Best University Opportunity Program, Summer 2014

TOEFL-iBT Reading Syllabus

Instructor:

Batkhuyag Batsaikhan

Tel: 99625004 (text message only)                         

Email: batkhuyag.batsaikhan@yahoo.com

Office Hours: Will be declared

Course Description:

Academic Reading Skills

The Reading section measures the test taker’s ability to understand university-level academic texts and passages. In many academic settings around the world, students are expected to read and understand information from textbooks and other academic materials written in English. The following are three purposes for academic reading:

Reading to find information

● effectively scanning text for key facts and important information

● increasing reading fluency and rate

Basic comprehension

● understanding the general topic or main idea, major points, important facts and details, vocabulary in context, and pronoun references1

● making inferences about what is implied in a passage

Reading to learn

● recognizing the organization and purpose of a passage

● understanding relationships between ideas

● organizing information into a category chart or a summary in order to recall major points and important details

● inferring how ideas throughout the passage connect

Course Objectives:

The primary objective is to have skills for TOEFL-iBT Reading test. We focus on academic skills, time management, and inter-personal communication skills. Small and large group discussions are a part of classroom learning. All students are expected to participate in them. Our class moves very quickly and covers a lot of material. Therefore, it is important not only that students keep pace with the course, ask questions and seek additional help when needed. I am willing to meet with students after class with requested appointments on office hours.

Course Materials and Readings:

Mastering skills for the TOEFL iBT

The Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT

McGraw-Hill’s 400 must have words for the TOEFL

Other Materials:
Assortment of power point presentations, videos, and handouts.

Here are some media outlets on TOEFL-reading

1) http://www.ets.org/toefl

2) http://www.toeflgoanywhere.org/content/toefl%C2%AE-test-prep-official-tools-help-you-prepare

Course Policies and Expectations:

Course policies are the rules and guidelines our class follows. These policies are consistently enforces throughout the course and are reviewed at the beginning of each week. Each student is expected to know, understand and follow these policies. If you feel class policies need clarification, speak with me directly.

1. Prompt daily attendance is expected. All students must be seated in the classroom and prepared to learn when the time class started. Additionally, if a student is aware of up-coming absences, it is her/his responsibility to inform teacher before the absences and arrange make-up or alternative work. A friend in class is helpful to collect materials and information if you are absent.

2. All readings and videos assignments indicated in the syllabus must be completed on the scheduled due date.

3. You are a member of a community of learners. For any community to thrive, certain concepts must be embraced.

4. All students must attend class everyday and ready to actively participate daily activities.

5. No distracting items are allowed in the classroom (i.e. headwear, chains, purses, electronic devices, phones, dogs, boyfriends/girlfriends!!)

6. Appropriate language will be used in the classroom – no swearing or other offensive remarks will be allowed.

7. You are responsible for your academic progress and communication with me about problems or struggles is expected from you.

Schedule

Read THREE articles online. (The article link will be posted on website[website link will be posted on Facebook group{Facebook group will be created}])

Memorize approximately 10 words from the book daily. (Intense)

Day 1

. Introduction to TOEFL-iBT Reading Section

Factual and Negative Factual Question
Read 2 passages
Discuss on structure
New vocabulary
HW: Work on 4 passages from Official Guide to TOEFL iBT

Day2

. Inference Question

Review

Read 2 passages
Discuss on structure

5’
Rhetorical Purpose Question
Read 2 passages
Discuss on structure
New vocabulary
HW: Work on 4 passages from Official Guide to TOEFL iBT

Day3

Vocabulary Question
Review

Read 2 passages
Discuss on structure

5’
Pronoun Reference Question
Read 2 passages
Discuss on structure
New vocabulary
HW: Work on 4 passages from Official Guide to TOEFL iBT

Day 4

Sentence Simplication Question
Review

Read 2 passages
Discuss on structure

5’
Text Insertion Question
Read 2 passages

Discuss on structure
New vocabulary
HW: Work on 4 passages from Official Guide to TOEFL iBT

Day 5

Table and Chart Question
Review

Read 2 passages
Discuss on structure

5’
Prose Question
Read 2 passages
Discuss on structure
New vocabulary
HW: Work on 4 passages from Official Guide to TOEFL iBT

WORK HARD! & GOOD LUCK!