TOEFL, otherwise known as Test of English as a Foreign Language, is an assessment of one’s ability to use and understand English in an academic setting. The test is designed and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS), and was developed to gauge English language proficiency for non-native speakers wishing to study at U.S. universities. It has become an admission requirement for non-native English speakers at many English-speaking colleges and universities. Additionally, institutions such as government agencies, licensing bodies, businesses, or scholarship programs may require this test. A TOEFL score is valid for two years and then will no longer be officially reported.
Test Formats
The test is available in both Internet and paper format – albeit the latter is only available in limited areas.
The Internet-based test (iBT) is scored on a scale of 0 to 120 points. Each of the four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) receives a scaled score from 0 to 30. The scaled scores from the four sections are added together to determine the total score.
The final Paper-based test (PBT) score ranges between 310 and 677 and is based on three sub-scores: Listening (31–68), Structure (31–68), and Reading (31–67). Unlike the iBT, the writing section grade is not part of the final score, but is instead reported separately on a scale of 0–6.
The score test takers receive on the Listening, Structure and Reading parts of the TOEFL test is not the percentage of correct answers. The score is converted to take into account the fact that some tests are more difficult than others, resulting in a more accurate reflection of the student’s ability.
Accepted TOEFL Scores
Each university or course within it often has a minimum TOEFL score requirement, ranging from 61 to 100. There are also conversion tables, developed by the ELS, between iBT and PBT formats for consistency purposes.
Preparation Programmes
Students get the choice of undergoing a 4-day (16 hour) workshop or a 4-week (32 hour) programme, which focuses on the development of test-taking skills and strategies through:
- Test format analysis
- Structure and Written Expression practice
- Reading skills practice
- Writing practice
- Listening practice
- Speaking practice
- Exam-condition practice tests using sample test papers
Associated Costs
- 4-day Workshop (16 hours)
Tuition: RM400
Books & Materials: RM80
- 4-week Programme (32 hours)
Tuition: RM800
Books & Materials: RM80
- Placement Test Fee: RM150
Useful Links
For more information on the TOEFL test visit their website or FAQ page.
For TOEFL test dates and locations in Malaysia, refer to the ETS website.
To register for a TOEFL test, visit the ETS website.
Becoming a TOEFL Teacher
If you are particularly fluent in English already and would like to impart your own knowledge to students, there are ways to become a TOEFL teacher:
- Decide where you would like to teach English as a foreign language. This will determine the educational qualifications and certifications needed.
- Research your prospective jobs as a TOEFL teacher online using the listings, such as the one at Transitions Abroad.
- Enquire with your prospective employer about some important aspects of the position as a TOEFL teacher; such as the number of hours per week, how many different courses you will be expected to teach, number of lesson plans for each class session, and the like.
- Join Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). This is a professional organisation that provides resources, professional development and a community for the teachers wherever they live and work around the world. Before your first class, profile the students so that your conversational topics will be relevant to them. Make sure that you learn as much as possible about the students' cultures, languages and the conditions in which they find themselves.
Lastly, another similar organization you might be interested to check out is TEFL. This is also designed for teaching English as a foreign language. You can learn more at the TEFL website here
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