Michael reads an evaluates a TOEFL essay from one of his students.

Hi TOEFLer,

This is Michael Buckhoff, founder and materials writer for Better TOEFL Scores. Below I have posted a TOEFL or ESL related video to help you to improve your English proficiency. Enjoy!

Here is the essay the student wrote:

Many people have learned a foreign language in their own country; others have learned a foreign language in the country in which it is spoken. Which is better? Give the advantages of each and support your viewpoint.

There are two possible choices to learn language. The first is to learn at home country and the second is abroad among native speakers. Studying at home doesn’t require big amount of money and brings ample results, on the other hand studying abroad brings significantly better results and helps to acquire language patterns more naturally. Both have advantages, however, learning foreign language in the country where it is spoken is better.

Almost everybody started to learn foreign language in their own country. It is quite common to start at the age of five or six with basic structures and vocabulary to name essential objects, to introduce oneself, or to ask particular questions. This is based on elementary grammar, followed by higher and higher levels. It is learned at schools where everybody is able to study for free. This makes the whole process relatively free. The only expense is to purchase some study materials. The overall benefit is that most of the students achieve sufficient level of knowledge and are able to speak and write.

Another possibility of acquisition of foreign language is in the country where it is used by native speakers. Here one comes in every-day contact with new vocabulary; from the very first moment in the morning till evening. Because of interaction, learner gets used to grammar patterns. Native speakers usually use proper grammar and sentence structure, which result in subconscious assimilation of language rules. This is follow by fast improvements in both speaking and writing abilities. And not only these, but also writing gets better, since learner reads newspapers or advertisements in streets. Other activities — watching TV shows, soap operas or listen to announcement in subway — force the learner to think about the meaning and subsequently to use foreign language to ponder.

To sum up, learning language in our own country brings us essential basis of grammar and decent vocabulary without significant expenses. But a better way of learning is in a country where it is spoken, since it transforms us and helps to use language more effectively.

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Hi Michael,

Today, I received my TOEFL score. My overall score is 100/120. The break up is as follows:

Reading: 22/30

Listening: 25/30

Speaking: 26/30

Writing : 27/30

I want to thank you for helping me. I liked your STEALTH series. I liked your passion about teaching and you want everyone to succeed. I did not have much time to prepare. I was nervous but after watching your lectures, I was confident that I would do fine.

In the end, I want to tell you that you should be proud of yourself that what an incredible teacher you are. I am also a teacher but I teach Microsurgery which is little bit different from English and I commend the efforts you put in your students(including me) with continuous guidance through your newsletters and videos.
Please feel free to contact me for any questions and correct this letter.
Take care,
Syed Gillani, MD

Michael,

I can say that it’s very important to organize your time efficiently to reach your target score.
my first toefl was 72 and after 3 months I was able to score 84.
Therefore I think it’s important to have strategy in your study, by the way I want to thank you Mr Michael your tips were very helpful to me especially in speaking section because I scored 23.

mohamed

Hi Michael,

I receieved my scores at TOEFL. My overall score is 106/120. The break up is as follows:

Reading: 26/30

Listening: 26/30

Speaking: 26/30

Writing : 28/30
.