Congratulations! Your dream of studying English in New York has come true.
But what are the next steps? If you're aiming to attend a university in the United States, you might need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
The TOEFL assesses how well-prepared you are to thrive in an English-language university program. As you immerse yourself in studying English in New York, imagine your daily life: attending classes, studying in the library, socializing with friends, capturing your adventures, and sharing them with the world. This is the life of a student. However, transitioning from learning English to studying in English can be challenging. The TOEFL is a tool that can help ensure you'll excel, just as you did when you first began learning English.
The materials used in the TOEFL’s Reading, Listening, Integrated Speaking, and Integrated Writing sections are modeled after real academic texts used at the university level. Other TOEFL content mirrors the types of writing you might encounter around a university campus. Some listening exercises even include dialogues between professors and students or interactions with school officials. This is where your experience of studying English in New York can become your TOEFL superpower!
Engage with the staff at your English school and read every communication they send. Those emails and announcements? They reflect the kind of everyday language you might hear on the TOEFL. Did you thoroughly review the attendance policy or assessment guidelines? These documents are rich in the formal vocabulary that may appear in TOEFL dialogues. Imagine how relaxed and confident you’ll feel when a TOEFL listening exercise features a professor and student discussing attendance—just like what you’ve already experienced.
Outside of class, make the most of studying English in New York. Attend free lectures and take notes on what you hear. Public libraries, universities, and museums offer free or low-cost lectures open to everyone. As you prepare for the TOEFL, you can learn from world-class experts while broadening your knowledge.
New York City is home to numerous universities, each waiting to be explored. Stroll around Washington Square, and take note of the flyers and signs posted outside buildings. Even in a digital age, you can still find postings for roommates and part-time jobs in cafes. The language on those flyers is similar to what you might encounter on the TOEFL.
While you’re in a cafe, pick up one of the free newspapers. These papers are excellent sources of local news and formal vocabulary, both of which frequently appear on the TOEFL. When you sit down to take the TOEFL, you won’t know if the listening and reading sections will focus on biology, economics, or technology. You might get a text about computer viruses or flu viruses. If you’re regularly reading science and business news, following a lecture or reading passage on the TOEFL will be much easier.
Free newspapers are not just for TOEFL reading and writing practice; they’re also a cost-effective way to build your speaking vocabulary. Can you discuss what you’re reading? If you’re studying English, try out your academic vocabulary with your teachers. Summarize articles and ask for feedback. Remember, your teachers are there to support you in your goal of mastering English and becoming a TOEFL star.
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