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The iBT TOEFL test was developed by the Educational Testing Service in America, and is administered in Thailand by the Institute of International Education (IIE).  AUA was proud to be chosen as their partner for the introduction of the new iBT TOEFL to Thailand in a series of seminars held around the country.

Why did the TOEFL change?

The TOEFL was always a reliable test, but universities in America  complained that many students who passed the test could not speak and write well enough.  TOEFL responded by adding a test of speaking and an additional integrated writing task.  The new iBT TOEFL is now a more valid test, as well as still being reliable.   You can listen to one of the world's most senior test designers speak about these changes to our AEP students in our live lectures series.

What are the changes?

1. Speaking has been added to the test
2. The writing and speaking sections include integrated tasks
3. You can take notes during the exam
4. All explicit grammar questions are gone
5. You must write using the computer

The test takes four hours, and is divided into four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing.

Reading

• Three reading texts (600-700 words)
• 12-14 questions for each reading text
• Questions on comprehension, summary/classification and inferencing

Listening

• Four lectures and two conversations
• Listenings are longer than before
• You can make notes as you listen
• Different English accents, not just American
• New questions about the speakers attitude or real purpose (pragmatics).

Speaking

• two personal tasks: 'talking about you and your experiences'
• four integrated tasks: listen and/or read, then speak about subject
• Students speak into a microphone, not to a real person

Writing

• Two writing tasks
• Must respond using the computer
• One opinion essay based on your personal experience
• One integrated task: read, listen and then write.

For more information, try our on-line slide-show:  

How Does the Academic English Program (AEP) Prepare Students for TOEFL?

Most of the skills needed to get a good score on the new iBT TOEFL test as the same skills you will need and use in your university life.  All AUA teachers are familiar with the test, and build their lessons around the English needed for these test-taking, study and living skills.  In addition, we offer two courses which prepare students explicitly for the test-taking experience: Writing for TOEFL and IELTS, and iBT TOEFL Skills.