By Aesil Kim
If English opened up doors for me to unleash my dreams and helped me take on the world as my stage, my TOEFL score was like my passport. My English skills have allowed me to interact with people from all cultures and learn valuable lessons.
To many Korean students the TOEFL test could be described as a challenge. But I want to convey that studying for the TOEFL test should not be an overwhelming experience, but a worthwhile experience. English is not the end but a means to become a global actor and the TOEFL test is one of the most accurate tests to verify the sharpness of this tool. Achieving a high TOEFL score is not the end, but the beginning of a new and exciting chapter. I hope that more Korean students would take on this challenge and excel in English to become active global citizens. With this anticipation in mind, I have suggested some tips that are practical and may also be enjoyable in preparing for the TOEFL exam.
To improve your listening skills, I recommend watching movies without subtitles. When you find an inspirational film, search the script online and read it. I realized that reading the script as you listen has a positive influence in developing your listening skills. Once you familiarize yourself with what you are listening to through the script, you can catch words and expressions that had slipped your ears before. You can practice TOEFL listening skills with the same method using the listening script that you can find at the end of most TOEFL practice books.
For speaking, I suggest incorporating key words or phrases that you can use every time such as “if I could choose between A and B.” During preparation time, try to brainstorm specific examples or at least two points so that you don’t run out of things to say. One big factor that enabled me to speak to foreigners like I do today was that I was never ashamed of my English skills as a beginner. It is absolutely normal for a Korean to use wrong expressions or incorrect words from time to time. It is also natural to get confused with grammar or pronunciation. The problem is not those small mistakes, but the lack of confidence. Embrace the fact that you are a Korean trying to learn a second language. Although it may be at a slow pace, be thankful that you are progressing. Acknowledging these facts will help you get rid of the English phobia and perfectionism that prevents you from freely expressing yourself in English.
For the reading section the best advice I have is to read as much as possible. When I was in high school, I searched online for the list of books that American high school students would read before going to college and read almost all the books on that list. The fact that I was studying English in Korea worked as an incentive for me to try harder and become better. The best part is that my TOEFL reading skills improved while I was enjoying myself reading the finest literary pieces of all times. From “To Kill a Mockingbird” to “Lord of the Flies,” I still carry with me the insight that I gained while reading those books. Another practical piece of advice would be to always be thorough and attentive. Many students don’t bother to go over the mistakes that they made during practice tests. They would just give a glance, mark it wrong, and make the same mistake again. It helps to have a separate notebook where you can arrange the questions that you got wrong and make sure that you understand the reason that your answer was incorrect. As you wrestle with the question that was marked wrong and try to understand the correct answer, you will naturally increase your capacity to find the right answer in the passage.
Writing has always been the most difficult section of the TOEFL exam for me because I am a slow writer. In order to overcome my weakness in writing, I practiced writing as much as possible using the process of brainstorming. If what you want to write is clearly organized, time limitation is not a problem. Try spending at least three minutes before beginning your essay to lay out your main points and the examples you want to use. Once the organization is done you will find that writing is a piece of cake. I also recommend using a thesaurus to change easy and common words into sophisticated words and memorize them so that you won’t have to waste time trying to come up with better expressions during the exam.
If you are a beginner and are quite overwhelmed with the advice I gave you so far, don’t worry and give yourself enough time to prepare for the test. Don’t try to do it over a short period of time. Begin by learning a lot of vocabulary. Knowing a wide range of words will help you in all areas of the TOEFL test. Try picking up small habits such as listening to at least one English song a day or watching a video clip in English. Make resolutions such as to read at least one English news article or ten pages of an English book per day. English does not have to remain inside of thick and boring practice books. Familiarize yourself with English in your daily life patterns. Start from today and make every moment count. Remember that the process of studying for the TOEFL test can be a meaningful and life-changing experience if you just allow it to.
As I mentioned earlier, a good TOEFL score cannot be an end goal. It is not just a piece of paper that helps you get into college. Fluency in English will open new doors and help you realize that you have a part to play in the global arena. Knowing this, the world will be your stage and you will be able to contribute to make the world a better place.
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