TOEFL Score Research Articles

TOEFL PREPARATION TRAINING PROGRAM TO ENHANCE STUDENTS’ TOEFL SCORE

TOEFL is one method of measuring English competence and serving as a standard for anyone studying or speaking English as a foreign language. Because the TOEFL is a globally renowned language test that certifies one's English ability, there is a minimum score to achieve in order to complete a certain requirement, such as a support document to apply for a job, institution, or study abroad. It is challenging for almost all Indonesians to attain a minimum TOEFL score. The purpose of this article was to figure out the effectiveness of the TOEFL preparation training program in enhancing students' TOEFL score. This paper gathered information using action research, which consists of four steps: planning, implementation, observation, and reflection. The TOEFL training program was carried out four times a week for a month, including eight meetings for listening comprehension, ten meetings for structure and written expression, and ten meetings for reading comprehension. The class divided into three classes for each class consisting of 32 students. From the result, it can be seen that there is a significant improvement after the students participated in the TOEFL training program. It showed the students who reach score ≤400 in post-test more than in pre-test and the score increased as expected. On the pre-test, the students who got scores 400-500 was only 3% and after the training was given it increased became 13%. It can be concluded that TOEFL training program not only helps the students to improve their scores but also their comprehension of the TOEFL test

Pelatihan TOEFL sebagai upaya meningkatkan kemampuan bahasa inggris dan pengembangan karier bagi Mahasiswa Fakultas Syariah UIN Salatiga

English is something that must be mastered in this era of globalization. One indicator of English proficiency is the TOEFL score. The purpose of this training is to improve the ability of UIN Salatiga Sharia Faculty students in 2022 to work on TOEFL questions. The participants in this training were 30 Sharia faculty students from various semesters who had been selected through portfolios. This training method involves a pretest, hybrid lectures (online and offline), and a post-test. The result of this study is an increase in student TOEFL scores from a minimum initial score of 310 to 350. Furthermore, the average score in the pretest is 315 to 375 in the post-test.

A RASCH ANALYSIS ON STUDENTS’ ABILITY IN STRUCTURE AND WRITTEN EXPRESSION SECTION OF TOEFL TEST

TOEFL test has been used in the universities for many purposes, for instance, since 2021, Sharia Faculty has implemented this rule for graduation requirements. Therefore, Sharia International Center (SIC) has initiated TOEFL Training Batch 1 to analyse the students’ English ability since the students have never been exposed to the TOEFL test before. This research was carried out to analyze the students’ English proficiency and difficulty to answer questions in the Structure and Written Expression part of the TOEFL test so that the they will get an insight about what should they emphasize to improve their score. Approximately 24 students’ answer sheets were collected and analysed using Winstep from Rasch Measurement Model. They answered 40 questions of the section. The findings of the study showed that many of the students (more than 50%) have low level of structure and written expression skills. Meaning that they have difficulties in answering some questions in this section. The results also reported that they still have difficulty to answer questions related to complex sentences and parallelism in a sentence. All these findings can be a valuable information for both students and English lecturers. Lecturers can help the students improve their English ability or TOEFL score by analysing types of question they cannot answer and then design the classroom teaching and learning focusing more on this aspect.

The Washback of Intensive TOEFL Training Program (ITTP) on Student’s Learning Motivation

This study attempts to quantify the washback effect of the intense TOEFL training program in order to inspire students' learning through improved test scores. The TOEFL results can then be used for academics objectives and faculty requirements. The study was experimental and included a paired-sample t-test and qualitative descriptive design through interviews (a mixed method). Forty (40) students were chosen from any of the departments at IAIN Parepare to participate, and this was done through pretest, treatments, and posttest. The pre-test and post-test employed in the research procedure were both used to determine the students' beginning scores as well as their final scores. The paired-sample t-test in SPSS is then used to assess the data gathered from the pre-test and post-test. The participants are questioned based on the program's experiences in order to acquire information about the students' learning motivation. The outcome revealed that there were sizable variations between the pre-test and post-test scores of the students. It was evident that participants' total TOEFL scores had improved as a result of the intense training. Also, the data from interview illustrated that the students were well-motivated during the training program. This program can enable the participants to have good self-study, nice self-learning preparation, and more desirably confident to learn English or TOEFL.

The Effect of TOEFL Preparation Course on EFL Undergraduate Students’ TOEFL Scores

TOEFL is important to measure one’s English proficiency, especially for higher education students. This test is frequently used for many purposes such as applying for a job and scholarship. Several universities in Indonesia use TOEFL as a graduation requirement, which means the students must take the TOEFL test before graduation. In mastering TOEFL, some students got difficulties because of some reasons. Therefore, the TOEFL preparation program was needed for students to increase their TOEFL scores. This study aimed to find out the effectiveness of the TOEFL preparation course on students’ TOEFL scores. This research was quantitative experimental research. There were 80 EFL students from various study programs in the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education, University of Muhammadiyah Prof. Dr. HAMKA who participated in this study. Before conducting the preparation program, the students took a TOEFL pre-test. After that, they took a TOEFL preparation class for seven meetings. The TOEFL post-test was used to see participants’ different scores after the preparation course was held and the result revealed that the students’ scores increased from the previous pre-test. Thus, TOEFL preparation classes are significant in improving students’ TOEFL scores and therefore recommended for students who want to take the TOEFL test.
 
 Keywords: TOEFL, TOEFL Preparation, TOEFL Score, EFL Students

EFL Students’ Difficulties in Answering Listening TOEFL of Short Dialogue Test

This study investigates the most difficult parts in listening comprehension test faced by undergraduate students from Universitas Teuku Umar. The subject was 30 students who have taken the TOEFL test more than three times. The study used descriptive qualitative research. The data were taken from students’ TOEFL score and interview. This study focused on 13 aspects of short dialogues (synonym, similar sound, Who, What and Where, Passive, Negative Expression, Double Negative, Negative with Comparative, “Almost Negative”, Expression of Surprise, Expression of Agreement, Uncertainty and Suggestion, Wishes and Untrue Condition, Idiomatic Expression) which adopted from Longman Complete Course for the TOEFL Test. The result found that the most difficult aspects in listening comprehension of short dialogue test were similar sound, uncertainty and suggestion, idiom words, and synonym. It was revealed that the most difficult aspect in listening Part A (short dialogue) is similar sound that was proven from students’ incorrect answer (97%), only 3% of them answered correctly, followed by Uncertainty and Suggestion (94%) and idiom words (94%), only 2% of students answered correctly from each of the aspect, and synonym (90%), 3% of them chose the right answers. The result of interview found that most of them got unfamiliar with the sound, lack of practice and low motivation in learning a foreign language. It can be stated that the most difficult aspect in listening short dialogue is similar sound and the factors that cause them hard to answer short dialogue part come from external (unfamiliar sound) and internal problems (lack of practice and low motivation). Keywords: Listening Comprehension, Short Dialogue Problems, TOEFL Test.

Implementing Online English Training Program to Improve Teachers’ English Proficiency And Webcam Monitoring Based Tests at a Vocational High School in Bandung, Indonesia

This Community Service Program at a state vocational high school in Bandung, Indonesia, aims to improve teachers’ English proficiency by conducting English training and the improvements are seen from the pre test and post test of a standardized test namely TOEFL-like. The participants who undertook those tests were 28 teachers coming from different fields of background and they had trainings of TOEFL materials such as Listening, Structure and Written Expressions, and Reading for approximately 24 hours. To find out the significant results of the training, the data from the TOEFL score were analyzed using pre-experiment one group pretest and posttest design. The results of the Program are that the activities of socialization, tests, and trainings were carried out successfully and right on schedule, and the training given to the participants has brought impacts to the increase of the participants’ skill as the score of post test improved significantly. However, some room for improvements in the future is suggested as the result of the questionnaire, such as enriched training materials and longer activities. As for the instructors, they need to improve the elements of enthusiasm and interest during delivering the materials, demonstrating and mastering the training material for future activities.

TOEFL untuk Meningkatkan Kualitas Bahasa Inggris Peserta Didik: Pelatihan dan Praktik

TOEFL or known as the Test of English as a Foreign Language is an English test that is used to measure the level of mastery of a student's English through listening, reading, and writing and structural expressions. This test is very useful for high school students. One of the benefits that can be felt by students is as preparation for college level. With good English skills, it will produce a maximum TOEFL score. Community service activities that have been carried out for JAYABAYA Tutoring students using the lecture, discussion, and practice methods of working on TOEFL questions. The lecture method used to motivate as well as deliver the material makes students feel enthusiastic about trying to work on the TOEFL questions. The method of discussion and practice is carried out to determine the level of students' English mastery through the TOEFL test. By providing discussions and opportunities to do TOEFL Exercises, it increases students' motivation to learn English

A Need Analysis of Learning Listening based on the Online Quizizz Application at English Language Education Department of Universitas Sembilanbelas November Kolaka

The aim of this study was to find out students’ needs on learning listening based on Online Quizizz at USN Kolaka. There were two kinds of instruments used in this study namely a close-ended questionnaire and an interview guide line. The questionnaire was distributed to 51 students of English Language Education Department USN Kolaka and two students were interviewed for further information. Six components of need analysis were assessed in this study namely students’ lack, students’ goal, input, procedure, learners’ roles, and teacher’s roles. It was found out that most students need to improve their listening skills which aim to crack the TOEFL score. They prefer to do the Quizizz listening exercises individually with students’ total control on the listening exercises. They need to have 2-4 chances of giving their best shot on the exercises within one week. They do not like being timed when answering the questions, and also background sound is off.

Utilizing online video conference platforms to teach English at universitas Bengkulu: Non-English department students' perceptions and their problems

Learning English at Bengkulu University before and after the Covid-19 pandemic showed a very different process. Face-to-face learning has turned into a learning process called Learning from Home. This study aims to describe the perceptions of Bengkulu University students from the Non-English Department and describe the problems they face in participating in online learning of MKU Bahasa Inggris. The data collected by using a Google Form questionnaire were described in a qualitative descriptive method. The results showed that students' perceptions of learning English online during the covid-19 pandemic had a positive perception. This can be seen from the percentage of the data based on several dimensions, namely the dimensions of performance expectations, learning atmosphere, and student interaction. With this positive perception result, it is hoped that the implementation of the Bengkulu University Rector's Decree No. 25 of 2020 regarding certain TOEFL score requirements for UNIB graduates can be achieved. The process of learning English using an online video conference platform at Universitas Bengkulu is generally well implemented so that it can support the implementation and achievement of the Rector's Decree in the future if the pandemic is still ongoing. Furthermore, most of the problems faced by the students in online learning are not in understanding the subject matter or in carrying out activities and doing the given assignments but in technical barriers, such as signal and electrical problems.

Supporting College Choice Among International Students through Collaborative Filtering.

In this paper we use historic score-reporting records and test-taker metadata to inform data-driven recommendations that support international students in their choice of undergraduate institutions for study in the United States. We investigate the use of Structural Topic Modeling (STM) as a context-aware, probabilistic recommendation method that uses test-takers’ selections and metadata to model the latent space of college preferences. We present the model results from two perspectives: 1) to understand the impact of TOEFL score and test year on test-takers’ preferences and choices and 2) to recommend to the test-taker additional undergraduate institutions for application consideration. We find that TOEFL scores can explain variance in the probability that test-takers belong to certain preference-groups and, by accounting for this, our system adjusts recommendations based on student score. We also find that the inclusion of year, while not significantly altering recommendations, does enable us to capture minor changes in the relative popularity of similar institutions. The performance of this model demonstrates the utility of this approach for providing students with personalized college recommendations and offers a useful baseline approach that can be extended with additional data sources.

Pelatihan Teknis Peningkatan kemampuan Bahasa Inggris Bagi Aparatur Sipil Negara (ASN) Di Lingkungan Pemerintah Provinsi Sumatera Barat

Community service as one of the Tri dharmas that must be carried out by lecturers aims to provide knowledge and experience regarding the use of English in the scope of daily activities and the working atmosphere of ASN in the Province of West Sumatra. This training is packaged through a hybrid workshop held during the Covid 19 pandemic which was taken place from 9-18 March 2022. The focus of this training activity is the mastery of spoken English, correspondence, and TOEFL to support the role of ASN as public servants. This material is based on the results of a pre-test conducted a few days before the training day which concluded that most of the selected ASN in the province of West Sumatra is at the Basic to Intermediate level. This service team is STBA Prayoga lecturers who have the duties and functions of a planning and implementing team. The implementation phase included the process of providing material through zoom meetings and Moodle for 3 days and then continuing with the implementation of community service activities for 5 days. The results of the service show that ASN who take part in the training are able to use English actively in the form of presentations, understand how to correspond formally and formally, and increase TOEFL scores.

Tertiary Students’ Strategies and Difficulties in Answering the TOEFL Test

The recent study investigates tertiary students' perspectives on the implementation of the TOEFL benchmark score as a graduation requirement. There were 100 students chosen randomly in this study. Their perspectives were gathered through a questionnaire and an interview to know the students’ strategies and difficulties in answering the TOEFL test. The results showed that most students agree with the TOEFL benchmark as a graduation requirement however they face obstacles in answering the test. From the interview, the result showed that they had difficulties in answering the listening and grammar sections. This resulted in unfamiliarity with foreign sounds and a lack of practice. Besides, students felt that the minimum TOEFL score for the graduation requirement was beyond their ability since most students were not introduced to TOEFL from the beginning of their study. Most students used their strategies in learning TOEFL through searching some materials on the internet as well as from the module they got from English courses. Such strategies help them to increase their ability to improve their TOEFL score.

The mapping of TOEFL scores among EFL students in Aceh

The purpose of this study was to describe the proficiency level of English for Foreign Language (EFL) students based on their TOEFL scores. The samples for this descriptive quantitative study consisted of 30 English Education Department students from Syiah Kuala University and Ar-Raniry State Islamic University. The scores gathered from the organised TOEFL test were analysed according to the CEFR reference levels to categorise the English proficiency level of the students. The total TOEFL scores gathered showed that, on average, the students placed in the B1 (intermediate) level of English proficiency. Individually, there were four students in the A2 (elementary) level, 15 students in the B1 (intermediate) level, ten students in the B2 (upper intermediate) level, and one student in the C1 (advanced) level of proficiency. Regarding the skills proficiency, on average, the students achieved the B2 (upper intermediate) level in the first section, which was higher than the remaining two sections that averaged on the B1 (intermediate) level. The students’ proficiency levels found in this study showed that, on average, they were able to pass the universities’ TOEFL graduation requirement but still fall short for abroad scholarship admission.

Validity and Fairness of TOEFL iBT Reading Test

The validity of the TOEFL, a large-scale worldwide test and a high-stake test, is the most concern for test-takers. The validity of TOEFL scores has been found positive as a whole but in reading comprehension. Four aspects are analyzed to study the validity of fairness of TOEFL iBT reading test. Results show that reading score are under-represented, with some cognitive validity issue, negative washback, and unfairness.

Penyuluhan dan Pelatihan TOEFL PBT Sebagai Jembatan Untuk Melanjutkan ke Jenjang Yang Lebih Tinggi di SMA Negeri 2 Pematangsiantar

The English language proficiency test, in this case the TOEFL, is a language test with an international standard to measure the ability to speak English for speakers whose mother tongue is not English. In Indonesia, there are several conditions that require a person to take the TOEFL test, including to continue to higher education both at home and abroad, fulfill college graduation requirements, find out the level of language skills applying for jobs, and get promoted. In general, there are three types of TOEFL, namely IBT (internet-based test), PBT (paper-based test), and ITP (Institutional Testing Program). Each type of requirement requires a different type of TOEFL test. The output of the solution in this activity is that students gain insight, knowledge and introduction about the importance of TOEFL to be able to continue to a higher level, students can understand the benefits obtained by taking the TOEFL test and getting a TOEFL certificate, students getting tips and tricks in working on questions. TOEFL PBT questions to get the desired TOEFL score, students get TOEFL PBT test experience, students can find out their TOEFL scores by taking the TOEFL PBT test simulation. In this regard, school age is considered the right time to introduce the TOEFL test to students, especially those who will soon graduate and continue their education to a higher level.

Flipping an IELTS Writing Course: Investigating its impacts on students’ performance and their attitudes

The technology-enhanced instructional approach has been proven to stimulate active learning and advance the teaching-learning process. The flipped classroom (FC) instructional method, an instructional technology part of blended learning, has gained remarkable popularity in recent years due to its promising and positive impacts on different aspects of students’ learning process (motivation, engagement, academic performance, independent learning). In the current study, an explanatory mixed-method approach was employed to investigate the implementation of the flipped pedagogical approach in a government-funded IELTS preparation course in Indonesia, particularly in the writing section of the course. It examined the impacts of this instructional technology method on learners’ writing performance and explored their learning attitudes and experiences. A number of 25 participants from various professional backgrounds aspiring to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees who were recruited based on their previous TOEFL or IELTS scores participated in this study. The findings of this study showed that the learners had a positive attitude toward the flipped instruction method, and their writing test achievement significantly improved as reflected in the official IELTS test scores. Method flexibility, independent learning, and collaborative and active learning were factors that emerged in the interviews that were considered the important determinants of the participants’ IELTS writing improvements.

Pelatihan Bahasa Inggris Prediction Test-TOEFL Like Section Structure dan Reading Bagi Siswa SMA Kesatrian 2 Semarang

<p>SMA Kesatrian 2 Semarang routinely organizes TOEFL English tests for prospective graduates. The Deputy Principal for Curriculum said that currently English is a very important provision for students after graduation. So, it is important to hold a TOEFL test to find out and improve students' English skills. In this activity which was held in early January 2022, the material in the TOEFL test that will be taught in this training is the Structure and Written Expression Section Reading Comprehension Section, namely the ability to understand and solve grammatical questions and reading texts in English, with consideration as advanced training. before and the importance of mastering both skills. In this activity, members of community service provide strategies in solving each problem in the Structure and Reading Section. The USM PKM team uses the lecture method in delivering the material and applies a pre-test and post-test system to evaluate the results of the activities. From the results of the pre-test and post-test, more than 75% of the participants experienced an increase in TOEFL scores. It can be concluded that the purpose of this service activity at SMA Kesatrian 2 Semarang was achieved. The material that we convey is very encouraging, new knowledge and understanding about the TOEFL test.</p><p>Keywords:<em> TOEFL, structure, reading</em></p>

LANGUAGE LEARNING STRATEGIES USED BY THE SUCCESSFUL TOEFL TEST-TAKERS OF ENGLISH EDUCATION DEPARTMENT UIN ALAUDDIN MAKASSAR

This research aimed to know the language learning strategies that used by the successful TOEFL test-takers of English Education Department UIN Alauddin Makassar. The research design of this study is descriptive qualitative. The subject of this research consisted of 5 students of English Education Department academic year 2015. In determining the subject of this research, the researcher used criteria that the students must achieve TOEFL score 500 that undertaken TOEFL once or twice. This research used interview instrument with supporting data from document. The result showed that the successful test-takers applied several learning strategies in TOEFL. The learning strategies that the successful test-takers used are compensation strategies by guessing the meaning of unfamiliar words, metacognitive strategies by setting goals, Affective strategies by giving self-encouragement, memory strategies by grouping some new words in a certain group to make easy at remembering the words and using keyword and imagery to help remember new words, cognitive strategies by make summary about TOEFL materials and watch and read books about TOEFL, and social strategies by practice TOEFL with friends and do peer correction.

Important but not desired: students’ perception towards English(es) in multilingual settings

ABSTRACT This article investigates students’ perceptions towards English(es), English(es) they desire, and (in)justice in English language teaching (ELT) practices in Indonesian multilingual contexts. Data from semi-structured interviews with five students majoring Arabic Language and Literature at an Islamic university in East Java, Indonesia, were analysed using native speakerism and linguistic imperialism frameworks. The university requires all students to enrol in English for Specific Purposes and Intensive English courses that are worth six credits and to obtain a particular TOEFL score before undergraduate thesis examination. The findings demonstrate that native English maintains its superiority, gains positive association, and is desired to offer chances for international participation such as working in international/multinational companies or studying overseas. Students’ teaching/learning activities are dictated under a native English regime. However, limited understanding and lack of awareness of World Englishes or English as lingua franca concepts have contributed to the construction of such ELT as fair practice.