TOEFL Speaking and Writing Sections Skills Mastery from Coursera

This course prepares non-native speakers of English to take the speaking and writing sections of the TOEFL iBT exam. This course explains the difference between the integrated tasks and independent tasks in the speaking and writing sections of the iBT and provides effective strategies for tackling each task. For each type of prompt, you will learn how to best plan your responses, which is a key step to providing well-formed and organized answers.

This course also teaches how to best practice and prepare for test day as well as how to manage your time and perform optimally during the exam. With plenty of practice, you will know exactly what to expect when you take the actual test, reducing anxiety and boosting your confidence. Join this course and give yourself the best chance to reach your target scores on the speaking and writing sections of the TOEFL iBT.

What's inside

Syllabus

The iBT Independent Speaking Task

In this first week, you will become familiar with a question type that you will encounter on the real iBT speaking portion of the TOEFL test, specifically the independent speaking task." You will also practice answering some speaking sample questions with suggested templates. This will help you know what to expect when you answer speaking questions and be prepared to plan your responses.

The iBT Integrated Speaking Tasks

In this second week, you will become familiar with a question type that you will encounter on the real iBT speaking portion of the test, specifically the integrated speaking tasks. You will also practice answering some speaking sample questions with suggested templates. This will help you know what to expect when you answer to speaking questions and be prepared to plan your responses.

The iBT Integrated Writing Task

In this third week, you will become familiar with a question type that you will encounter in the real iBT writing portion of the test, specifically the Independent writing task. You will also practice answering some sample questions with suggested templates. This will help you know what to expect when you complete the writing section of the test and be prepared to plan your answers.

The iBT Independent Writing Task

In this fourth week, you will become familiar with a question type that you will encounter on the real iBT writing portion of the test, specifically the Integrated writing task. You will also practice answering some sample questions with suggested templates. This will help you know what to expect when you complete the writing section of the test and be prepared to plan your answers.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Provides effective strategies for tackling the speaking and writing sections of the TOEFL iBT exam

Teaches best practices for the TOEFL iBT exam, including time management and performance optimization

Develops skills and knowledge that are highly relevant to the TOEFL iBT exam

Taught by Helen Nam and Shiva Sutherland, who are recognized for their expertise in TOEFL preparation

Covers all the question types that students will encounter on the TOEFL iBT exam

Provides practice opportunities with suggested templates, which can help students feel more prepared for the exam

Reviews summary

Toefl mastery: speaking & writing skills

According to students, this TOEFL mastery course includes clear, organized, and engaging lectures on writing and speaking skills for the TOEFL exam. The self-paced format and helpful resources from the instructors make the course flexible and convenient. Many graduates feel more prepared and confident for their TOEFL exam after completing this comprehensive course.

Speaking practice and strategies are particularly valuable.

"This course helped me in developing speaking strategies"

"The course was pretty goog, I learned a lot about TOEFL test ans its strucutre as well as some strategis to face this important international test."

"Wow this Course was amazing ! I learned many thing for the TOEFL Preparation."

Instructors are knowledgeable and supportive.

"I want to take this opportunity to thank these wonderful instructors"

"I have learned a lot and you provided me the right pathway to grasp the english concept"

"Thank you so much."

External resources and practice materials are useful.

"It was great that this course provided material from other websites that perhaps we didn't know."

"This course has guide me to the different resourses (free and not free) availables to practice for the IBT TOEFL test."

"Since I already spent much time for TOEFL, I have not learned something new. Still, some links of outside resources are helpful even if you have already studied for the test."

Graduates feel more prepared for the TOEFL after taking this course.

"Very useful and concise course! Highly recommended for preparing the test."

"The course is very objective, clear and helpful. "

"I am very certain am am going to ace the Toefl examination.Thank you so much."

Helpful organization makes learning efficient.

"Organized and informative."

"simple and very informative I loved it! "

"This course offers a clear overview of the test requirements and the basic strategies."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in TOEFL Speaking and Writing Sections Skills Mastery with these activities:

Review Basic Grammar Concepts

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Strengthen your understanding of basic grammar concepts to improve your writing and speaking skills.

Browse courses on Grammar

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Review the grammar rules in your TOEFL textbook or online resources.
Take practice tests to identify areas where you need improvement.
Focus on improving your grammar in those areas.

Improve Your Vocabulary with Barron's TOEFL iBT

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Expand your vocabulary and improve your reading comprehension by reviewing this book.

View How to Prepare for the Michigan Test Battery on Amazon

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Read the book thoroughly.
Review the vocabulary lists.
Practice using the new vocabulary in your speaking and writing.

Create a Study Schedule

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Plan your study time effectively to maximize your preparation for the TOEFL iBT.

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Determine how much time you have available for studying.
Set realistic goals for what you want to accomplish each day.
Create a schedule that includes time for all of the different sections of the TOEFL iBT.

Four other activities

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Practice Speaking Prompts

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Practice answering speaking prompts to improve fluency and organization.

Browse courses on Speaking

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Review sample speaking prompts on the TOEFL website.
Record yourself answering the prompts.
Analyze your answers for strengths and weaknesses.

Practice Writing Essays

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Practice writing essays to improve grammar, vocabulary, and organization.

Browse courses on Writing

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Review sample essay prompts on the TOEFL website.
Write essays in response to the prompts.
Have your essays reviewed by a teacher or tutor.

Practice Listening to TOEFL Recordings

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Improve your listening comprehension by practicing with authentic TOEFL recordings.

Browse courses on Listening

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Listen to recordings from the TOEFL website or other sources.
Take notes on what you hear.
Review your notes and try to answer the questions that follow the recordings.

Practice Timed Writing

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Improve your ability to write under time pressure by practicing timed writing exercises.

Browse courses on Writing

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Set a timer for 20 minutes.
Choose a writing prompt and start writing.
When the timer goes off, stop writing and review your work.

Career center

Learners who complete TOEFL Speaking and Writing Sections Skills Mastery will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Professor

Professors need to be able to communicate effectively with students and colleagues. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Professor by teaching you how to plan and organize your thoughts, and by providing you with strategies for writing well-formed and organized answers. The course also teaches how to best manage your time and perform optimally during the exam, which can help you feel more confident and prepared for teaching and research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Professor

Technical Writer

Technical Writers need to be able to write clear, concise, and accurate technical documentation. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Technical Writer by teaching you how to plan and organize your thoughts, and by providing you with strategies for writing well-formed and organized answers. The course also teaches how to best manage your time and perform optimally during the exam, which can help you feel more confident and prepared on test day.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Editor

Editors need to be able to read and understand written material, and to identify and correct errors. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as an Editor by teaching you how to plan and organize your thoughts, and by providing you with strategies for writing well-formed and organized answers. The course also teaches how to best manage your time and perform optimally during the exam, which can help you feel more confident and prepared on test day.

See salaries and explore the career path for Editor

Teacher

Teachers need to be able to communicate effectively with students. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Teacher by teaching you how to plan and organize your thoughts, and by providing you with strategies for writing well-formed and organized answers. The course also teaches how to best manage your time and perform optimally during the exam, which can help you feel more confident and prepared on test day.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Writer

For Writers, the ability to communicate effectively and concisely is essential. This course, TOEFL Speaking and Writing Sections Skills Mastery, can help build a foundation for success by teaching you how to plan and organize your thoughts, and by providing you with strategies for writing well-formed and organized answers. The course also teaches how to best manage your time and perform optimally during the exam, which can help you feel more confident and prepared on test day.

See salaries and explore the career path for Writer

Journalist

Journalists need to be able to gather and report information accurately and effectively. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Journalist by teaching you how to plan and organize your thoughts, and by providing you with strategies for writing well-formed and organized answers. The course also teaches how to best manage your time and perform optimally during the exam, which can help you feel more confident and prepared on test day.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Librarian

Librarians need to be able to communicate effectively with patrons. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Librarian by teaching you how to plan and organize your thoughts, and by providing you with strategies for writing well-formed and organized answers. The course also teaches how to best manage your time and perform optimally during the exam, which can help you feel more confident and prepared on test day.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Speechwriter

Speechwriters need to be able to write clear, concise, and persuasive speeches. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Speechwriter by teaching you how to plan and organize your thoughts, and by providing you with strategies for writing well-formed and organized answers. The course also teaches how to best manage your time and perform optimally during the exam, which can help you feel more confident and prepared on test day.

See salaries and explore the career path for Speechwriter

Copywriter

Copywriters need to be able to write clear, concise, and persuasive copy. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Copywriter by teaching you how to plan and organize your thoughts, and by providing you with strategies for writing well-formed and organized answers. The course also teaches how to best manage your time and perform optimally during the exam, which can help you feel more confident and prepared on test day.

See salaries and explore the career path for Copywriter

Content Writer

Content Writers need to be able to write clear, concise, and engaging content. This course can help you develop the skills you need to succeed as a Content Writer by teaching you how to plan and organize your thoughts, and by providing you with strategies for writing well-formed and organized answers. The course also teaches how to best manage your time and perform optimally during the exam, which can help you feel more confident and prepared on test day.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Writer