL, which measures English language proficiency in reading, listening and writing, is offered online in most parts of the world.
In areas where access to computer-based testing is limited, a paper and pencil version of the test is administered.
Apart from colleges and universities, many agencies, scholarship programmes, and licensing/certification agencies, too, use the TOEFL score to evaluate English proficiency. Over 4,500 colleges and universities the world over accept TOEFL score.
While IELTS measures language proficiency in all aspects of communication, TOEFL does not test a candidate's speaking skills. Therefore, the British system has an edge over TOEFL, although the former is tougher than the American system. A mere TOEFL score will not be enough if the candidate intends to pursue a profession in America.
Those who seek a job will have to take an additional computer-based Test of Spoken English (TSE). Realising this drawback of TOEFL, ETS has developed a new test that will help individuals demonstrate the English skills needed for academic success in a better manner.
The new TOEFL that assesses all four basic language skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking, will come into effect from September this year. This test will help institutions make better decisions about prospective students' readiness for academic coursework.
Since this includes a speaking section, institutions and agencies will no longer need to include the TSE test as a separate requirement. Until September this year, candidates will have to take TOEFL and TSE.
Hassle-free
In India, only computer-based TOEFL is available. ETS argues that online registration is hassle-free, fast and inexpensive. A candidate can take TOEFL on any working day, usually three or four weeks after registering online. The maximum score is 300. Once a student takes TOEFL, his/her score will be valid for two years. The score can be improved only after two years by taking a fresh test. For TOEFL there is no prescribed textbook. But many guides are available in the market.
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THE TEST
Computer-based TOEFL has four sections. While the listening section measures the candidate's ability to understand English as it is spoken in America, the structural section assesses one's ability to recognise language that is appropriate for standard written English. This follows reading and writing sections. TOEFL usually takes about three-and-a-half hours to complete.
REGISTRATION
It is possible either through the TOEFL website (www.toefl.org) or by contacting New Delhi centre at phone nos. 011-26511649 or 26531442. Registration fee of $130 can be paid only through credit card. ETS accepts payment through Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover or JCB credit cards.
TEST CENTRES
- Ahmedabad
- Allahabad
- Bangalore
- Kolkata
- Chennai
- Hyderabad
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
- Thiruvananthapuram
By Abdul Latheef Naha
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