There are two different tests: listening/reading, and speaking/writing.
Scoring
- Top TOEIC score: 990
- Lowest score: 10
If the score is from the listening/reading test only, then you may find very poor communication ability.
The TOEIC score roughly translates to textbook levels, but use the student's real output level in class to assess which level textbook you suggest.
SPEAKING
Key lessons:
Text: Clear Speech Intermediate
- Schwa, the unclear vowel (PDF in the curriculum folder)
Text: Pronunciation in Use Intermediate
- Connected speech (PDF in the curriculum folder)
Questions 1–2—Read a text aloud
Directions: In this part of the test, read aloud the text on the screen.
- The student will have 45 seconds to prepare.
- Then the student will have 45 seconds to read the text aloud.
Use the pronunciation lessons above (trials of Clear Speech and Pronun in Use).
Practice: Read The English Farm discussion lessons out loud:
- Choose a discussion post
- Choose about 2 paragraphs (see below for the amount of text).
- Prepare for 45 seconds,
- Read for 45 seconds.
E.g.:
If you’re shopping, sightseeing and running around every minute, your vacation can seem like hard work. To avoid vacation stress, come to the Blue Valley Inn on beautiful Lake Mead. While staying at our inn, you’ll breathe clean country air as you view spectacular sights. With its spacious rooms, swimming pool and many outdoor activities, the inn is the perfect place for a vacation you won’t forget. The Blue Valley Inn prides itself on the personal attention it provides to every guest. The Blue Valley motto has always been “A happy guest is our greatest treasure.
Question 3—Describe a picture
Describe the picture on your screen in as much detail as you can.
- The student will have 30 seconds to prepare your response.
- Then the student will have 45 seconds to speak about the picture
Use a blog with active pictures.
Questions 4–6: Respond to questions
For each question, begin responding immediately after you hear a beep. No preparation time is provided. You will have 15 seconds to respond to Questions 4 and 5, and 30 seconds to respond to Question 6.
4: How often do you watch television? [15 seconds to respond]
5: What kinds of programs do you usually watch? [15 seconds to respond]
6: Describe your favorite television program. [30 seconds to respond]
Tips:
1. Know how to answer opinion questions- Many of the questions in this part of the test will ask you about your favorite thing, or about things you prefer or like. Do not just give one word answer say why.
2. Watch out for questions with two parts. Answer both. For instance, Where would you like to travel ,and why?
3. To start your answer, you rephrase the question by picking out the keywords:
Q: Where do you go when you want to be alone?
A: When I want to be alone, I_________./ Well, let me think.., Hmmm..That’s a good question,
4. Give as much information as you can. You can explain, give example or evidence. (See STS 3,4)
5. Know how to answer How questions. How questions have many functions. They can ask about methods, ask about quantities, and time. So you need to know what the question asks you about.
6. Become familiar with how you organize your answer. Here are examples for organizing opinion and describe questions:
Questions 7–9: Respond using information provided
- Students will answer three questions based on information provided.
- You will have 30 seconds to read the information before the questions begin.
- For each question, begin responding immediately after you hear a beep. No additional preparation time is provided.
- You will have 15 seconds to respond to Questions 7 and 8, and
- 30 seconds to respond to Question 9.
Question 10: Propose a solution
Students will be presented with a problem and asked to propose a solution.
- 30 seconds to prepare
- 60 seconds to speak
Question 11: Express an opinion
Students give their opinion about a specific topic.
Be sure to say as much as you can in the time allowed.
- 15 seconds to prepare
- 60 seconds to speak
Example:
Question: (Narrator): Some people prefer to take a job that does not pay well but does provide a lot of time off from work. What is your opinion about taking a job with a low salary that has a lot of vacation time? Give reasons for your opinion.
Practice: You can use the topics from the G.B.C. page and choose LEVEL: Elementary, click "Apply.
LISTENING
The Listening parts will last approximately 45 minutes.
There are four parts
PART 1—Describe a picture
For each question in this part, the student will hear four statements about a picture in your test book. They must select the one statement that best describes what they see in the picture. The statements will not be printed in the test book and will be spoken only one time.
E.G: This image from The Sartorialist
A) The woman is running down the street
B) The woman is sitting in a cafe
C) The woman is talking on the phone
D) The woman is talking to a colleague
The best answer would be C. We don't know who she is talking to (so not D), and we can see she is not running.
Practice: use more pictures from The Sartorialist (or any other site with photos). Send the picture, say 4 things about it.
PART 2—Listen to a single statement
The student will hear a question or statement and three responses spoken in English. They will not be printed in your test book and will be spoken only one time. Select the best response to the question or statement and mark the letter (A), (B), or (C) on the answer sheet.
Practice: Best done outside of TEF lessons, but simply just put "TOEIC Listening Part 3" into YouTube.
PART 3—Listen to a conversation
The student will hear some conversations between two or more people. They will be asked to answer three questions about what the speakers say in each conversation. Select the best response to each question and mark the letter (A), (B), (C), or (D) on your answer sheet. The conversations will not be printed in your test book and will be spoken only one time.
Practice: Simple: just put "TOEIC Listening Part 3" into YouTube.
More fun practice:
- Use a YouTube clip from a TV show you like (preferably not offensive and office-related)
- Play the audio for about 20-seconds YouTube clips from a TV show. Ask very basic questions about what happened.
- Since it's audio-only, try to choose ones that are effective via sound and not too fast.
This compilation works:
- Best of Michael Scott - The Office US — stop every 10-20 seconds and ask comprehension questions.
Example question:
Why is the man calling?
(A) To cancel an order
(B) To complain about a product
(C) To get help for a medical emergency
(D) To get help for a business issue
PART 4—Listen to a monologue
The student will hear some talks given by a single speaker. They will be asked to answer three questions about what the speaker says in each talk.
Practice: Search "TOEIC Part 4 on YouTube
E.g. What does the speaker say about the repair?
(A) It is not required.
(B) It has been finished early.
(C) It will be inexpensive.
(D) It is covered by a warranty
READING TEST
The Reading parts will last 75 minutes.
There are three parts, and directions are given for each part. You are encouraged to answer as many questions as possible within the time allowed.
PART 5—Short fill in the blank
A word or phrase is missing in each of the sentences below.
Four answer choices are given below each sentence. Select the best answer to complete the sentence. Then mark the letter (A), (B), (C), or (D) on your answer sheet.
Practice outside the lesson
PART 6—Long fill in the blank
A word, phrase, or sentence is missing in parts of each text.
Four answer choices for each question are given below the text. Select the best answer to complete the text. Then mark the letter (A), (B), (C), or (D) on your answer sheet.
Practice outside the lesson
PART 7—Reading comprehension
Read a selection of texts, such as magazine and newspaper articles, e-mails, and instant messages.
Each text or set of texts is followed by several questions. Select the best answer for each question and mark the letter (A), (B), (C), or (D) on your answer sheet.
Practice: use The English Farm discussions
- Option 1: Allow the student to read the article within 2 minutes,
- then ask specific comprehension questions (who, what, when?)
- finally, ask general comprehension questions (why, how?)
- Option 2: Practice scanning by giving only 30 seconds to read an article, then ask specific questions.