Welcome to our TOEFL Prep class!

This will be the workspace for our in-class activities today (Nov. 14, 2014).
Here are our goals for todays class
To familiarize with the question types on the TOEFL Speaking Section
To familiarize with additional strategies for the TOEFL Speaking questions.
To practice for the Independent Speaking questions
To practice for the Integrated Speaking questions
Todays To-Do List:
1. As soon as youre all settled in your seat and have your laptop ready, go to our website and
click on Entry/Exit Ticket to complete your homework reflections. [5 min].
2. TOEFL Speaking Section (6 Questions ~20 min total)
Scoring Rubric (pp.188-191) https://www.ets.org/s/toefl/pdf/toefl_speaking_rubrics.pdf
Q: What characterizes a good speaking response? Post your comments.[5 min]
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

Coherent (logical, relevant)

Good grammar (no major mistakes)
Good vocabulary (interesting)
Good structure (signal words)
Intelligible (understandable)
Little fillers (no ah, um)

A. Review of Independent Speaking (15s/45s): [5 min]

1.

Free Choice
Preparation: Brainstorming using the Quadrant graphic organizer
Speaking:
Focus on 2 main points - most important one first
Use natural cohesive devices (transitions): time/year, another, also
No need to introduction or conclusion - jump in with your answer
Practice:
Record yourself a few times
Each time, focus on what needs to be improved

2.

Paired Choice
Preparation: Brainstorming using Pros and Cons (T-chart)
Speaking:
Choose 1 of 2 options - more passionate about, easier to answer
Focus on 2-3 main points

Class Activity 1: Speed-Sharing [15 min]

 S1 = Independent Speaking (Free / Paired Choice)

S2 = Listening/Speaking (Paraphrase / Summarize)
Use reasons and details to support your response.

15s/45s
15s/30s

Free-Choice Questions:
1. What is your favorite holiday?
2. What person who is alive today would you most like to meet?
Paired-Choice Questions:
1. Do you think it is harder to speak or to write in English?
2. When you move to another country, do you prefer to follow the customs of the
new country or keep your own customs?
B. Review of Integrated Speaking: [10 min]
1.

Reading (45s) / Listening to a Conversation/ Speaking (30s/60s)

Reading (45s) / Listening to a Lecture (~2 min)/ Speaking (30s/60s)
follow order of conversation or lecture
paraphrase / summarize
use signal words (transitions)
use reported speech (simple present)

2.

Listening to a Conversation / Speaking (20s/60s)

Listening to a Lecture (~2 min) / Speaking (20s/60s)
take good notes in the order of lecture - details
use good signal words (transitions)
paraphrase / summarize using technical vocabulary (terminology)
use reported speech

Class Activity 2: Speaking Strategy Videos

1. Question 6: [15 min]
S1&S2 Watch Video: TOEFL Speaking Question 6 (10:00) http://youtu.be/2bow59J2HU4
S3&S4 Watch Video: TOEFL Speaking Question 6 (7:52) http://youtu.be/hV5XKoe_Sbg
Take notes while you watch the video.
After you finish watching the video: (5 min)
1. compare your notes with your partner and summarize the strategy.
2. discuss how this video adds to or differs from the Kenton County video.
3. discuss which video/strategy you find more helpful and why.
Change Partners: [5 min]
S1&S3
S2&S4
1. Share your notes with your partner and summarize the strategy from your video.
2. Summarize how your video adds to or differs from the Kenton County video.

3. Compare & contrast your video/strategy from your partners video/strategy.

4. Describe which video/strategy you find more helpful and why.
5-Min BREAK
2. Question 4: [15 min]
S1&S2 Watch Video: TOEFL Speaking Question 4 (6:57) http://youtu.be/_WiVbLJE58M
S3&S4 Watch Video: TOEFL Speaking Question 4 (9:32) http://youtu.be/17uB7dxhOi8

1.
2.
3.

Take notes while you watch the video.

After you finish watching the video:
compare your notes with your partner and summarize the strategy.
discuss how this video adds to or differs from the Kenton County video.
discuss which video/strategy you find more helpful and why.

Change Partners: [5 min]

S1&S4
S2&S3
1. Share your notes with your partner and summarize the strategy from your video.
2. Summarize how your video adds to or differs from the Kenton County video.
3. Compare & contrast your video/strategy from your partners video/strategy.
4. Describe which video/strategy you find more helpful and why.

Listening:
Practice using Mini-Tests