WHAT IS TOEFL ?

Semarang [www.mecunnes.blogspot.com]

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an English test that used to measure english mastery of someone that didn’t use english as their mother language. It was developed and held by ETS (Educational Testing Service) that is an institution that located in USA and the first exertion on 1964.

WHAT ABILITY THAT TESTED IN TOEFL?

There are three part of toefl test that must done. It is listening comprehension 50 problems, structure and written expression 40 problems, and reading comprehension 50 problems. All problems are made in multiple choices. It is Paper and Pencil Based Toefl that need time approximately 150 minutes.

Another kind of toefl test is Computer Based Toefl. There are essay test to check the ability of composing in English and others variation. It needs approximately 240 minutes included tutorial procedure.

HOW MANY KIND OF TOEFL TEST?

There are two kinds of toefl test, that is Paper and Pencil Based Toefl and Computer Based Toefl. The first kind of toefl test is toefl test that we know up to now, where the question and answer is done by paper and pencil. While the second test is a new model of toefl test because of the first introduction is on 1998. It use computer to deliver problem and the test entrant will answer trough computer also.

IS THERE ANY OTHER TEST EXCEPT BOTH OF THEM?

ETS as the developer and administrator institution of toefl test hold TOEFL ITP (Institutional Testing Program) also. Amount of problem and difficulty level isn’t different with Paper and Pencil Based Toefl and Computer Based Toefl because problems that used for TOEFL ITP is problem that has ever used before. The difference that you may know if you plan to join this test is the using of score that you get from this toefl test is limited.

The another difference is test price. Price of Paper and Pencil Based Toefl and Computer Based Toefl is US $ 25. It only hold at certain Center Test with test schedule that had been determined long day before. While the exertion schedule of TOEFL ITP is more flexible and in Indonesia is held by IIEF (The Indonesian International Education Foundation) then coordinate with language center in university.

Besides TOEFL ITP, there are TOEFL Prediction/ Equivalent Test that used to estimate someone’s toefl score before that person take another toefl test (Paper and Pencil Based Toefl, Computer Based Toefl, TOEFL ITP). It is usually held by institution/ language center or course center that conduct toefl test.

WHAT IS RELATION BETWEEN TOEFL SCORE AND SOMEONE’S ENGLISH MASTERY?

There are three levels of English mastery that is Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced. Language expert usually divide toefl score into four levels, as follows (Carson, et al., 1990):

• Elementary: 310 s.d. 420
• Low Intermediate: 429 s.d. 480
• High Intermediate:: 480 s.d. 520
• Advanced: 525 s.d. 677

source: http://kursusinggris.wordpress.com/

(complete and indonesian version)