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Here you will find information on the most common proficiency tests sought by students worldwide: the TOEFL tests. There is also a section on Brazilian universities’ proficiency tests. If you need preparation for another test (e.g. IELTS, Michigan, Cambridge certificates), please contact me.

TOEFL

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) was developed in the 1960s and is the most accepted test of English proficiency worldwide. Its main goal is straightforward: “to assess the English proficiency of second language speakers of English who intend to study in institutions where English is the language of instruction” (TOEFL® Research Insight Series, Volume 6: TOEFL Program History, p.4).

The most important test of the TOEFL family of assessments is the TOEFL iBT (Internet-based test), which covers all aspects of the language. The TOEFL ITP (Institutional Testing Program) is a simpler and less demanding version of the main test and is used by universities and institutions as a placement test. Before preparing for any exam, you need to know which are the requirements of the institution you are applying for. Overall, these are some of the different aspects of each test:

Preparation

To prepare for any exam, I first will assess your current knowledge of the language. Then I will compare what you already know to what you need to know to pass the test. If you know little English and need to get a score of 80 at the TOEFL iBT, this means you need to study hard. The initial assessment is vital to decide the strategy of study, how much time you will need to reach your goal, and which skills or areas will demand more effort. You can start by taking my placement test (it is free).

Having said that, the following table provides estimates of hours that you might need to prepare for each of the TOEFL tests. These rough estimates are based on my experience all over the years preparing students for these exams.

In the table above, I considered a 4h-period of studies per week (this is generally 2h with the teacher and 2h of homework/study). One important observation about those time estimations: if you have severe problems with speaking or listening, for example, this will probably require more time. You can check the tables that compare the TOEFL scores and the CEFR levels here for the TOEFL iBT and here for the TOEFL ITP. If you have never heard about the CEFR levels, please check my General English section.

Overall, my experience tells that if you are an A2-level student, first you had better study the language in general. This way you have time to develop all the skills, especially speaking. On the other hand, if you are a B2-level student, you need to have your skills assessed carefully, so I can learn which abilities you need to develop. Plus, you’re probably applying for an institution that requires a C1-level or at least a score of 100 in the TOEFL iBT.

The following are the main topics I cover while preparing students for the TOEFL tests. Notice that for the TOEFL ITP, speaking and writing are not assessed. That is, the classes can be in Portuguese (if you are a Brazilian), and there is no need to focus on pronunciation and those two skills.

Classes

2 hours per week

Online, interactive lessons

Practice exercises and mock tests

Although preparing for the TOEFL exams in groups is not a problem (especially for the TOEFL ITP), my classes are usually tailored for your specific needs. Thus, I more often than not prepare students one-on-one. Normally, the classes are via the Zoom platform, which allows integrating materials, whiteboard resources, communication, and also recording the classes for future access and study. Due to the nature of exam preparation, you should study as many hours as possible every week, so two hours of classes are the minimum. Several practice exercises, quizzes, and mock tests are included in your classes. Depending on your needs and level, a coursebook might be adopted.

What my students say

Investment options

ONCE A WEEK

TWICE A WEEK

YOU SAVE

TOEFL iBT

R$110

an hour

TOEFL iBT

R$90

an hour

Over

18%

studying twice a week

TOEFL ITP

R$95

an hour

TOEFL ITP

R$77.5

an hour

Over

18%

studying twice a week

Check all rates and possibilities, including classes in pairs, on the Hourly Rates page.

Reduced rates to low-income students and members of minority groups are availabe. Please contact me for more information.

To see in other currencies (USD, EUR, and GBP), click here.

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PROFICIENCY

Most Brazilian universities require proficiency in English for those applying for a graduate-level course (MD, Ph.D.). The term proficiency is used in somewhat loose ways by different institutions. Some universities require a minimum proof of proficiency known as “sufficiency test“, which consists mostly of translation from L2 (English) to L1 (Portuguese in this case). L1 is your mother tongue, and L2 is the foreign language.

Others require evidence of higher proficiency, which usually combines language competence (grammar, vocabulary, comprehension) and translation of excerpts from academic texts. Rarely, some may require evidence of proficiency that includes speaking and/or listening tests.