SYLLABUS / TOEFL PREPARATION IN CHISINAU, MOLDOVA

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 7-9 students.

Prior to enrollment, all our prospective students must pass an evaluation test consisting of a short grammar exercise and an 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 take the evaluation test and to register at least several months in advance. All our students are registered on a FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED basis, taking into account the level of their proficiency in English. The testing of our new students is carried out every Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 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.

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. 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. The duration of the whole course is 3.5 months (15 weeks).

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.

	TITLE: Barron's TOEFL iBT Internet-Based Test 2008 12th Edition with CD-ROM (Barron's TOEFL iBT) AUTHOR: Pamela J. Sharpe, Ph.D. (Associate Professor of English as a Foreign Language and Bilingual Education at Northern Arizona University - Yuma) PUBLISHER: Barron's Educational Series; 12th edition (July 1, 2006) CONTENTS: This edition of Barron's TOEFL manual presents seven full-length model TOEFL iBT tests with explanations or examples for all questions, including sample essays and speaking responses. The author also offers general orientation to the new TOEFL iBT, as well as a review of academic skills, which include note taking, paraphrasing, summarizing, and synthesizing. There is also a review of language skills - listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The CD-ROM presents seven on-screen TOEFL iBT exams that simulate actual test conditions and provide automatic scoring. 832 pages.

	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.

	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.

	TITLE: The Official Guide to the New TOEFL iBT with CD-ROM with Authentic TOEFL Test Sections (McGraw-Hill's TOEFL iBT) AUTHOR: ETS is America's largest private nonprofit institution devoted to measurement and research, primarily in the field of education. ETS is the creator of the TOEFL, SAT, GRE, Praxis, and other standardized exams used throughout the United States and the world. PUBLISHER: McGraw-Hill; 2nd edition (December 20, 2006) CONTENTS: This is the one and only official guide to the TOEFL iBT specially created by ETS - the people who actually make the test. In addition to hundreds of actual TOEFL iBT questions for practice, the book contains detailed explanations of what is being tested in each section and how each section is structured, plus expert tips on how to ace every speaking and writing task. You will learn how to construct a good answer and how to integrate reading, speaking, listening, and writing skills. The companion CD-ROM has a full-length TOEFL iBT practice test. 384 pages.

	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.

	TITLE: Cracking the TOEFL iBT with Audio CD, 2009 Edition AUTHOR: Princeton Review PUBLISHER: Princeton Review; 2009 edition (May 6, 2008) CONTENTS: Cracking the TOEFL iBT with Audio CD (2009 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 CD. 608 pages.

	TITLE: KAPLAN TOEFL iBT with CD-ROM 2008-2009 Edition (Kaplan's TOEFL iBT) AUTHOR: Kaplan Publishing PUBLISHER: Kaplan; 2008-2009 edition (August 7, 2007) 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 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.

	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.

	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.

	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.

	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.

	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.

	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.

	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.

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 4 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 fall semester of the 2010/2011 academic year is set at €200, 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 (€15). 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.