w07 i bt_kaplan
TRANSCRIPT
Presenters
Kaplan English Programs,
at Highline Community College
Chadd Bennett: Program Manager
Jon Dietzen: Center Manager
Next Generation TOEFL
Why is the test changing?
*More focus on ability to communicate
*How well students use English
*Uses integrated tasks that reflect
how language is actually used- Read/listen/speak
- Listen/speak
- Read/listen/write
What speaking tasks are required of students?What speaking tasks are required of students?
• Ask questions in class• Participate in group discussions• Give presentations• Participate in team projects• Discuss issues with advisors/faculty• Speak with landlords about living arrangements• Properly order a coffee in Seattle
Test Overview
Previous TOEFL (CBT) New TOEFL (iBT)Test is saved on computer Test will be delivered via the Internet
Non-integrated skill testing Some integrated skill testing
Computer adaptive questions for Listening and Structure
All questions will be non-adaptive
No note-taking allowed for Listening, Structure and Reading
Note-taking allowed for all sections
Test was offered until the end of August 2005
Test began September 2005
CBT scores still valid for two years, but schools may require a new (IBT) score after Sept. 2005
No Structure (Grammar) section; new Speaking section
Reading Section
CBT- Approximately 5 passages- 44-60 questions in 70-90 minutes
iBT- 3 passages total, 12 questions per passage- Reading passages are longer: 600-700 words each- A max. of 3-4 words may be hyper-linked to a dictionary- A review button allows a student to review answers- Each question mentions the relevant paragraph:
“According to paragraph 4, what can be inferred about…”
Reading Section
Question types
New iBT Reading Questions- The author’s method of explanation/definition- Paraphrase of a sentence- Choose and categorize ideas from a list- Choose key points for a summary of the whole passage
Main topic - Main purpose - Inference +Main idea + Purpose/function of a detail + Pronoun reference +Title - Organization - Vocabulary +Place passage in larger work
- Fact/detail + Sequence/insert sentence +
Negative fact +
Listening Section
CBT- Variable number of short conversations, 2 longer conversations
and 3 lectures- 30-50 questions in 40-60 minutes- No note-taking allowediBT- No more short conversation section- 2 longer conversations with 2 or more speakers each- 4 longer lectures, some of which include dialogue- 5-6 questions per conversation or lecture- Some questions repeat a small section and ask about the
speaker’s meaning- Note taking is allowed
Listening Section
Question types
New iBT Listening Questions- Identify (Yes/No) which ideas were mentioned (>2 answers)- The meaning of a repeated phrase or sentence- The speaker’s method of explanation
Main topic + Main purpose - Inference +Main idea + Purpose/function of a detail + Choose a diagram -Match words with defs, examples, etc.
- Fact/detail + Sequence events -
Negative fact -
Speaking Section
This section is new 6 questions in total 2 independent tasks on familiar topics 4 integrated tasks: 2 based on
Reading/Listening; 2 based on Listening
Speaking Section
2 Independent Tasks Each gives 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to answer Each question appears on the screen Both questions discuss non-academic information
Examples: Give this a try!!! (15 seconds-prep/45 seconds-speak) “Describe a class you have taken in school and explain why the class was important
to you. Include details and examples to support your explanation.”
“Some universities require first-year students to live in dormitories on campus. Others allow students to live off campus. Which policy do you think is better for…?”
Speaking Section
4 Integrated Tasks 2 Reading/Listening/Speaking Each task gives 45 seconds to read a 5-8 sentence long passage, and then
plays a short conversation or explanation
First task: a short announcement and a long conversationTime: 20 seconds to prepare, and 60 seconds to answer
“The woman expresses her opinion of the announcement made by the university president. State her opinion and explain the reasons she gives for holding that opinion.”
Second task: a short reading and a lectureTime: 20 seconds to prepare, and 60 seconds to respond
“Discuss the suitability of antelopes and horses for domestication. Which is more suitable?”
Speaking Section
4 Integrated Tasks 2 Listening/Speaking After the listening, each task gives 20 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to
answer. Each question appears on the screen.
The first task is a long conversation between two students:
“The students discuss two possible solutions to the woman’s problem. Describe the problem. Then state which of the two solutions you prefer and why.”
The second task is a lecture that is slightly shorter than those on the CBT:
“Using points and examples from the talk, explain how the automobile and the radio contributed to a common culture in the United States.”
Writing SectionCBT- One 30-minute essay about one question
iBT1 Reading/Listening/Writing Task One academic reading and one listening passage Five minutes to read the passage first Then, after listening to a lecture on the same topic, a student has 20 minutes to
write An answer must discuss the key ideas in the listening passage and explain how
they differ from those in the reading No personal opinion is required The reading passage will always be available, but not the lecture (must use
notes)1 Writing task similar to that of the previous TOEFL The question asks a student about personal experience and knowledge 30 minutes to write an essay
iBT Scoring
The score report universities receive will contain:Four skill scores- Reading 0-30- Listening 0-30- Speaking 0-30- Writing 0-30
A total score: 0-120
Student score reports will also contain performance feedback.
Scoring Comparison
PBT CBT iBT
580-583 237 92-93
550 213 79-80
520 190 68
480 157 54-55
iBT Scoring
• Scores available for viewing online free of charge 10 business days after the test.
• Institutions can enter a folder with their students in it.• Sortable database to assist in matching scores with
applications.• “Print friendly” format, with photo.• ELPs and attending institutions can view scores
online with permission of student.
Questions Kaplan students have asked about the iBT
• Is it more difficult?• If I apply for fall quarter 2007, what score will I need?• How long will schools honor the CBT score?• What scores will schools require?• How will the sections be evaluated?• How important is speaking?
Kaplan’s TOEFL Preparation
• A New TOEFL and Academic course has begun!
• Includes iBT Questions Type practice
• Includes skill building for grammar, vocabulary, summarizing, and paraphrasing
Resources
ETS website: www.ets.org/toefl
Upcoming Kaplan Opportunities
- Conference Presentations- College and University Workshops- Guidance for conducting standard setting at your own
institution
- TOEFL Tuesdays: Free Practice iBT every Tuesday at 4:30pm!!!
Highline Community College, building 30, room 319
*Students Must call or sign up ahead of time*
Discussion Questions
• Find some advisors from other schools and break into groups of 4-5.
• Spend some time discussing the following: – What is the current TOEFL requirement at your institution? – Is your institution still accepting CBT scores? For how long?
– Has your school encountered any issues in
interpreting/implementing the new iBT score? – Have you received any comments/questions from students
or professors about the new iBT? – Other things you would like to ask/share in your groups? – Questions???
Thank You!!!
Thank You for attending this session!!!
• More resources available up front!!!
Kaplan English Programs at Highline CC. 2400 So 240th, MS 25-516
Des Moines, WA 98198
TEL: 206-870-3740 FAX: 206-870-0938
Email: [email protected], [email protected]