SKILL BUILDING ACTIVITIES

Taking and analyzing practice TOEFL tests is only part of a comprehensive plan for TOEFL prep. In addition, you should continue to work on improving your global level of English fluency, keep in good physical shape, and relax and enjoy American culture. Fortunately, there are many activities in which you can combine two or even all three of these goals.

Below are some specific suggestions for activities to build skills for specific parts of the TOEFL:

Listening

Listen to the radio

Watch TV

Go to the movies

Use the telephone (in English)

Buy books on tape

Go to bars or restaurants and eavesdrop

Look in the Boston Globe Calendar for lectures, readings or free classes

Visit the courthouse

Start conversations with strangers

Get a job or volunteer

Structure

Study the list of most frequently tested grammar points, and then...

Look for grammar exercises in your favorite grammar book on those points

When you read, identify sentence components

Practice writing TOEFL grammar questions

Study lists of regularities, such as make/do, infinitive/gerund, etc.

Vocabulary and Reading Comprehension

Read for pleasure, EVERY day or night

Read the newspaper and look up 5 new words each day

Own an English language dictionary and thesaurus and USE them

Study the list of reading passage topics, and...

Read popular science articles whenever possible

Read encyclopedia articles on science and history

Read introductory-level college textbooks

Become familiar with English roots, prefixes and suffixes

Buy a television with close-captioning

Get on-line and read electronically on the Internet