Hello dear readers!
Wow, this summer has been a blast! And by a blast, I mean, I slept, ate, watched, read for pleasure a lot. So much so that I completely forgot that I had other things to do! Like updating my blog.
So here I am, dear readers. I read and replied to most of the comments on this blog and emails that were sent to me. Not surprisingly, there were questions that get asked more often than others. Therefore I tried to compile a list of these frequently asked questions to make everything easier for everyone! If you don't find the answer to your question(s) here, please don't hesitate to send me an email at ananda_astrini@yahoo.com and I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can!
1. Which is harder, IELTS or TOEFL IBT?
Answer: Both are hard! Especially if you don't prepare. Uh, duh. Hahaha. The IELTS (Academic) and TOEFL IBT both attempts to assess your English proficiency in an academic context. However, they do it quite differently. Although they both have listening, reading, speaking, and writing tests, their question types are very different. So I learned for IELTS first and then I found out I had to take a TOEFL IBT test. Then I learned for that, and although some skills did transfer (e.g. skimming and scanning), the TOEFL IBT test just had a totally different format. I just had to learn other skills, like note-taking. So, no, I can't say that IELTS was easier and TOEFL IBT was harder and vice versa.
2. What are some tips to be proficient in English? How do I improve my English?
Answer: 'Proficient in English' for me is way too general. This question also makes me feel like there's one easy answer to it. But no, there's no magical answer to this. Learning languages, English or any kind of language, is a long process if you'd like to be truly proficient. I've worked at several private English language schools, and when they say you can be proficient in English in just 3 months(!!!) what they really mean is (probably) they will teach you how to speak in English, in very limited contexts. There is just no way you'll be able to be 'proficient' in a language just by taking a private course for 3 months.
Then, what should you do to be proficient in English? I'm not saying you shouldn't enrol in a language school. You should if you've got the money and time to do so. It's good, because you have someone to speak to, if your idea of being 'proficient' is strictly in terms of oral communication. Even then it would probably be in more of a day to day setting.
If money is a problem, then you can join English speaking clubs. In Makassar, they have a very active one at Fort Rotterdam. You should also ask around in the universities near you. If you can't find one, then start one! :D
As you have possibly noticed, I've been talking about output. But let's not forget input, my dear readers! And what better way to gain input than to read, read, and read. At least this is how I enjoy getting my input best. The first stage of learning English for me was just doing a lot of reading. What's that? I hear, "So you just read books in English... How did you understand every word?". First, who says that you need to understand every single word? Now there's this skill called making inferences based on the surrounding words. Believe me, you'll get really good at it. Second, have you ever heard of this magical thing called the 'dictionary'? Better yet, the 'online dictionary'? Oh, is that a groan I hear? "That's too much work!", well darling, who said learning a language was easy? Start by reading something that you'll enjoy. Then gradually move up to something a little bit more challenging.
What about listening? Well, there's Youtube and movies. I'd say start using subtitles and then gradually move on to watching without them. Again, start with videos/movies that you'd enjoy. By the way, Youtube is a great resource to listen to different English accents.
Now, the most dreaded skill, writing. This is a tricky one. Most people just overlook this particular skill until they have to face some kind of English proficiency test. (Yes, I'm looking at you). Then your pants are on fire, because, wtf, it's writing and you're going to die. Sweety, writing for an English proficiency test is easy. "Easy?!" You scream at me. Yes, easy! It's what, 250 to 300 words at most? If you've prepared and planned for it, you'll be fine. It's what comes after that, which will most likely kill you (I've been there, no joking). Imagine this, you got that scholarship, you got admitted to this awesome university. Then BAM! Papers due every week! Now, I'm not trying to scare you, I'm trying to push you to write now! ASAP! Get someone to read what you wrote. Make a blog, write in English! Just write, and read a lot.
Probably you're hating me by now. There's just so much work, isn't there? Well, to truly be proficient in English takes time.
3. Is it safe to study in the U.S.?
Answer: Is it safe to study anywhere? I mean, so far everything's been great. Mind you, I'm living in Ames, Iowa. It doesn't mean that the news doesn't scare me. It does. But if I let that get in the way of my studies, then I'd be missing out on a lot of things. I don't think there's a truly safe place out there, especially for International students. You just need to take care of yourself. And as the impostor Mad-Eye Moody says "Constant vigilance!". Don't let the news (and I'm not saying they're not true, they are) scare you into not studying in the U.S., or anywhere for that matter!
4. Difference between IELTS and TOEFL IBT?
Answer: Task types are very different. As far as I know, IELTS task types are more varied. Most obvious difference would be in the speaking test, where you get to talk to a person for IELTS, and for TOEFL IBT you get to awkwardly talk to the computer in front of you. In TOEFL IBT, note-taking is an important skill, not so much for IELTS since you don't really have time to take notes anyway.
5. Can you study for IELTS/TOEFL IBT on your own?
Answer: Yeah, why not? I studied for both on my own. Used every resource that I could find. Managed to do pretty well. Although not everyone can study on their own. So, might want to consider that. You will have to find someone to help assess your speaking and writing though.
6. Can I borrow/buy/or you give me your books?
Answer: I'm currently in the U.S. Haha. I'll need the books to teach anyway after I come home. But seriously, invest in getting practice books. If money is an issue, there are always free practice materials available online. I have some links on my articles about taking the IELTS an TOEFL IBT tests :)
7. Can you give me some study tips for the TOEFL IBT test?
Answer: I wrote an article on my TOEFL IBT study tips for AMINEF. You can find the article by opening the following link:As you have possibly noticed, I've been talking about output. But let's not forget input, my dear readers! And what better way to gain input than to read, read, and read. At least this is how I enjoy getting my input best. The first stage of learning English for me was just doing a lot of reading. What's that? I hear, "So you just read books in English... How did you understand every word?". First, who says that you need to understand every single word? Now there's this skill called making inferences based on the surrounding words. Believe me, you'll get really good at it. Second, have you ever heard of this magical thing called the 'dictionary'? Better yet, the 'online dictionary'? Oh, is that a groan I hear? "That's too much work!", well darling, who said learning a language was easy? Start by reading something that you'll enjoy. Then gradually move up to something a little bit more challenging.
What about listening? Well, there's Youtube and movies. I'd say start using subtitles and then gradually move on to watching without them. Again, start with videos/movies that you'd enjoy. By the way, Youtube is a great resource to listen to different English accents.
Now, the most dreaded skill, writing. This is a tricky one. Most people just overlook this particular skill until they have to face some kind of English proficiency test. (Yes, I'm looking at you). Then your pants are on fire, because, wtf, it's writing and you're going to die. Sweety, writing for an English proficiency test is easy. "Easy?!" You scream at me. Yes, easy! It's what, 250 to 300 words at most? If you've prepared and planned for it, you'll be fine. It's what comes after that, which will most likely kill you (I've been there, no joking). Imagine this, you got that scholarship, you got admitted to this awesome university. Then BAM! Papers due every week! Now, I'm not trying to scare you, I'm trying to push you to write now! ASAP! Get someone to read what you wrote. Make a blog, write in English! Just write, and read a lot.
Probably you're hating me by now. There's just so much work, isn't there? Well, to truly be proficient in English takes time.
3. Is it safe to study in the U.S.?
Answer: Is it safe to study anywhere? I mean, so far everything's been great. Mind you, I'm living in Ames, Iowa. It doesn't mean that the news doesn't scare me. It does. But if I let that get in the way of my studies, then I'd be missing out on a lot of things. I don't think there's a truly safe place out there, especially for International students. You just need to take care of yourself. And as the impostor Mad-Eye Moody says "Constant vigilance!". Don't let the news (and I'm not saying they're not true, they are) scare you into not studying in the U.S., or anywhere for that matter!
4. Difference between IELTS and TOEFL IBT?
Answer: Task types are very different. As far as I know, IELTS task types are more varied. Most obvious difference would be in the speaking test, where you get to talk to a person for IELTS, and for TOEFL IBT you get to awkwardly talk to the computer in front of you. In TOEFL IBT, note-taking is an important skill, not so much for IELTS since you don't really have time to take notes anyway.
5. Can you study for IELTS/TOEFL IBT on your own?
Answer: Yeah, why not? I studied for both on my own. Used every resource that I could find. Managed to do pretty well. Although not everyone can study on their own. So, might want to consider that. You will have to find someone to help assess your speaking and writing though.
6. Can I borrow/buy/or you give me your books?
Answer: I'm currently in the U.S. Haha. I'll need the books to teach anyway after I come home. But seriously, invest in getting practice books. If money is an issue, there are always free practice materials available online. I have some links on my articles about taking the IELTS an TOEFL IBT tests :)
7. Can you give me some study tips for the TOEFL IBT test?
http://www.aminef.or.id/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=149:toefl-ibt-study-tips&catid=9:news-events-cat&Itemid=105
I'll add more questions and answers as I get them. I should find a way to stick this post on the header somewhere so it can easily be accessible. I'll find out how :)
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