Narrator: ETS, listening, learning, leading, dedicated to improving quality and equity in education for all people worldwide. This is the TOEFL test — accurate, reliable, fair. Since 1964, the TOEFL test has led the way as the most respected and most accepted English Language assessment in the world.
On-screen: ETS�
Narrator: Welcome to the TOEFL Introductory Tour. Select the next button at the end of each section to proceed through the guided tour. The menu bar will always highlight the current location in the presentation. Select any of the titles from the menu bar to jump ahead to another section of the presentation or to return to previous sections, or select the exit button at any time to end the presentation.
For more than 60 years, ETS has been the global leader in educational assessment, a trusted name synonymous with excellence. ETS administers more than 50 million tests a year in more than 180 countries, at more than 9,000 institutions, agencies and businesses. English language learning at ETS offers an array of products and services based on years of research on how people learn language to help evaluate, diagnose and strengthen the communication skills of nonnative speakers of English.
On-screen: Origin of the TOEFL� Test
Narrator: In the early 1960s, there was an influx of international students seeking educational and economic opportunities. Based on its reputation for quality, reliability and strong research based assessments such as ETS's GRE� test and the College Board's SAT tests, ETS was called on by the higher education community to pioneer an English-language assessment to help qualify the English proficiency of these international applicants.
On-screen: An International Standard
Narrator: In 1964, ETS introduced the world to TOEFL, formally known as the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Over the next 45 years, the TOEFL test became the internationally accepted measure of English proficiency. Today, it is the most widely available English-language assessment in the world. Universities, government agencies and cultural institutions rely on the TOEFL test to provide a reliable measure of English-language proficiency.
On-screen: Research and Development
Narrator: The process of research and development on the TOEFL test has been continuous and necessary to maintain the highest industry standards for quality, accuracy and fairness. It has kept the test at the forefront of English-proficiency assessment.
On-screen:
Narrator: The TOEFL iBT� test uses a unique, integrated approach to assessments and is administered via the Internet. The TOEFL test assesses English-language proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Most importantly the TOEFL test assesses skills using integrated tasks — tasks that require the use of more than one skill at a time. For instance, test takers will listen to a conversation and then speak about what they heard, and then read a passage, listen to part of a lecture, and then write about what they read and heard. This integrated approach mirrors real English use in everyday university situations, both in and out of the classroom.
On-screen: Features and Benefits
Narrator: Select one of the categories for the TOEFL test to hear specific features and benefits for learners, test takers, English programs or academic institutions.
On-screen: … for Learners and Test Takers
Narrator: The TOEFL test accurately measures all four skills required for English proficiency. Test takers will know whether they can effectively communicate in English. Diagnostic feedback indicates areas for improvement to help test takers focus on specific skill development. TOEFL test resources help prepare learners for the test. Throughout the test, note taking is allowed. This enables test takers to be more comfortable with their testing experience because it is similar to real-world academic situations.
Test takers can complete all sections of the test on the same day, making this TOEFL test both cost-effective and convenient. Online registration allows test takers to register online and know immediately when and where they will take the test.
On-screen: Online Score Reporting
Narrator: Finally, online score reporting allows test takers to view their scores online as soon as they're available.
On-screen: … for English Programs
Narrator: The focus of the TOEFL test on all four skills along with the use of both independent and integrated tasks helps English-language instructors and program directors link teaching and learning with testing. This results in students who are better prepared for communicating in an academic setting.
Score descriptors as well as the diagnostic feedback test takers get with their scores will allow instructors to identify the English-language courses appropriate for the learner to focus on skills that need improvement and measure student mastery and academic readiness.
Online learning services include tools to build students' communicative skills, support student learning and assess progress.
On-screen: …for Academic Instiutions
Narrator: The integrative approach of the TOEFL test provides academic institutions with additional information about a student’s readiness so they can admit more well-qualified students with the English skills needed to be successful at their institution. The TOEFL test provides institutions with tools to make good decisions about an applicant’s English proficiency, including four skill scores, a total score, score descriptors, rubrics, scoring standards for speaking and writing, online speech samples, standard-setting guidance, maintaining the same high ETS standard of security for identity verification, score authenticity and reliability.
On-screen:
Narrator: The TOEFL test is divided into four sections — reading, listening, speaking and writing — and all sections can be completed on the same day. An integrated approach is used in the Speaking and Writing sections. Tasks require test takers to combine more than one skill, which reflects how we use language in real life. For example, in some tasks, a test taker will be asked to read a passage and listen to a lecture and then speak or write in response. Note taking is allowed throughout the test to help test takers answer questions. A clock at the top of the screen shows time remaining in each section.
On-screen: The Reading Section
Narrator: In the Reading section, the test taker will be asked to read three passages and answer comprehension questions about each one. Some questions and answers are presented in a multiple-choice format. In other cases, the test taker will be asked to click on a square to add a sentence to a passage, or the test taker will be asked to drag an answer choice to the appropriate place on the screen.
Included in the Reading section are special features that make the testing experience easier for test takers. For example, the glossary feature allows test takers to click on a word or a phrase to see an explanation of it. The review feature allows test takers to immediately find any questions they’ve skipped or to return to questions they would like to change. Click here to view a reading sample.
On-screen: The Listening Section
Narrator: The Listening section measures the test taker’s ability to understand conversations and lectures in English. The test taker will hear and answer questions about two to three conversations and four to six lectures. The questions typically ask about the main ideas and supporting details of the conversation or lecture. Some questions ask about the speaker’s purpose or attitudes. Some questions and answers are presented in a multiple choice format. In other questions, the test taker will be asked to select the answer choices to complete the task.
Narrator: The language in the conversations and lectures sounds similar to what students hear in real academic situations. In the lectures, key phrases are shown as if the professor had written them on the blackboard to help test takers understand.
On-screen: The Listening Section
On-screen: The Writing Section
Narrator: The Writing Section measures the test-taker’s ability to use writing to communicate in an academic environment. Test takers are evaluated on their ability to demonstrate understanding of the material and make connections as well as to write clearly, accurately and in a well-organized manner. As in the speaking section, there are two types of tasks – Integrated and Independent.
On-screen: The Writing Section
Narrator: For the integrated task, the test taker will read a short passage and listen to a short lecture. The test taker will then be asked to answer a question based on what he or she had read and heard. Test takers type their response on the right side of the screen.
For the Independent Writing task, the test taker will be asked to answer a question based on his or her knowledge and experience. Click here for a sample task and responses for writing.
On-screen: The Writing Section
On-screen: The Speaking Section
Narrator: The Speaking section measures the test-taker's ability to speak in an academic environment. Test takers are evaluated on their overall ability to communicate, to speak clearly and coherently, and to demonstrate an understanding of the materials. The test taker will be asked to answer six questions by speaking into a microphone. The first two questions are about topics familiar to the test taker. These are called Independent Speaking tasks.
On-screen: The Speaking Section
Narrator: In the remaining four questions, test takers use more than one skill. These are called Integrated tasks. In these tasks, test takers will be asked to listen or to read and listen and then respond.
For each of the six questions, the test taker will be given a short time to prepare a response. Click here to listen to sample tasks and responses for speaking.
On-screen: Services & Support for…
Narrator: ETS Offers a wide range of support services for learners and test takers, English programs and academic institutions that use the TOEFL test. For learners and test takers, these support services include the test-taker website, www.toeflgoanywhere.org, official test preparation materials, video tips to learn English, student fairs and seminars.
On-screen: English Programs
Narrator: For English programs, these support services includes test preparation and learning products and services, regional feature workshops, TOEFL e-newsletter, and for institutions, these services include standard-setting materials, online score reporting services, free online speech sample service, TOEFL e-newsletter.
On-screen: Academic Institutions
Narrator: For comprehensive, up-to-date information on all the services and support ETS provides to TOEFL customers, visit the TOEFL website at www.ets.org/TOEFL.
For more information or customer service, please contact ETS at the numbers or email address listed.
On-screen: ETS — Listening. Learning. Leading.�
Narrator: ETS, listening, learning, leading.
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