SYLLABUS
INTRODUCTION
Terra Nova is the only specialized TOEFL preparation center in
Chişinău, Moldova. It offers only one course, TOEFL
Preparation. The course is designed for upper-intermediate and
advanced English students. The course objectives may vary
according to the needs of the students, but generally focus on
each of the TOEFL iBT areas (grammar, style, vocabulary, reading,
listening, speaking, note-taking, and writing) and test-taking
skills and strategies necessary for success on the actual TOEFL
iBT. The course is taught in small groups of 8-10 students.
Prior to enrollment, all our prospective students must pass an
English proficiency evaluation test consisting of
a short written grammar and vocabulary exercise and an oral
interview. If the level of a prospective student is lower than
that required for taking the course, the student is given
recommendations on how to improve the general level of his/her
English or a particular language skill.
Please consider the fact that the enrollment in our school is
very competitive and you may wish to apply and to take the evaluation test
at least several months in advance. All our students
are enrolled on a FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED basis, taking into
account the level of their proficiency in English (determined by the
English proficiency evaluation test) as well as such
important admission criteria as academic and personal
achievements, duties and responsibilities, interpersonal skills,
extracurricular activities, travel experiences, and interests,
among others. Please note that no single factor, attribute, or
characteristic is used to determine admission. The testing of
our new students is carried out every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2
p.m. Our prospective students can also take the evaluation test
by appointment. There is no testing when official public holidays
are observed in the Republic of Moldova and in the United
States.
Our evaluation test and our recommendations are FREE OF CHARGE.
Use this unique opportunity to evaluate your English and to learn
about ways to improve it.
OBJECTIVES
Our TOEFL Preparation course will help you achieve your target
score on the TOEFL iBT by providing comprehensive test
preparation assistance. What makes this course unique is that the
study program is tailored to the needs of Moldovan students. The
course is tought by a certified TOEFL instructor with English as
a Second Language training, significant American experience, and
many years of classroom work with bilingual students. The TOEFL
instructor will answer your questions, suggest test-taking
strategies, and provide you with guidance throughout the entire
TOEFL iBT preparation process. The course is designed to help the
students understand academic English better, perfect their
grammar- and style-related accuracy, enrich their TOEFL iBT
vocabulary, polish up their listening and speaking skills,
improve their reading speed and comprehension, develop their
TOEFL iBT essay writing skills, learn test-taking skills and
strategies, and increase their knowledge of the United States.
The students can suggest alterations to the curriculum approved
by Terra Nova and evaluate the process of teaching through the
midterm and final evaluations of the course.
DURATION
The duration of our TOEFL Preparation course is 3.5 months (15 weeks),
which is an optimal period of time for thorough TOEFL iBT preparation.
However, as our academic year is divided into 2 sessions,
some of our students choose to take both
semesters since the teaching
materials used in the fall semester are different from those used
in the spring semester. While our course textbooks in the fall
semester are based on Cambridge TOEFL iBT preparation materials,
the books and handouts used in the spring semester are based
entirely on Barron's TOEFL iBT preparation materials.
2011/2012 ACADEMIC YEAR:
FALL SEMESTER: September 12, 2011 - December 25, 2011 (3.5 months
/ 15 weeks / 90 hours)
SPRING SEMESTER: January 23, 2012 - May 6, 2012 (3.5 months / 15
weeks / 90 hours)
SCHEDULE
Our TOEFL Preparation course is taught either 3 times per week -
on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays - or 2 times per week - on
Tuesdays and Thursdays or Saturdays and Sundays. The duration of the lesson is either 2
hours (if there are 3 meetings per week) and 3 hours (if there
are 2 meetings per week). The break is optional.
We taught 6 sections (groups) in the fall semester (TOEFL 2
meeting from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on M.W.F.; TOEFL 3 meeting
from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on M.W.F.; TOEFL 5 meeting from 3:00
p.m. to 6:15 p.m. on Tu.Th.; TOEFL 6 meeting from 6:30 p.m. to
9:45 p.m. on Tu.Th.; TOEFL 7 meeting from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
on Sat.Sun.; and TOEFL 8 meeting from 12:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. on
Sat.Sun.). The fall semester started on September 12, 2011 (for
TOEFL 2 and 3), September 13, 2011 (for TOEFL 5 and 6), and
September 17, 2011 (for TOEFL 7 and 8). It ended on December
22, 2011 (for TOEFL 5 and 6), December 23, 2011 (for TOEFL 2 and
3), and December 25, 2011 (for TOEFL 7 and 8).
We are offering 8 sections (groups) in the spring semester (TOEFL
1 meeting from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on M.W.F.; TOEFL 2 meeting
from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on M.W.F.; TOEFL 3 meeting from 7:00
p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on M.W.F.; TOEFL 4 meeting from 9:00 a.m. to
12:15 p.m. on Tu.Th.; TOEFL 5 meeting from 3:00 p.m. to 6:15 p.m.
on Tu.Th.; TOEFL 6 meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. on Tu.Th.;
TOEFL 7 meeting from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Sat.Sun.; and
TOEFL 8 meeting from 12:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. on Sat.Sun.). The
spring semester will start on January 23, 2012 (for TOEFL 1, 2,
and 3), January 24, 2012 (for TOEFL 4, 5, and 6), and January 28,
2012 (for TOEFL 7 and 8). It will end on May 3, 2012 (for TOEFL
4, 5, and 6), May 4, 2012 (for TOEFL 1, 2, and 3), and May 6,
2012 (for TOEFL 7 and 8). We do our best to provide fixed section
times, and we make every effort to keep all offered section times
open, but since we cannot predict how students will enroll in
sections, we sometimes have to open sections due to high
enrollment or close class section times due to low enrollment. To
prepare yourself against the latter possibility, we suggest that
you keep in mind several section times in case a section that you
would like to enroll in closes.
PREREQUISITE
Enrollment in our TOEFL Preparation course is limited to students
who already have a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 65 or an equivalent
level of academic English (upper-intermediate to advanced). Prior
to enrollment, all our prospective students must pass an
evaluation test consisting of a short written grammar exercise
and an oral interview, which is offered free of charge and
obligation. Exceptions to this policy are at the discretion of
the TOEFL instructor.
EVALUATION METHODS
Home assignments, cumulative review exercises, and sample TOEFL
iBT questions will be the sources of regular course progress
evaluation. The TOEFL instructor carries out the testing of all
new students at the beginning of the course, gives the final test
at the end of the term, and administers 3 TOEFL iBT simulations
during the last two months of the semester to evaluate the
overall progress of the students.
COURSE MATERIALS
In the fall semester, the course textbooks are (1) TOEFL iBT
(based on Cambridge TOEFL iBT preparation materials and materials
developed by the TOEFL instructor) and (2) Grammar, Style, and
Vocabulary Review (written by the TOEFL instructor).
In the spring semester, the course textbooks are (1) TOEFL iBT
(based on Barron's TOEFL iBT preparation materials and materials
developed by the TOEFL instructor) and (2) Grammar, Style, and
Vocabulary Review (written by the TOEFL instructor).
The following books, among others, have been used by the TOEFL
instructor to prepare the books and handouts for the
students.
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TITLE: Barron's TOEFL iBT
Superpack (two books, TOEFL iBT and Essential Words for the
TOEFL, with a CD-ROM and a set of 10 audio CDs) AUTHORS: Pamela J. Sharpe, Stephen J. Matthiesen, Charles Stansfield PUBLISHER: Barron's Educational Series; 13th edition (March 1, 2010) CONTENTS: Written by the experienced ESL professor and author Pamela Sharpe, Ph.D., this manual includes seven full-length model TOEFL iBT tests with explanations or examples for all questions, including sample essays and speaking responses. Test-takers also get a general orientation to the TOEFL iBT, a review of required academic skills, and a language skills review that covers listening, speaking, reading, and writing in academic English. The CD-ROM has computerized versions of all seven full-length TOEFL model tests included in the manual plus an extra brand-new TOEFL model test. All eight model tests simulate actual test conditions, provide automatic scoring, and allow you to record and play back your responses to prompts in the speaking section. The audio CDs present audio prompts for all Listening, Speaking, and Writing sections of all TOEFL model tests and additional quizzes and activities throughout the TOEFL manual. Barron's Essential Words for the TOEFL (4th Edition) is a great English language vocabulary builder by Stephen J. Matthiesen and Charles Stansfield. It represents the level of word knowledge that students must attain in order to excel on the TOEFL. 1,152 pages. |
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TITLE: Barron's Writing
for the TOEFL iBT AUTHOR: Lin Lougheed PUBLISHER: Barron's Educational Series; 3rd edition (September 12, 2008) CONTENTS: Updated to reflect the most recent TOEFL iBT test, this manual prepares students to succeed on the TOEFL's Independent Task, the all-important essay question, and on the Integrated Task, which combines reading, listening, and writing skills. The author presents a simple three-step program to help students write like a native speaker of English. His coaching entails getting ideas, organizing details, and developing the topic into clear, grammatical written English. He also provides exercises in proofreading and editing to transform the writing for both tasks into a finished piece. More than 160 model essays and model integrated tasks are included for students to read and analyze. Lectures typical of those presented on actual tests are contained on an audio CD enclosed with the book. 384 pages. |
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TITLE: Cambridge
Preparation for the TOEFL Test - Fourth Edition (Book and
CD-ROM) AUTHORS: Jolene Gear and Robert Gear PUBLISHER: Cambridge University Press; 4th edition (September 11, 2006) CONTENTS: This new edition is designed to prepare students for the TOEFL iBT. Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test, Fourth Edition helps students master the language skills they need to succeed on the TOEFL iBT and communicate effectively in an academic setting. Using an integrated skills approach that mirrors the structure of the actual TOEFL iBT, this fully revised text is ideal for classroom use and self-study. The book contains over 200 skill-building exercises covering all of the question types in the exam and four complete practice tests. A supporting skills section is provided to improve grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation and study skills. The CD-ROM presents the book tests and three additional practice tests in an electronic format that simulates the real TOEFL iBT. 661 pages. |
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TITLE: Longman
Preparation Course for the TOEFL Test: iBT Student Book with
CD-ROM and Answer Key (2nd Edition) (Longman Preparation Course
for the TOEFL iBT) AUTHOR: Deborah Phillips PUBLISHER: Pearson ESL; 2nd edition (June 10, 2007) CONTENTS: This book and CD-ROM package gives students all the tools they need to succeed on the TOEFL iBT. Providing both a comprehensive language skills course and a wealth of practice for all sections of the test, it is appropriate for courses in TOEFL preparation or as a supplement to more general English courses. The Student Book features authentic material for all the types of passages and questions on the TOEFL iBT, diagnostic tests that allow students to identify strengths and weaknesses and assess improvement in each section, practice sections for reading, listening, speaking and writing skills, eight mini-tests that preview the test's integrated four-skill format, two complete practice tests that familiarize students with the actual test format and timing. The CD-ROM features completely different material from the Student Book, practice sections for all parts of the test, eight mini-tests and two complete tests, pop-up explanations for all items on the CD-ROM, easy-to-use scoring and record-keeping to monitor progress. 672 pages. |
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TITLE: The Official Guide
to the TOEFL iBT with CD-ROM, Third Edition AUTHOR: ETS, based in Princeton, New Jersey, is a private, nonprofit organization devoted to educational measurement and research, primarily through testing. ETS develops and administers millions of achievement tests each year in the United States and 180 other countries. These include the TOEFL, GRE, Praxis, and other standardized tests. PUBLISHER: McGraw-Hill; 3rd edition (June 16, 2009) CONTENTS: The Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT is the leading guide to the most widely accepted English-language proficiency test in the world - the TOEFL test. Written by ETS, the makers of the test, this book includes two real full-length TOEFL tests for practice, as well as explanations of every section of the test and information on what is expected of you for every speaking and writing task. You will learn how to construct your answers and integrate the four skills needed to demonstrate academic English-language proficiency: reading, listening, speaking and writing. The accompanying CD-ROM provides on-screen interactive versions of both real TOEFL tests in the book, just like the one you will encounter on test day. 374 pages. |
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TITLE: Delta's Key to the
Next Generation TOEFL Test: Advanced Skill Practice for the iBT
(Delta's Key to the Next Generation TOEFL Test) AUTHOR: Nancy Gallagher PUBLISHER: Delta Publishing Company (March 1, 2007) CONTENTS: Delta's Key to the Next Generation TOEFL Test is an all-new program designed specifically for the new version of the test. The course provides ample practice in the English skills evaluated by the new test, along with useful strategies and practical ideas for individual, pair and group activities. Reading and listening content includes explanation of new item types, such as questions about pragmatics, paraphrasing, and summarizing information from across a text. Speaking and writing content includes practice in integrated-skills tasks, such as developing a topic, taking notes, and connecting information from two sources. The book contains 36 skill units in reading, listening, speaking, and writing; 4 full-length practice tests, over 1,200 questions in the format of the next generation test, answer keys and audio scripts. 704 pages. |
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TITLE: Essential Grammar
for the iBT: Delta's Key to the Next Generation TOEFL Test AUTHOR: Nancy Gallagher PUBLISHER: Delta Publishing Company; 1st edition (July 10, 2009) CONTENTS: Although the TOEFL iBT does not have a discrete grammar section, knowledge of English sentence structure is important throughout the test. Essential Grammar for the iBT reviews the skills that are fundamental to success on tests. Content includes noun and verb forms, clauses, agreement, parallel structure, punctuation, and much more. The book may be used in conjunction with the other texts in the Delta's Key to the Next Generation TOEFL Test series or as a standalone grammar text for intermediate and advanced students. 308 pages. |
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TITLE: Cracking the TOEFL
iBT with Audio CD, 2011 Edition AUTHOR: Princeton Review PUBLISHER: Princeton Review; 2011 edition (May 11, 2010) CONTENTS: Cracking the TOEFL iBT with Audio CD (2011 Edition) provides the most comprehensive information available about how to succeed on the TOEFL iBT, complete with an audio CD and a full transcript, a full-length practice test, and scores of drill questions. In Cracking the TOEFL iBT, The Princeton Review will teach you preparation strategies and test-taking techniques to raise your score, how to focus your reading and listening to identify the key parts of passages, lectures, and conversations, improve your command of spoken English and your use of good English grammar and vocabulary, write top-scoring essays by responding to the specific question asked and organizing your ideas clearly, test your knowledge with review questions and practice drills for each topic covered. All of our practice test questions are just like those on the actual exam. The book contains more than 175 practice questions and 1 full-length simulated TOEFL iBT exam with audio sections on an MP3 CD. 560 pages. |
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TITLE: KAPLAN TOEFL iBT
with CD-ROM AUTHOR: Kaplan Publishing PUBLISHER: Kaplan Publishing; 4th edition (August 4, 2009) CONTENTS: Kaplan's TOEFL iBT with CD-ROM provides you with a targeted review of the integrated English language skills and strategies you need to succeed on this demanding test. Kaplan's comprehensive guide includes intensive practice for each section of the TOEFL test (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing), review of each question type, important information about the TOEFL iBT format, exclusive score-raising tips and strategies. Special CD-ROM features include 4 full-length practice tests, detailed answer explanations, and tutorials on the TOEFL iBT format. 416 pages. |
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TITLE: How to Prepare for
the Writing Tasks of the Next Generation TOEFL - A Complete
Course with 187 Sample Essays AUTHOR: ToeflEssays.com PUBLISHER: Lulu Press (September 30, 2004) CONTENTS: This book contains detailed explanations on how to prepare for the knowledge and experience based writing task (i.e. the independent writing task), as well as 185 sample essays written on all the ETS official essay topics. This book will also walk you through procedures on how to write the reading and listening based essay, which is the new addition to the TOEFL test. The book will take you through steps on how to organize your ideas, form an outline and develop organization, write the introduction, body and conclusion paragraphs, and finally how to proofread your essay. Most of the principles apply to both parts of the writing tests. 152 pages. |
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TITLE: TOEFL iBT
Vocabulary AUTHOR: LearningExpress Editors PUBLISHER: LearningExpress (December 25, 2007) CONTENTS: This book will help non-native speakers build or renew vital vocabulary skills. Featuring targeted practice, a verbal skills review, commonly tested words, and test-preperation tips, this book will help test-takers score high on the TOEFL iBT and qualify for admission to colleges and universities in the United States, successfully express themselves in school, at work, and in their everyday life, and sharpen their writing and communication skills. 272 pages. |
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TITLE: Advanced Grammar
in Use AUTHOR: Martin Hewings PUBLISHER: Cambridge University Press (April 1, 1999) CONTENTS: Advanced Grammar in Use contains 120 units of grammar explanation and practice exercises. It provides coverage of those language areas advanced-level students will find most rewarding to study. It retains the clarity of presentation of other books in the "in Use" family. Two-page units present grammar explanation and examples, including typical student mistakes, on left-hand pages, and useful and varied practice on right-hand pages. Extra practice exercises at the back provide further challenging and contrastive practice of grammar points from different units. A study guide helps students find those areas most appropriate for their study. Grammar areas are cross-referenced throughout. There are useful appendices dealing with verb forms, and a glossary and all answers are given at the back. 350 pages. |
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TITLE: English Vocabulary
in Use: Advanced AUTHOR: Michael McCarthy, Felicity O'Dell PUBLISHER: Cambridge University Press (June 20, 2002) CONTENTS: The perfect choice for advanced-level students wanting to build their vocabulary skills. English Vocabulary in Use: Advanced includes over 2,000 new words and expressions in 100 units which are presented and practiced in typical contexts appropriate to this level. The book is informed by the Cambridge International Corpus to ensure that the vocabulary selected is useful and up-to-date. It is ideal for self study or classroom use. 318 pages. |
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TITLE: Oxford Advanced
Learner's Dictionary AUTHOR: Oxford University Press PUBLISHER: Oxford University Press; 6th edition (September 1, 2002) CONTENTS: The world's leading dictionary that teaches upper-intermediate and advanced students how to use English. Key features: 80,000 references, 10,500 idioms and phrasal verbs, 90,000 examples of language in use, 1,700 words illustrated, and 4,200 synonyms and antonyms. Based on the 100-million word British National Corpus and Oxford's own language research programme. Definitions are written using a carefully chosen defining vocabulary of 3,000 words. The explanations are easier to understand without being simplistic, making the dictionary more accessible to a broader community of learners. Up-to-date coverage of both British and American English, written and spoken. Common spoken expressions included. 1,428 pages. |
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TITLE: Cambridge Advanced
Learner's Dictionary with CD-ROM AUTHOR: Cambridge University Press PUBLISHER: Cambridge University Press; 3rd edition (September 8, 2008) CONTENTS: This brand new edition of the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary is now more user-friendly than ever. The clear definitions and prominent guidewords help you to find the meaning that you want quickly and easily, and even more pictures and illustrations help highlight variations in meaning that are essential for the advanced student's progression. This new edition has a number of new features. EXTRA HELP section includes maps, full-page illustrations and photos, and the innovative LET'S TALK section which focuses specifically on spoken English. WORD PARTNER boxes show you how to use words in the most natural and fluent way. Even more learner error notes taken from the Cambridge Learner Corpus help you avoid common mistakes. Thesaurus panels provide alternatives to over-used words, helping you widen your vocabulary and help make your English sound more natural. The CD-ROM contains the whole dictionary, with thousands of example sentences; recordings of every word in British and American English; extra collocation information; the unique SMART thesaurus and QUICKfind, a mini pop-up dictionary. Interactive exercises include real past papers from IELTS, FCE, CAE, CPE, and BEC. 1,810 pages. |
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TITLE: Longman Dictionary
of Contemporary English on CD-ROM AUTHOR: Oxford University Press PUBLISHER: Pearson ESL; CD-ROM edition (March 18, 2003) CONTENTS: For advanced learners of English. This new CD-ROM is an ultimate source for ESL students and instructors, covering over 106,000 words and phrases based on a million extra real sentences from books and newspapers. Every headword is pronounced by native speakers in British or American English. The dictionary includes over 6,000 cultural references, interactive exercises, exam practice, the complete Longman Language Activator - the world's first writing dictionary, and much, much more. This dictionary is not only a valuable source of information on contemporary English, but also a unique educational resource. The CD-ROM features 155,000 natural examples that bring English to life, 1 million additional sentences from books and magazines, top 3,000 words in spoken and written English, 106,000 words and phrases - all the words you need, 220,000 word combinations that show which words are used together, Longman Language Activator that provides essay writing techniques, Collocation and Word Focus boxes, Interactive exercises and exam practice. |
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TITLE: Merriam-Webster's
Advanced Learner's English Dictionary AUTHOR: Merriam-Webster PUBLISHER: Merriam-Webster; illustrated edition (January 1, 2008) CONTENTS: This is the first foray for any dictionary publisher in the U.S. into territory already covered by most of the major dictionary publishers. The new Merriam-Webster ESL dictionary is similar in format to the Oxford ESL Dictionary (2004), with black-and-blue print - definitions in black, examples in blue. Designed to help advance students master spoken and written English as it is actually used, this groundbreaking new dictionary provides in-depth and up-to-date coverage of basic English vocabulary, grammar, and usage. The Merriam-Webster database of more than 100 million words was used to select words for inclusion, as were Internet sources, particularly the Lexis-Nexis database. Outstanding features include nearly 100,000 words and phrases, more than 160,000 usage examples, more than 22,000 idioms, verbal collocations, and commonly used phrases, and more than 1,000 original drawings - including 16 pages of full color art. Abundant supplemental information includes 25 pages of grammar, spelling rules, words that are often confused, prefixes and suffixes, word roots, and a handbook of style. 2,032 pages. |
EQUIPMENT
The students can use FREE OF CHARGE the equipment and the
educational materials of Terra Nova, including books and
periodicals, video and audio materials, TOEFL-related computer
programs, etc. To use the aforementioned materials, each student
must inform the TOEFL instructor and sign the lending
register.
CONSULTATIONS
The students have the right to out-of-class consultations with
the TOEFL instructor. The counseling is provided FREE OF CHARGE
upon registration at least 1 day prior to the meeting. The day
assigned for counseling sessions is Saturday (from 10 a.m. to 2
p.m.).
COURSE CERTIFICATE
Upon passing 3 TOEFL iBT simulations during the last two months
of the course successfully (with a total TOEFL iBT score
exceeding 100), Terra Nova issues a document certifying the
completion of the TOEFL Preparation course by the student. The
certificate is signed by the director of the center and bears the
official stamp, contact information, and the logo of Terra
Nova.
FEES AND COSTS
The tuition fee for the TOEFL Preparation course taught in the
spring semester of the 2011/2012 academic year is set at €220,
which is THE LOWEST TUITION FEE for TOEFL preparation in
Chişinău. The fee is to be paid ENTIRELY DURING THE
FIRST TWO WEEKS OF THE SEMESTER. The fee INCLUDES the cost of
provided handouts and other supporting materials, the cost of
TOEFL essay checking (Terra Nova is the only place in
Chişinău where students' essays are regularly checked;
students can bring for checking as many essays as they want), the
cost of out-of-class counseling sessions with the instructor, the
cost of movie sessions (organized on Saturdays), and the cost of
2 textbooks (€20). There is no application fee for the TOEFL
Preparation course. Our school offers several types of discounts.
The students who have previously studied at Terra Nova have a
discount of 10%. If more members of the same family study at the
school, everyone has a discount of 5%. Groups of more than 5
people are offered a discount of 5% for each member. Groups of
more than 10 people are offered a discount of 10% for each
member. The total discount sum for each person cannot exceed
15%.
PRIVACY ISSUES
Every effort will be made to protect your privacy and the
security of any documents (e.g., TOEFL iBT essays or application
documents) reviewed as part of this instruction.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Would you like to learn more? Send your questions to the TOEFL
instructor at the e-mail address of Terra Nova (terranovamd@yahoo.com) or call the TOEFL instructor
at 499 530, 878 045, or 079 581 561.