NC 324: Preparation for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam

Citrus College Course Outline of Record

Citrus College Course Outline of Record
Heading Value
Effective Term: Fall 2023
Credits: 0
Total Contact Hours: 24
Lecture Hours : 24
Lab Hours: 0
Hours Arranged: 0
Outside of Class Hours: 48
Strongly Recommended: An intermediate to advanced level of English language communicative competency.
Transferable to CSU: No
Transferable to UC: No
Grading Method: Non-Credit Course

Catalog Course Description

A course designed to support students in their preparation for taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam and reaching their target score. Scores on this exam are the most common standard used to assess learners' English language competency and are accepted at most institutions of higher learning in the U.S. Students will acquire essential test-taking skills as well as become confidently acquainted with the manner in which their English language competency will be tested. Self-study guidance will be provided for the areas of the exam in which their knowledge is being most challenged. 24 lecture hours.

Course Objectives

  • Expand one's functional academic vocabulary, both in receptive and productive modes.
  • Improve efficiency and depth of academic reading comprehension for university-level texts of approximately 700 words in length regardless of the student's background knowledge of the specific topic being addressed.
  • Improve both basic comprehension as well as pragmatic understanding while listening to academic lectures and dialogues between academic persons, each up to 5 minutes in length.
  • Establish competent familiarity with the TOEFL testing structure.
  • Speak both independently as well as with the integration of written or oral texts about familiar topics with minimal preparation time.
  • Read a short passage, listen to a short lecture, and write in response to what you read and listened to.
  • Write an essay based on personal experience or opinion in response to a provided topic.
  • Acquire coping skills for high-pressure test-taking within time constraints.

Major Course Content

  1. TOEFL Test Overview
  2. Reading Section
    1. Tips
    2. Practice
  3. Listening Section
    1. Tips
    2. Practice
  4. Speaking Section
    1. Tips
    2. Practice
  5. Writing Section
    1. Tips
    2. Practice
  6. TOEFL Test-Taking Simulation

Suggested Reading Other Than Required Textbook

Instructor supplied materials

Examples of Required Writing Assignments

Written responses to TED Talks (self-selected, peer-selected, and instructor-selected)

Examples of Outside Assignments

Spoken responses to TED Talks (self-selected, peer-selected, and instructor- selected)

Instruction Type(s)

Lecture, Online Education Lecture