TOEFL OCW

OpenCourseWare from the Test of English as a Foreign Language, or TOEFL, course at the College of Chicago Fall Trimester 2013 Block 1 taught by Mr. Danoff.

Lessons

Lesson 1 (15 July 2013)

Time Lesson Plan What Happened in Class
9:30 - 10:30

1 | Introduce new syllabi
2 | Review last block's skills

1 | Reviewed last block's skills
* Had students take the Lessons 9 to 11 Complete Guide to the TOEFL iBT Exam review quiz from last block again. Afterwards students compared their results today with those of last block to compare their scores and see what they had forgotten. Next they worked in pairs to try and find the exact answer for each question (without notes). Finally, we reviewed the answers as a class and I distributed the answer key to them.

2 | Introduce new syllabi
* Students read syllabi independently taking notes, and coming up with 1 to 3 individual questions. First the checked with their partners for answers, then we disussed them as a class.
* Finally, the instructor walked through the syllabus highlighting the most important sections for the class.

10:40 - 12:00

1 | Review the Advanced/Integrative task worksheets from last block on "Dark Matter".

1 | Vocabulary Lesson 8 Matching Race
* Placed students into pairs and had them "race" through the 10 multiple choice questions of "Essential Words for the TOEFL" lesson 8 as a quick introduction to the words.

2 | Review the Advanced/Integrative task worksheets from last block on "Dark Matter".
* Students checked answers in pairs and we were able to finish reviewing most of the Passage 1 comprehension questions.

12:45 - 14:00

1 | Barron's TOEFL iBT Model Test 1 Reading Simulation

1 | Barron's TOEFL iBT Model Test 1 Reading Simulation

2 | Students fill out their daily Learning Log entry

14:00 - 15:00

1 | English Pronunciation/IPA Elective

1 | English Pronunciation/IPA Elective
* Worked our way through Lessons 7 and 8 of "English Pronunciation Made Simple"

Homework
  1. Finish vocab lesson 8
  2. Read and review texbook lessons 9 - 11 (especially parts you did not remember on the quiz)
  3. Read and take notes on "Performance Feedback for Test Takers" and bring hand written notes to class
  4. Answer the "Fun English Question" on the blog via e-mail or bring a hand-written answer to class
  5. Read all of the syllabus and bring your questions to class
  6. (if not already done) Finish all vocab and questions from the Dark Matter Worksheets

Lesson 2 (16 July 2013)

Lesson 3 (17 July 2013)

Time Lesson Plan What Happened in Class
9:30 - 10:30

1 | Review prior day's TOEFL Simulation
2 | Introduce Replay Questions
3 | Take notes on a listening passage of 3 to 5 minutes
4 | Practice recognizing common American idioms in listening passages

1 | Replay questions introduction
* Gave the students a worksheet asking for some of the key ideas from Chapter 12 about "Replay Questions" and then we discussed them for a bit, focusing on examples of how the same English word can have very different meanings, dependant on context.

2 | Reviewed yesterday's reading TOEFL Simulation
* Gave students a paper version of the question about Beowulf. First they read independently and tried to answer the questions, then they reviewed with their partners and finally we reviewed as a class, focusing especially on why wrong answers were wrong to clarify the strategy of eliminating wrong answer choices if you are not totally sure about the answer.

10:40 - 12:00

1 | Computer Science: Digital Storytelling | Reading/Writing Advanced/Integrative Lesson

1 | Vocabulary Lesson 8 Multiple Choice Review & Chapter 9 Synonym Matching Race
* Reviewed the multiple choice questions from lesson 8 and then had the students individually race through the synonym matching exercise from chaper 9. I was surprised by how well they did after I only gave them a minute or so to work.

2 | Continued Reviewing the Advanced/Integrative Reading/Writing worksheet from last block on "Dark Matter".
* This Dark Matter material is extremely dense, and it has taken much longer than I planned for the students to complete. It is a good experience for them to be working with this high level material and accessing it, just it is a slow process. Accordingly, the Digital Storytelling activity has been pushed back.

12:45 - 14:00

1 | Barron's TOEFL iBT Model Test 1 Listening Simulation

1 | Barron's TOEFL iBT Model Test 1 Listening Simulation
Was one of the longest listening simulations the students have had to complete.

2 | Students fill out their daily Learning Log entry

14:00 - 15:00

1 | Elective | Chicago Guide for ESL Students Project

1 | Elective | Chicago Guide for ESL Students Project (Download outline from danoff.org [.pdf])
* Started this month's project that will have the students from both the TOEFL and IEP classes work together to develop a useful guide that future new ESL students coming to Chicago can use to make their experience easier!

Homework
  1. Finish vocab lessons 9-10
  2. Study vocab lessons 8-10 for Thursday's quiz
  3. Finish revision of the Survey Project Essay
  4. Due Thursday: Rough draft of your Neihborhood/Town review for the Guide
  5. Due Monday: Rough draft of your restaurant/bar review
  6. Due Monday: Inform your teacher of what concert you will attend

Lesson 4 (18 July 2013) [THIS LESSON NOT FINISHED]

Time Lesson Plan What Happened in Class
9:30 - 10:30

1 | Review prior day's TOEFL Simulation
2 | Replay Questions Lecture (2 of 3)
3 | Take notes on a listening passage of 3 to 5 minutes
* Begin to recognize the function of verbal inferences in tonality and emphasis

a | Replay Questions Lecture (2 of 3) | 09:30 - 10:37
Gave the students a worksheet, reviewing what we covered yesterday about replay questions in Lesson 12 of the textbook and going through pages 131-133 of The Official Guide to the TOEFL Test. While we were going through the pages, we discussed idioms that came up, and focused on how tone can help students uncover the attitude/stance of speakers to help with questions asking them to infer.
Download Replay Questions & Pragmatic Understanding Questions Worksheet with Answers [ODT File, 36.5 kB, 2 pp, via danoff.org]

10:40 - 12:00

1 | Computer Science: Digital Storytelling | Listening Advanced/Integrative Lesson

b | Lessons 8 - 10 Vocab Practice Quiz | 10:50 - 11:11
Gave students a practice quiz reviewing the three chapters that will be on tomorrow's quiz. We also reviewed answers to lessons 9 and 10.
Download Lessons 8-10 Practice Quiz [ODT File, 29.6 kB, 2 pp, via danoff.org] | Answer Key [ODT File, 18.9 kB, 1 p, via danoff.org]

c | Note Taking Practice Worksheet 2 | 11:11 - 11:45
Completed a worksheet teaching students how to take notes on a compare/contrast lecture. We listened to the 6:36 minutes lecture twice to make sure everyone was clear.

d | Reviewed section 3 of yesterday's Listening Simulation | 11:45 - 12:00
Began by having the students again listen, take notes and complete the exercises of the 7:00 minutes lecture on drawing. Afterwards they compared their answers and notes with a partner and finally we checked all the answers together.

12:45 - 14:00

1 | Barron's TOEFL iBT Model Test 1 Writing Simulation

e | School lunch for Jane's last day at Noodles by Takashi Yagihashi on the 7th floor of the State Street Macy's. | 12:00 - 13:30

f | Barron's TOEFL iBT Model Test 1 Writing Simulation | 13:30 - 14:30

14:00 - 15:00

1 | Elective | Intermediate Conversation

1 | Elective | Intermediate Conversation | 14:30 - 15:00
Students completed 'Not my type' lesson 6 of "Taboos and Issues".

Homework

  1. Study vocab lessons 8-10 and replay questions/pragmatic understanding questions for tomorrow's quiz
  2. Rough draft of your Neihborhood/Town review for the Guide
  3. Due Monday: Rough draft of your restaurant/bar review
  4. Due Monday: Inform your teacher of what concert you will attend

Lesson 5 (22 July 2013)

Time Lesson Plan What Happened in Class
9:30 - 10:30

1 | Review prior day's TOEFL Simulation
2 | Replay Questions Lecture (3 of 3)
3 | Take notes on a listening passage of 3 to 5 minutes (3 of 3)
* Learn to recognize common tricks such as distortion in incorrect multiple choice answers

a | Vocab Lessons 8-10 and Replay Questions/Pragmatic Understanding Questions Quiz | 09:30 - 10:05

b | Review yesterday's writing simulation | 10:15 - 11:16
Started by re-reading the reading passage, reading the lecture, examining a sample outline and discussing those in relation to what the sutdents had done. None of them seemed to be using an outline, so I recommended that as a way to save time overall, because you
Download Replay Questions & Pragmatic Understanding Questions Worksheet with Answers [ODT File, 36.5 kB, 2 pp, via danoff.org]

a | Replay Questions Lecture (2 of 3) | 09:30 - 10:37
Gave the students a worksheet, reviewing what we covered yesterday about replay questions in Lesson 12 of the textbook and going through pages 131-133 of The Official Guide to the TOEFL Test. While we were going through the pages, we discussed idioms that came up, and focused on how tone can help students uncover the attitude/stance of speakers to help with questions asking them to infer.
Download Replay Questions & Pragmatic Understanding Questions Worksheet with Answers [ODT File, 36.5 kB, 2 pp, via danoff.org]

10:40 - 12:00

1 | Computer Science: Digital Storytelling | Listening Advanced/Integrative Lesson

b | Lessons 8 - 10 Vocab Practice Quiz | 10:50 - 11:11
Gave students a practice quiz reviewing the three chapters that will be on tomorrow's quiz. We also reviewed answers to lessons 9 and 10.
Download Lessons 8-10 Practice Quiz [ODT File, 29.6 kB, 2 pp, via danoff.org] | Answer Key [ODT File, 18.9 kB, 1 p, via danoff.org]

c | Note Taking Practice Worksheet 2 | 11:11 - 11:45
Completed a worksheet teaching students how to take notes on a compare/contrast lecture. We listened to the 6:36 minutes lecture twice to make sure everyone was clear.

d | Reviewed section 3 of yesterday's Listening Simulation | 11:45 - 12:00
Began by having the students again listen, take notes and complete the exercises of the 7:00 minutes lecture on drawing. Afterwards they compared their answers and notes with a partner and finally we checked all the answers together.

12:45 - 14:00

1 | Barron's TOEFL iBT Model Test 1 Writing Simulation

e | School lunch for Jane's last day at Noodles by Takashi Yagihashi on the 7th floor of the State Street Macy's. | 12:00 - 13:30

f | Barron's TOEFL iBT Model Test 1 Writing Simulation | 13:30 - 14:30

14:00 - 15:00

1 | Elective | Intermediate Conversation

1 | Elective | Intermediate Conversation | 14:30 - 15:00
Students completed 'Not my type' lesson 6 of "Taboos and Issues".

Homework

  1. Revise survey project essay
  2. Finish Lesson 11 vocab
  3. Find a concert to attend
  4. Finish restaurant review
  5. Organized binders with all of week 1's handouts and your student work

Lesson 6 (23 July 2013)

Time Lesson Plan What Happened in Class
9:30 - 10:30

1 | Review prior day's TOEFL Simulation
2 | Review last week's skills and vocab quizzes
3 | Introduce Ordering & Matching Questions (1 of 4)
4 | Take notes on a listening passage of 5-6 minutes (1 of 4)

a | Introduce Ordering & Matching Questions (1 of 4) | 09:30 - 10:22

b | Reviewed Vocabulary Lesson 11 homework | 10:30 - 10:40

c | Friday's listening skills and vocab quizzes | 10:40 - 10:50

10:40 - 12:00

1 | Review yesterday's speaking simulation
2 | Computer Science: Digital Storytelling - Reading Advanced/Integrative Lesson

d | Computer Science: Digital Storytelling - Reading Advanced/Integrative Lesson | 10:50 - 12:00
Completed the speaking prompts and passage 1 questions/vocabulary.

12:45 - 14:00

1 | Barron's TOEFL iBT Model Test 2 Listening Simulation

e | Barron's TOEFL iBT Model Test 2 Listening Simulation | 12:45 - 14:00

f | Students completed their Learning Logs and we discussed the evening's homework | 14:00 - 14:05

14:00 - 15:00

1 | English Pronunciation/IPA Elective

g | English Pronunciation/IPA Elective
* Worked our way through Lesson 9 of "English Pronunciation Made Simple"

Homework

  1. Finish Digital Storytelling worksheet and take notes on the first 10 minutes of the video homework (http://is.gd/storytellingvideo)
  2. Finish Lesson 12 vocab
  3. Organized binders with all of week 1's handouts and your student work
  4. Finish any assignments you are behind on for the Chicago ESL Guide Project
Time Lesson Plan What Happened in Class
9:30 - 10:30

1 | Review prior day's TOEFL Simulation
2 | Ordering & Matching Questions (2 of 4)
3 | Take notes on a listening passage of 5-6 minutes (2 of 4)
4 | Make predictions based on a listening passage

a | Warm up: Discussed the cover and subject of the current issue of Today's Chicago Women - 100 Chicago Women of Influence | 09:30 - 09:40

b | Reviewed two questions from Thursday's speaking simulation | 09:40 - 10:20
Looked at the independent question about marriage partners. Students made an outline and then practiced giving their 45 second response with partners.
Repeated the procedure for the meal plan integrated question and then we read over the book's example answers for both speaking questions.

c | Listening Simulation Review | 10:30 - 10:56
Gave them 15 minutes to read over a long zoology lecture and then had them work in pairs to answer all the questions.
We came back together as a class to discuss all of the answers in detail.

10:40 - 12:00

1 | Computer Science: Digital Storytelling - Listening and Writing Advanced/Integrative Lesson

d | Computer Science: Digital Storytelling - Listening and Writing Advanced/Integrative Lesson | 11:03 - 12:00
After the speaking prompts I had the students complete a video quiz using the notes they took last night on the video about ds106. I was surprised how well they did and after that we went into detail about tonight's homework, the "Stories Written in Windows Media Player" ds106 assignment.

12:45 - 14:00

1 | Barron's TOEFL iBT Model Test 2 Reading Simulation

e | Barron's TOEFL iBT Model Test 2 Reading Simulation | 12:45 - 14:25
Students did their learning logs after the long simulation.

14:00 - 15:00

1 | Elective | Guide to Chicago for ESL Students Guide

f | Guide to Chicago for ESL Students Guide | 14:20 - 15:15
Reviewed student's work last week for the guide and dicussed their steps going forward.

Homework

  1. Stories Written in Windows Media Player ds106 Assignment
  2. Finish Lesson 13 vocab
  3. Organized binders with all of week 1's handouts and your student work
  4. Read the "Connecting Content Questions" handout
  5. Guide to Chicago for ESL Students Project | Fix neighborhood/town summary and restaurant reviews (due Thursday)

Course Materials

Textbook

Supplementary Resources

Changelog and Copyright Notes

Changelog

  1. 15 Jul 2013 | Started this OCW document with the results of the first lesson.
  2. 16 Jul 2013 | Updated for lesson 2.
  3. 17 Jul 2013 | Updated for lesson 3 and added more info to the course materials.

Copyright

Most of the learnig objectives from the lesson plans are courtesy of the College of Chicago.