TOEFL LESSONS

Barron's main TOEFL text, How to Prepare for the TOEFL, aims to help test takers succeed in either the pencil or computer based format. The thick book includes three compact disks. Each CD-ROM contains instructions and practice tests for the Listening Comprehension portion of the TOEFL. The book contains some introductory materials for teachers and test takers. It then devotes about half of the remainder of its space to a "Review of Problems and Questions" of each of the three main sections (Listening, Structure, Reading) and of the essays in the Test of Written English (TWE). Each of the chapters devoted to those sections include a computer tutorial and advice for improving test taker performances. The remainder of the book gives eight model tests, answer keys and explanatory answers for the model tests, and a transcript for their listening sections. Barron's Essential Words for the TOEFL begins with an introduction and two chapters explaining recent changes in the TOEFL, the overall test structure and the reading section of both test formats. As expected, most of the rest of the book gives advice on how to build vocabulary and what vocabulary to learn. One practice reading test is included at the end of the book. It is clearly written and well edited. It's a safe bet that this will be a popular book with students and teachers but I must say that it is the least useful inclusion in this review. Its contents offer both too little and too much for me to strongly recommend it. It offers too little because the core advice (to read a lot, make flash cards and words lists, learn words from old TOEFLs and this book, learn to use a dictionary and thesaurus) boils down to "read a lot and memorize a lot." It's too little because it omits sufficient practice materials to allow students to actually develop the skills men- tioned: That it offers too much advice is illustrated by a table on page 30 explaining that dictionaries may note several styles of usage. The table lists and defines nonstandard, informal, slang, vulgar, obsolete, archaic, rare, British, and regional. Is such information of any practical use in passing the TOEFL? While this advice will get little or no argument from supporters of 'received wisdom,' much recent research on improving reading indicates that memorizing word lists, even with definitions, lacks the really essential element of connecting familiarity and comprehension and interest. It may be true that drilling on vocabulary lists can provide familiarity, but it does not guarantee comprehension of alternate definitions.

Prospective TOEFL takers who are already 'upper intermediates' (or around 500 on the paper based TOEFL) might benefit from this book more than those at lower levels. Three of the Longman books and The Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test (published in 1996) are not as current as other books in this review. They are still useful because they reflect the major kinds of test items used in the paper based TOEFL and some of the CBTs. Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test and Longman Introductory Course differ from Barron's main text by going into more detail with exercises designed to develop specific skills tested on each section of the paper test, (e.g., restatements, negatives, passives, etc. on the listening section.) The basic format used in each chapter of both books is to explain general strategies and specific strategies for the focus section, then give a practice exercise or mini test for each skill. Longman also includes a slightly longer "TOEFL exercise" at the end of each skill section. Both include two complete practice TOEFLs, and some helpful appendices.

The Longman Preparation Course, Volume A includes more practice in the skills and strategies that can help students perform to the limit of their real language level. Teachers and students should be cautioned again that reading comprehension does not respond directly and positively to memorizing vocabulary lists. Unless test takers have developed a sufficient level of general English comprehension, they won't benefit much from any TOEFL prep book. If they have developed an appropriate level of general English, they (and their teachers) won't go wrong with any of the books discussed here, yes, even with Barron's Essential Words for the TOEFL. The CD-ROMs included with the Barron's main text and the Longman CBT Volume are about equal in quality and usefulness. The instructions are clear and the graphic layouts are sharp and professional. Longman focuses on the computer based test in a slimmer book than the Barron's, and therefore might be a better choice for anyone who is limited to a single text, and is sure they will not need to prepare for the paper test. The Barron's would better serve teachers and students who are limited to one text, and are interested in preparing for both test formats. My personal recommendation is to buy both if there is time and money to do it right. Time and lots of interesting comprehensible supplementary reading materials are particularly important if working in a classroom situation with students who are intermediate level or lower (below 500 on paper TOEFL), and who are not likely to benefit from any short course in TOEFL prep.

Books: Barron's Essential Words for the TOEFL, 2nd ed., 1999, Matthiesen, S.J. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational Series, Inc. ISBN 0-7641-0466-7, 294 pp.
Barron's How to Prepare for the TOEFL, 9th ed., 1999, Sharpe, P.J. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational Series, Inc.ISBN 0-7641-7265-4, 696 pp.
Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test, 2nd ed., 1996, Gear, J.G. and Gear, R. New York:, NY: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-57771-3, 553 pp.
Longman Introductory Course for the TOEFL Test, 1996, Phillips, D. White Plains, NY: Addison Wesley Longman. ISBN 0-201-89899-3, 336 pp. Longman Preparation Course for the TOEFL Test, Volume A, Skills and Strategies, 1996, Phillips, D. White Plains, NY: Addison Wesley Longman. ISBN 0-201-84676-4, 412 pp.
Longman Preparation Course for the TOEFL Test, CBT Volume, Companion to Skills and Strategies volume a, 1999, Phillips, D. White Plains, NY: Addison Wesley Longman. ISBN 0-201-37908-2 (0-201-60437-x), 179 pp.

Harold A. Smith, Ed.D., is professor and chair of ESL/TESOL at Shenandoah University, Winchester, Virginia.