Vacation TOEFL factsheet

Section 2: Course structure and content

The Vacation TOEFL course is the most convenient TOEFL test preparation course at Kings.

• It will improve students’ overall English language proficiency, academic vocabulary and enhance performance on academic tasks in all sections of the exam.
• The course improves test scores and also prepares students for success at US colleges and universities.
• Taught by experienced TOEFL instructors who help students achieve the maximum score possible by creating an individual study plan and providing regular feedback.

1. Context Embedded

• The TOEFL Preparation course is based on a communicative approach to learning and focuses on meaningful communication skills. This motivates students to read, listen, speak, and write.
• A variety of different topics are used to teach test taking strategies and keep the classroom content engaging.

2. Multimedia Support

• This course uses interactive multimedia such as news videos, audio recordings, and presentations to assist students in building background knowledge as well as improving their comprehension of academic content.

3. Academic Word List

• Students are introduced to the Academic Word List (AWL) and have opportunities to practice these words which occur in high frequency in academic contexts.
• Studies show that students who master the AWL are more likely to succeed in an academic setting.

4. Authentic Practice

• The course content provides daily opportunities to practice for the test using authentic questions and listening and reading materials from actual TOEFL tests.
• Students also regularly practice under exam conditions to develop timed test-taking strategies.
• Students are able to practice speaking with a headset and microphone and are given many timed writing assignments.

Extra information

• We recommend that students begin training at least four weeks before they take the real exam. Depending on their level, some students may require longer periods of study before taking the TOEFL exam to reach their test goals.

Assessment

• Continuous assessment helps students check their progress towards their goal and see their own improvement on a regular basis.
• Students begin with a diagnostic test and are then measured on a weekly basis with assignments, participation, and assessments.
• They have online access to one full-length test per month during their course and hundreds of practice exercises.
• Students can review their incorrect answers with detailed explanations of the correct answers.