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!