The iBT TOEFL: Strategy Stories of Successful Students

by Elena Sapp and Ron Metzler

Traditional Approach to TOEFL Teaching

Secondary SkillsSecondary SkillsGrammar, VocabularyPronunciation

Primary SkillsPrimary SkillsReading, Listening,Speaking, Writing

Support SkillsSupport Skills Note taking, Summarizing, ParaphrasingOutlining, Mind Mapping, Skimming,Scanning, Synthesizing

Difficult Sections of the iBT TOEFL

• Student perceptions of difficult sections in the iBT: Spring 2008 -Winter 2010

Chart 1: (No. of respondents= 189)

Common Student Strategies

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Chart 2: surveys & interviews

IndependentExercises

Longman Prep

Reading

Web sites

Vocabulary

Writing

Mini-tests

Strategies: Lower-level vs. Upper-level

Answers to TOEFL Strategy Quiz

Description Difficult Skill(s) iBT Score

Student A Integrated Speaking 83

Student B Writing; Listening 88

Student C Reading; Listening 50

Student D Reading 97

Student E Listening; speaking 70

Self –Efficacy

Enjoyment

Lear

ning

Goa

l

Orient

ation

TOEFL iBT web-based test

Social Psychology Model

Successful Outcome

Learning Strategy Research

Psychological Factors (Yi & Hwang)

Reference group and guidance (Compeau

& Higgins)

Coopetitive Learning (Fu, Wu & Ho)

Self-regulated Learners

Able to prepare their own learning

Take necessary steps to learn

Able to regulate their learning

Provide their own feedback and judgment

Keep themselves concentrated and motivated for extended periods of time

Successful students:

• -participate well in all of their other classes

• -practice mini and complete tests on their own

• -work on listening, reading, and speaking skills outside of class; examples are newspaper articles, conversation partners, and listening to lectures.

• -do not to expect to pass TOEFL on the first attempt. They take multiple exams spread throughout the term or over several months while practicing their own strategies in addition to class work

• -may use their native language for composing in the speaking and writing sections

• -are self-efficacious, well-motivated, and have high learning goal orientation

RECIPES FOR SUCCESS

Thank you!