2004-10-27
This is Gwen Outen with the VOA Special English Education Report.
TOEFL is an important test for foreign students who want to study
in the United States. TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign
Language. And today, it is the subject in part nine of our Foreign
Student Series.
More than four thousand American universities and other schools
require students seeking admission to take the test. It measures the
ability to read, write and understand English.
The Educational Testing Service produces two kinds of TOEFL
tests. One is taken by computer in a special testing center. This is
how people in most areas of the world take the TOEFL. The second
version is taken with paper and pencil.
One of our listeners, Ana Paula Pinheiro in Brazil, has written
to ask us about the minimum score needed to pass the TOEFL.
Colleges and universities set their own requirements. But, in
general, schools want a minimum score on the paper-and-pencil test
of about five hundred fifty. This is out of a possible six hundred
seventy-seven points. On the computer test, schools generally
require a minimum score of about two hundred thirteen out of a
possible three hundred points.
The TOEFL includes a part to test listening skills. A new TOEFL
is being developed. It will also test speaking skills. This test
will be given starting in September of two thousand five. The
Educational Testing Service says it is still doing tests to see what
might be considered a passing score.
You can take the TOEFL as many times as you wish. But you must
pay each time. The cost is about one hundred thirty dollars. Experts
say it is a good idea to take the test one or two times for
experience.
They also say the best way to prepare for the TOEFL is to use
English as much as you can. Internet users can find more information
about the TOEFL at www.toefl.org. The postal address is TOEFL
Services, Educational Testing Service, Post Office Box
six-one-five-one, Princeton, New Jersey, zero-eight-five-four-one,
U-S-A.
Our Foreign Student Series is online at voaspecialenglish dot
com. And if you have a general question about studying in the United
States, send it to special@voanews.com. We can only answer questions
on the air.
This VOA Special English Education Report was written by Nancy
Steinbach. This is Gwen Outen.