Some sites for listening/reading practice

Check these out and let me know what you think....!

http://www.elllo.org/

http://www.manythings.org/listen/

http://www.esl-lab.com/

http://www.ted.com

If you want a wide array of academic lessons to listen to, use iTunes U:

http://www.apple.com/education/itunes-u/

Integrated Speaking and Writing Tasks

This week, we took a look at some integrated tasks on both the speaking and the writing sections of the TOEFL exam. We also confirmed that taking good notes will be an important part of both of these tasks.
You can listen again to the conversations from the Integrated Speaking task and read the scripts as well, by clicking on the link for downloads on the right side of this page.

We will be practicing the part of the test regarding Integrated writing again on Monday, but in the meantime you should download the example of the Integrated Writing task (see the link on the right side of this page), listen again to the lecture (read the script if you need to), and then write your answer to the question:

"Summarize the points made in the lecture, and explain how they challenge the points made in the reading."

Remember to summarize important points in the listening passage as related to key points in the reading passage. You must write 150 - 225 words (or more) in 20 minutes (but take MORE time this time to make sure it is perfect!).

News

Hey guys and gals - I have some news from Fabrizia Venuta, who is going to book the TOEFL exam for you. She needs you to download a form and send it to her ASAP. Please do this by going to the CLA site (click here: http://www.cla.unina.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/346 , or copy and paste the address in your browser window), downloading the form, filling in your details and sending it to fvenuta@unina.it. You can also bring it to her directly on Monday. She has the list of dates you signed up for, so this should be the last thing you need to do before you take the exam.
Oh, I mean, except for all that studying you still need to do.........
Thanks! Dianna

So far....So good!

We have been busy in the last couple of weeks, and we will be even busier in the weeks to come!

So far, we have taken a look at some ways to write effective paragraphs, ways to improve our note-taking skills, and ways to build up our vocabulary. We have also started to look at the first type of speaking question on the exam.

If you have missed one of these lessons, or do not have the handouts, all of the materials are now available through the 'download' link on the right.

I hope you are spending at LEAST an hour every day doing exercises in your textbooks, or doing online exercises....it's up to YOU to find the time!

Let me know if you need anything...by writing to me here on the blog!

p.s. Here are the answers to the last few sentences on the paraphrasing download - sample paragraphs for all of the other exercises can be found at the end of the downloaded document!

6. “I’m sorry I broke your mug” Janet said. (breaking)

Janet__said she was sorry for breaking ____ my mug.

7. They cancelled the flight because of thick fog. (off)


The flight_ ______was called off______ because of the thick fog.


8. The summit meeting will be held in Istanbul. (place)


The summit meeting___will take place__ in Istanbul.


9. Roberto took a month to design the concept car. (him)


It__took him a month__to design the concept car.


10. My father took up bowling three years ago. (been)


My father___has been bowling for____ three years.