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I get messages like this every few months. And my first response is ALWAYS to invite the message writer for a chat so we can make a plan. It takes a lot of courage to write a message like this which is why I’m ready to help when someone contacts me. And there’s no reason to feel embarrassed. TOEFL is a tough, time-consuming exam. It’s easy to...
Read MoreIt’s nice to get things for free. Sometimes though we need to spend money to make the important things in life (like TOEFL) happen. So, instead of asking if something is free, ask if it gives you value for money. For example, if you know that you need to improve your language proficiency for TOEFL, then investing in the TOEFL Official Guide could...
Read MoreIf your TOEFL scores are stuck...If you've done all the TPO questions...If you're worried about missing your deadline......then this post is for you. Let’s talk about how to PRACTICE EFFECTIVELY for TOEFL. I think everyone agrees that it’s important to practice for TOEFL. But HOW you practice is really important too. TOEFL is a skills based exam....
Read MoreSpeaking task 2 can sometimes seem confusing. Some students have recently told me that they’ve had questions where they think the main speaker agrees AND disagrees with the announcement or proposal. And they’re wondering how to answer these questions. First, it’s highly unlikely that the speaker will agree and disagree. In the Official Guide to...
Read MoreMany TOEFL and IELTS resources talk about the different skills that are required for reading. They often focus on skimming and scanning, and don't separate these skills, which can cause confusion. Many test-takers don't really understand what these terms mean, while others believe that they should always skim and scan - and do both at the same...
Read MoreYou probably already use flashcards for TOEFL or IELTS studying. Perhaps you use them for noting pronunciation or grammar errors. Or maybe you use them for writing down new vocabulary. I encourage all my students to make flashcards in their lessons, and to review them frequently. Flashcards are a great way to record all sorts of things you need...
Read MoreDo you need a TOEFL listening score of between 18 to 22? Read on to find out why you should aim for a much higher score than that. Many TOEFL students think they don’t need to worry about practicing listening because they only need a low listening score of around 18 to 22 but the problem is that many students also need an advanced speaking score...
Read MoreDo you wonder if you are studying enough for TOEFL? Or, do you struggle to fit studying for TOEFL around your work and family commitments, and get frustrated because you always run out of time? If so, this post is for you! I’m going to explain why it’s important to take breaks from studying, and why studying less is sometimes a very good
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