Toefl Test And The Usefulness Of Learning Vocabulary Words

TOEFL is the eligibility test to assess the English proficiency of nonnative English speakers. As TOEFL is focused to evaluate the English language, the ability to use the building blocks the language, the English vocabulary words will be in turn the main matter of judgment. The test is open to people in all countries and more than 110 countries have the test centers for TOEFL. It is considered as a universally accepted test, since most of the world countries; rely on TOEFL for the evaluation of the English fluency of the person. Now, clearance of TOEFL is a requirement to get admission to many of the foreign universities and work places. The usefulness of learning vocabulary words is that it will enhance the winning chance of the TOEFL vocabulary test.


TOEFL test is available in different test patterns; however, all the test pattern will primarily evaluate the vocabulary words strength of the person. The TOEFL test was available mainly in two forms, computer based and paper based. The both tests had only simple differences, but the scoring ranges are different. Now, the internet based TOEFL vocabulary tests, TOEFL ibt, has becoming popular which is presently available in some of the selected test centers. Future, the TOEFL exam will be completely based on the internet system. As the basic focus of all the type of tests is similar, the learning of vocabulary words inevitable to qualify TOEFL, irrespective of test pattern. The testimonials of the TOEFL cleared persons; prove the usefulness of learning vocabulary.


The TOEFL vocabulary test comprises of different sessions, to assess the proficiency of the person, in English. Generally, the test will have listening test, reading test, grammar test and the writing test. In computer based test, adaptive test, in which the questions are assorted according to the level of the client, is used. In the listening session, 30-50 questions will be asked that can narrate the listening capability of the person to understand the English, used in North American. The knowledge about the standard language pattern and the ability to distinguish the correct grammatical usage is assessed in the structure or grammar part of TOEFL exam. The reading test includes 44-55 questions, which is used for the evaluation about the recognition ability of the person, regarding the common styles of usage prevailing in English speaking countries. The writing of an essay is also the part of the exam, which proves the English language potentials of the person. However, the success in a pattern such as this, mainly depend on the vocabulary strength of the person, in English.


In brief, TOEFL is focused to evaluate the ability of the person to effectively communicate in the English speaking country, to perform his basic purpose, irrespective whether studying or working. The good scores in the TOEFL is essential since the scores of the TOEFL exam, has become a criteria for selection in well established institutions. Usually, a nonnative English speaker has to go through training sessions and practice tests to build up their skills in the English language, and particularly TOFEL vocabulary. The comprehensive TOEFL vocabulary training and online practice tests will help for the aspirants, to gain knowledge in English. The experts state that a strong training, which a focus on the usefulness of learning TOFEL vocabulary words will help the person to come out of the TOFL test in flying colors, which can be the stepping stone to the realization of your dreams.


By: Ivan Wong
Ivan Wong is author of "Smart Vocabulary", a book for helping people remember words for life. To help educate others, he has published a word list of most frequent TOEFL Vocabulary words on www.toeflvocabulary.com and released a resource site for SAT Vocabulary on www.satvocab.com

Teach English: A Fulfilling Career That Will Take You To Great Places

All over the world, English is the accepted language for many forms of international communication. From business transactions to air traffic control, English has taken over as the language of choice. Choosing to teach English abroad puts you into a fast-moving, high-demand job that can take you almost anywhere.


If you have a sense of adventure and love the idea of a job that takes you to another country, you should seriously consider this career path. It's sure to be a unique and enriching experience.



If you Want to Teach English...

If you're considering this as a future career, chances are you already know that you'll be away from home for a while. Most schools will hire you on a contract, which will be at least a year long. Keep in mind that your students will need their teacher to be there for the entire term!

If you're teaching at a private school, or if you're hired by a corporation to teach business English to their executives, your contract may differ. Nonetheless, to make the entire trip lucrative you should plan on staying awhile. After all, it took you a lot of work to get there in the first place.



What to Expect

Your salary will largely depend on what country you decide to travel to. Obviously, some locales offer higher salaries than others, but that shouldn’t always be the determining factor for where you teach. For instance, Mexico, a country notorious for low salaries offers a rich culture, low living expenses and students dedicated to learning. On the other hand, Japan, a country known for its higher salaries has a cost of living higher than most. Remember, you won't always get rich doing this job, but you will almost always walk away rich in experiences!

The good news is, many schools and universities can and will supply you with free housing during the term of your employment. This can eliminate one of the biggest hassles about teaching abroad, which is finding an affordable place to live. Particularly if you're in a large metro area, rent can kill you (and kill your teacher's salary, too). If you get offered a job with free housing included, snap it up. The best part is that the housing they give you will likely be within walking range of where you teach. It's a good bargain.



Finding a Job

Giving general advice on finding a job teaching English is difficult. The reason for that is because your efforts are going to vary widely by country. In some areas, you'll need to be hired months in advance; other countries might need to meet you before they'll even consider hiring you.

Our best advice here is to prepare to do some legwork. Talk to your college (and any other college in the area) regarding sister school programs and other resources they may have to get you overseas. Don’t forget about the various job boards that list available teaching positions by country—this is perhaps the best way of finding a job because each listing will provide the exact requirements of that particular employer. If you're certified in TOEFL or ESL, you'll find the road is paved a lot smoother for you.

Do keep in mind, regardless of where you're looking for a job, that you do have some choice in the matter. Don't assume that the first school that offers you a position is the one you should take. Qualified and enthusiastic teachers are in demand, so you should be as choosey about the position you take as they are about the teacher they hire!

Choosing to teach English abroad is a big decision. If you're sure it's the right choice for you, the sooner you start preparing the better off you will be. Competition can be stiff, but finding the right job and the right country for your future employment will make it all worthwhile. Trust us, it will be the experience of a lifetime.

By: Michelle Simmons
Michelle Simmons is a contributing editor for ESLemployment, the leading job and resource site for the ESL and TEFL Industry. Interested in receiving hundreds of ESL and TEFL job listings weekly for free? To learn more visit Teaching English Jobs.

Can I really teach English in Germany?

Can I really teach English in Germany?!? The short and easy answer is “YES”. In fact anyone who has graduated from high school and has a good grasp of their own language can make a comfortable living as a freelance trainer in Germany. However, a little prep work is required in order to avert disaster. Over the years I’ve seen so many people come full of enthusiasm only to leave in tears a few short months later. I can’t guarantee you success but if you follow the 5 guidelines below then your adjustment will be a lot easier.

1. Learn some basic German. You don’t have to be a fluent speaker but a few months before your trip you should buy a basic phrase book. “Where is the train station?” “How much is this?” etc. Make sure it has a phonetic pronunciation guide. It doesn’t matter if your German is terrible at the start, as long as you make the effort to speak the language then most of the natives will try their best to help you. DO NOT blurt out “Hey dude, where can a guy get himself a mickey dees and a cold bottle of suds in this town?” Although a lot West Germans had a little English in school most of them have forgotten it. How much high school French or Spanish can you remember!?!

2. Brush up your grammar. Native speakers use complex grammar structures without thinking what they are called. Now you need to learn the names and when they are used. DON’T PANIC! Essential Grammar In Use ISBN 3-12-533460-8 This book is the bible for English trainers and it’s written simply and clearly. GET IT NOW! Read it from cover to cover and do all the exercises. Remember you are not learning the language, just brushing up. I remember thinking “wow, so that’s what it’s called when I say that.” Basically your learning the lingo. A TOEFL certificate would be a big advantage and you can do the course in the evenings or at weekends. It’s worth the relatively small price you pay.

3. Observe the culture. Search the net, read German authors and watch German movies. Learn a little about the German culture. Germans are a lot more reserved than British or Americans and need a little more time to warm up. Don’t mistake this for unfriendliness. Once you gain their trust you won’t find more loyal friends. Eating on the street can be frowned upon but drinking a bottle of beer on your way home isn’t really out of place.

4. Have your papers ready. The people here are highly organized and for us maybe a little too bureaucratic. Make sure you have all your relevant education papers, tax info. , social security etc. You also have to register for a work permit but most schools will help you with this process. Although the authorities are more tolerant with non-German speakers they still expect everything to be done exactly right. If you have to organize your work permit by yourself then try to have a bi-lingual speaker with you.

5. Have a “Plan B”. Even with the greatest preparation things can sometimes go wrong. Make sure that you have an open return plane ticket, travel insurance and enough emergency money with you in case things don’t go as planned. It could be that you get here and the culture shock is too great, maybe you have a skiing mishap on your day off or being an English trainer isn’t all you thought it would be. It’s better to be safe than sorry. Hopefully I haven’t painted too dark a picture. After all I’m married to a German woman and have happily adjusted to life here. Living and working in Germany can be a fantastic experience and totally change your life in a positive way as long as you do a little planning before your trip. Nigel Nix has been teaching Business English in Germany for the last 7 years and now has his own training business.


You can visit his website. http://getlearn.biz

Tips To Learn English

Do you have any plan to pursue your further education abroad? Will you need English for your career or your education? If so, you may wish to investigate your options for learning, or improving, your English skills.

The TOEFL Test: TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) is a test used by many colleges, universities, government agencies and exchange and scholarship programs in the US, UK and Canada as a means of evaluating the language skills of a person whose first language is not English.
You can find TOEFL study guides easily online with other recommended resources listed. You may be able to access some of the sample tests and prepare with personal study. Or you may look for a class with an instructor to help you prepare for the test.

ESL Classes: ESL classes are a common means for students to learn English with group of classmates. These can be in the form of an evening class with various individuals attending or may be part of a college program during the day.

The course length and the topics covered will differ from country to country and school to school. Some summer programs are geared for international students to gain a basic grasp of the language before starting studies in English taught classes of the college or university.

Since the standards of passing a course, or the course material itself, will vary drastically, some students may feel that the language skills gained upon completing the course does not equip them to handle school work or social interactions adequately.

Some schools offer students and alternative of home-stay programs for students. Home-stay programs benefit the student by placing them for several weeks or months with a host family that speaks English. The student is then able to immerse him or herself in the culture and social speaking of the English country they are living in. There are also online ESL programs that may be suitable for distance education, especially if programs are not readily available in your area.

Private Tutors: Another popular method of learning English is with private tutors. The materials and methods used by ESL tutors will vary greatly and it is important to establish what material will be used and to feel comfortable with the tutor. Asking friends or other students for references can be helpful in finding a good tutor.

A combination of these English learning methods will be effective as well. You can take a summer course while staying with a home-stay host family and then arranging for private tutoring during the school year. Making an effort to use your new language skills regularly in social situations will improve your progress regardless of the program or course you are using.