TOEFL 1 Winter 2017 Syllabus

Your instructor: Jordan Van Horn

Email: jav2164@tc.columbia.edu
Google Voice Number: (929) 269- 4375
Website (where you can access our class blog): www.jordanvanhorn.weebly.com
Our specific course site: www.toefl12017.weebly.com

Course Description:
This course will introduce students to various parts of the TOEFL test and prepare them to be successful test-takers.
With an emphasis on the listening and speaking parts of the test, students will learn the important skills, strategies,
and core English knowledge that will enable them to meet their score goals on this exam.

Course Objectives:
After this course, you will be able to:
-Understand the overview and parts of the TOEFL Test
-Recognize specific types of test questions
-Develop strategies to answer test questions
-Take effective notes on reading and listening passages
-Understand and practice responding to speaking and writing tasks
-Monitor and use time effectively in all sections of the TOEFL
-Improve important TOEFL and English skills
-Increase relevant vocabulary related to the TOEFL test

Course Policies:
1.
Do your homework, come to class on time, and be prepared. Lateness (in coming to class or in handing in homework) will be deducted from
your participation grade.
2.
Participate in class activities. It is very important to participate if you want to improve your English!
3.
Please silence all cell phones. They are distracting to your classmates and your teacher.
4.
If you are absent, contact your classmates to find out what you missed. If you know that you will be absent in advance, ask your teacher
what you miss so that you dont fall behind.

Assessment:
Class Participation: 50%
Homework: 20%
Quizzes: 30%

Our approximate schedule:

Week

1
JAN 18th and JAN
20th

2
JAN 25th and JAN
27th

3
FEB 1st and FEB
3rd

4
FEB 8th and FEB
10th

5
FEB 15th and
FEB 17th

6
FEB 22nd and Feb
24th

WEDNESDAY

FRIDAY

Introductions

Overview

of Syllabus
Overview of Test
Needs Analysis

WEDNESDAY

Listening: Understanding the details

(listening for details)

Listening: Understanding the gist (choosing a gist statement, coming up with gist
statements)
Writing: Noting the main points as you write (targeting written fluency, taking notes on
reading passages)

FRIDAY
Vocab Quiz 1

Speaking: Plan the free-choice response (speaking individually, selecting ideas for a
logical plan)

WEDNESDAY
Speaking: Make the free-choice response

FRIDAY
Vocab Quiz 2

(speaking individually, noting features of a

good response)

WEDNESDAY

FRIDAY
Vocab Quiz 3

nderstand the function of a

U
listening passage (understanding functions of
statements, determining functions in passages)
Listening:

WEDNESDAY

Speaking: M
ake the paired-choice response
(fluency lines, noting features of a good
response)

WEDNESDAY

Listening: Understanding the speakers

stance (guessing the speakers stance,
determining the speakers stance)

Writing: Plan before you write (understanding doubt and support, recognizing doubt and
support in news stories)

Speaking: Plan the paired-choice response (speaking individually, selecting ideas for a
logical plan)

FRIDAY
Vocab Quiz 4

Reading: Simplify the meaning of sentences (dividing sentences into meaningful parts,
understanding the meaningful parts of sentences)

FRIDAY
Vocab Quiz 5

Speaking: Noting the main points as you read (fluency lines, taking notes on reading
passages)

7
MAR 1st and Mar
3rd

8
MAR 8th and
MAR 10th

9
MAR 15th and
MAR 17th

10
MAR 22nd

WEDNESDAY

Writing: Plan before you write, topic

sentences and supporting paragraphs

WEDNESDAY

nderstanding the organization

U
(understanding listening organization questions,
creating listening organization questions)
Listening:

WEDNESDAY

Listening: Understand relationships

(drawing conclusions from multiple statements,
drawing conclusions from passages)

WEDNESDAY

TBD

Wrap-up,

celebration

FRIDAY
Vocab Quiz 6

Speaking: Note the main points as you listen (fluency lines, taking notes on listening
passages)

FRIDAY
Vocab Quiz 7

Speaking:

Plan before you speak (targeting spoken fluency, synthesizing ideas)

FRIDAY
Vocab Quiz 8

Speaking: Make the response (targeting spoken grammar, noting features of a good
response)