TOEFL Advisory

(C) 2016 Alpha & Company, Inc.Strictly Confidential 1


αTOEFL Advisory

(C) 2016 Alpha & Company, Inc.Strictly Confidential

What is TOEFL ？• Required for studying abroad in

North America, Asia’s MBA/Graduate school/University/Boarding school etc.

• Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing

• 30 x 4 = 12 ０• Need at least above 100 for top

schools


What is TOEFL ？• TOP MBA ask 110• Reading 28 → 30 • Listening 27 → 28• Speaking 25 → 27• Writing 25 → 27• Total 105 →112


General TOEFL Takers• Don’t know what to do• Not motivated as scores

don’t rise as easily• Test is 20,000 yen.

Expensive• Too much daily temptations• 「 Quit TOEFL 」


TOEFL Strategy• TOEFL has US high school

contents• Class contents ＋ school

conversations• To start from 3800 is NG ！• Going to big cram school is also

NG ！• Learn from the contents• Understanding the contents

comes first!


TOEFL Strategy• Biology, History, Astronomy,

Culture etc.• Understand US high school’s

class contents• R ＞ Speed reading ・ Structure

grasp• L ＞ Efficient memo taking• S ＞ Repeated practice• W ＞ Repeated template practice


TOEFL Strategy• Necessary to master how to

solve TOEFL• Speed reading → Question

comprehension → Check Contents → ２ DOWN with elimination method → Scrutiny of answers → Find absolutely different point→ ３ DOWN


TOEFL Strategy• Select answers that are

「 TOEFL answer-like 」• Use the process of elimination

method• Clarify why options drop• ALWAYS double check. Never

assume something.• One-word is the key at the

end


TOEFL Strategy• How to prepare for the test• Strategy on the day of the

test• How to write notes• How to use templates• Time allocation in Reading• Shortcut to learning the

know-how of TOEFL


TOEFL Strategy• Are any texts OK?• Do what in which order?• R Which articles to read

everyday?• L What to listen to

everyday?• How many times a week to

conduct S x W training?


αTOEFL Individual Advisory


General TOEFL takers• Don’t know what to do• Not motivated as scores

don’t rise as easily• Test is 20,000 yen.

Expensive• Too much daily temptations• 「 Quit TOEFL 」


TOEFL Individual Advisory• Thorough individual

advisory • Teach what needs to be

done• Manage schedule• S x W special training• Highest efficiency in

reaching 112!• First, aim for 105!!


TOEFL Individual Advisory• Learn study methods & know-

hows!• Complete progress

management• S&W Reviews (5 times x 2)

• Complete bargain!


TOEFL Individual Advisory• 200k yen for Individual

Advisory 1 year• MBA Advisory (300) ＋

TOEFL ： 500→450K yen• MBA+GMAT ＋ TOEFL で

700→600 （ Most popular, over 1000 in other institutions ）


TOEFL Individual Advisory• Exemption from admission

fee of 50,000 yen for those signing up within 2 weeks from today!

• Presentation of the forbidden 「 αTOEFL Strategy Manual 」！

• MBA ＋ GMAT applications give complete success! Most popular!


TOEFL Individual Advisory• If you sincerely wish to

score high in TOEFL, try αTOEFL Individual Advisory

• Facebook 　＞ Toshihiko Irisumi

• Questions ！



αTOEFL Seminar3-day Special

Training


WHYYou want to take TOEFL ？


IELTS ・ GRESchools

available for application

2014


IELTS Recommendatio

ns


Conversion Table

TOEFL IELTS TOEIC109 7.5 990100 7 900

88 6.5 80076 6 70068 5.5 65061 5 600

Despite the many tests around the world,there is a considerable gap between their recognition and difficulty.


Test of English for Studying Abroad

・ Admissions officers evaluate you solely on whether you are capable of taking lectures in English.

・ There are many standardized English tests such as TOEFL/ IELTS/ TOEIC/ PTE/ CPE/ CAE etc. Depending on the tests available for your target school, select a test that you can best score on and prepare strategically!

25


IELTS as an alternative to TOEFL

Relatively easier to score than TOEFL?!

1. Listening is easier2. No complex problems combining

Speaking & Listening3. Speaking in an interview format

IELTS accepted even in major graduate schoolsExcept for Wharton, Kellogg, Columbia,

NYU, most major business schools accept IELTS (As of 2012)


B-Schools available for application with IELTS （ 2014 ＵＳ）

FT Rank in 2013 School name IELTS

1 Harvard Business School 7.52 Stanford Graduate School of Business 73 University of Pennsylvania: Wharton NG 5 Columbia Business School NG (TOEFL or PTE)9 MIT: Sloan GMAT/GRE Verbal

10 University of Chicago: Booth 712 University of California at Berkeley: Haas 7 13 Northwestern University: Kellogg NG14 Yale School of Management OK16 Dartmouth College: Tuck OK18 Duke University: Fuqua OK19 New York University: Stern NG23 UCLA: Anderson 724 Cornell University: Johnson OK30 University of Michigan: Ross OK


B-Schools available for application with IELTS （ 2014 Europe ）FT Rank in 2013 School name Country IELTS

4 London Business School UK OK6 Insead France / Singapore 7.57 IESE Business School Spain 7.0

11 IE Business School Spain OK16 University of Cambridge: Judge UK 7.519 IMD Switzerland NA21 HEC Paris France OK22 Esade Business School Spain 7.524 University of Oxford: Saïd UK 7.528 Warwick Business School UK 7.029 Manchester Business School UK 6.533 Rotterdam School of Management Netherlands OK36 National University of Singapore Business

School Singapore 6.5


GRE Recommendatio

ns


B-Schools available for application with GRE （ 2014 ＵＳ）FT Rank in

2013 School name GRE1 Harvard Business School OK2 Stanford Graduate School of Business OK3 University of Pennsylvania: Wharton OK5 Columbia Business School OK9 MIT: Sloan OK

10 University of Chicago: Booth OK12 University of California at Berkeley: Haas OK13 Northwestern University: Kellogg OK14 Yale School of Management OK16 Dartmouth College: Tuck OK18 Duke University: Fuqua OK(GMAT preferred)

19 New York University: Stern OK23 UCLA: Anderson OK24 Cornell University: Johnson OK30 University of Michigan: Ross OK


B-Schools available for application with GRE （ 2014 Europe ）FT Rank in 2012 School name Country GRE

4 London Business School UK OK6 Insead France / Singapore OK7 IESE Business School Spain OK

11 IE Business School Spain OK16 University of Cambridge: Judge UK OK19 IMD Switzerland OK21 HEC Paris France OK22 Esade Business School Spain OK24 University of Oxford: Saïd UK GMAT28 Warwick Business School UK GMAT29 Manchester Business School UK OK33 Rotterdam School of Management Netherlands OK36 National University of Singapore Business

School Singapore OK


For reference,• Cornell University: Q. GRE or GMAT? “… I still anticipate that a large

majority of applicants will submit with a GMAT score. Although an increasing number of b-schools are now accepting the GRE, the GMAT is still viewed as the common denominator among applicants. With that said, this year we will be reviewing a small percentage of applicants that have chosen to take the GRE….”

http://www.johnson.cornell.edu/Full-Time-MBA/Admissions/Admissions-Blog/EntryId/139/GRE-or-GMAT-does-it-

matter.aspx

• London Business School: Q. Do you accept the GRE? if you have already taken the GRE, please contact our Admissions Team with your tests information so we can discuss your individual situation in more detail…….

http://www.london.edu/programmes/msc/faqs.html

32

http://www.johnson.cornell.edu/Full-Time-MBA/Admissions/Admissions-Blog/EntryId/139/GRE-or-GMAT-does-it-matter.aspx






TOEFL


• Measuring your English abilities

• Does your English abilities actually go up?

• Major cram schools already out-of-date!

• αMethod High scores!• Take and score 110!!

TOEFL


Day 1 ： READINGDay 2 ： LISTENINGDay 3 ： Writing/Speaking

TOEFL 3-day Training Course


• We teach basic concepts and how to solve TOEFL problems

• Then, Finish off with TOEFL Individual Advisory!



• Clarification of purpose

• Setting goals• What score, by

when?• Current status and

target score• Next test dates



• Do what by next test?• How much vocabulary to

learn?• Solve official test book how

many times?• Do what everyday?• Receive feedback/revision

when?• To put every effort!



Main PrincipleThe answer is always written

TOEFL Lecture


• The answer is always written• Questions come in order of the

text• Which options are wrong?• Which options are correct?• Eliminate wrong answers• Eliminate 3, then remaining

option is the answer!• Do not try to find the answer at

first sight

TOEFL Lecture


• How are wrong answers designed?

• How are correct answers designed?

TOEFL Lecture


READING


• No. of Qs ： 12−14• 3-6 ： Factual Info• 3-5 ： Vocabulary• 1-3 : Inferences• 3 main types• Score 28 with the right

strategy!

READING


[Wrong answers]1. Not mentioned2. Inimical (Opposite)3. Different from what

is written

READING


[Vocab Questions]1. EASY if Memorize Know2. Educated guess using

hints from the front and back of the sentence

3. Elimination method if you still don’t know

READING


[How to solve]1. αSkimming

1.5 min x 2 par. (Speed Reading)

2. What are the main points?

3. Structure check4. View answer options5. Elimination method

READING


[αSkimming]1. Speed reading of 2

paragraphs in 1.5 minutes2. Grasping key words3. Read while understanding

the structure4. Oh, this point is written

here~5. Oh, the main point is this~

READING


Let’s do it!

READING


[Normal Skimming]1. Speed reading in 3 minutes2. Grasping key words3. Read while understanding

the structure4. Oh, this point is written

here~5. Oh, the main point is this~

READING


[αSkimming]1. Speed reading in 1.5 minutes2. Grasping key words3. Read while understanding the

structure4. Oh, this point is written here~5. Oh, the main point is this~

READING


[Factual Questions]1. Not written2. Inimical (opposite)3. Different from what is

written

READING


[EXCEPT Questions]1. Eliminate options that

are written2. Remaining option is the

answer

READING


[Vocabulary Questions]1. You already know2. Make an educated guess3. Elimination method

READING


[Fill-in Questions]1. In-line with the flow of

the text2. Read the flow of the text3. Dependent? Opposite?

READING


[Sorting Questions]1. Do it at the very end

READING


[Homework]1. Practice SET １ -62. Practice Test 1-33. Elimination method!!4. Clarify the basis for

eliminating5. Matching that basis & OG’s

rationale!

READING


[Important point]1. Eliminate 3 options2. Remaining is the answer3. No need to confirm the

correct answer!4. Sorting Qs should be done

at the very end!5. Finish others, then go

back!

READING


LISTENING


Conversation• 1 conversation

＞５ QsLecture• 1 lecture

＞６ Qs

Listening


• ２ - ３ Conv ：５ Q(10-15)

• ４ - ６ Lecture ： 6 Q (24-36)

• Scoring (Ex. 36 Q)• 33-36 ＞　 28−30• 29-32 ＞　 25−29• Aim for 29/36!

Listening


1.Main Idea2.Speaker’s

intention3.Sentence

structure

Listening


1.Main Idea2.Speaker’s

intention 3.Sentence

structure

Listening


1.Main idea1) Content2) Purpose3) Detail

Listening


1. Main idea1) Content• What problem does the man have?• What are the speakers mainly discussing?• What is the main topic of the lecture?• What is the lecture mainly about?• Correct ： Rephrased• Incorrect ： Abstract

Listening


1. Main idea2) Purpose• Why does the student visit the professor?• Why does the student visit the office?• Why the professor ask to see the student?• Why does the professor explain X?• Asked with reason in mind• Why did this person visit that place? Any

problems?• Why did this student/lecturer mention

that?

Listening


1. Main idea3) Detail• According to the professor, what is one

way that X can affect Y?• What is X?• What resulted from the invention of the X• Asked with reason in mind• Details are not asked. Important point!• Vocab used in the conversation is NOT

used in the answer options• Answers in line with the main idea O

Listening


1.Main idea2.Speaker’s

intention 3.Sentence

structure

Listening


2. Speaker’s intention 1) Function2) Attitude

Listening


2. Speaker’s intention1) Function• What does the professor imply when he

says this?• Why does the student say this?• What does the professor mean when she

says this?• Often, it is not specifically stated• Be aware of the intention of the speaker

Listening


2. Speaker’s intention2) Attitude• What can be inferred about the students?• What is the professor’s attitude toward A?• What is the professor’s opinion of X?• What can be inferred about the student

when she says this?• What does the woman mean when she says this?• Pay attention to the tone of the speaker• Is he/she troubled? happy? apologetic?

Listening



intention3.Sentence

structure

Listening


3. Sentence structure1) Organization2) Connection3) Inference

Listening


３． Sentence structure1) Organization• How does the professor organize info?• How is the discussion organized?• Why does the professor discuss X?• Frequent in lectures• Pay attention to comparison or sequence

of issues• Topic shift(A → B)• Main topic→ Sub topic• Intro, Conclusion / Example / joke

Listening


３． Sentence structure2) Connection• What is the outcome of doing X?• What can be inferred about X?• What does the professor imply about X?• Pay attention to the format of the lecture• Pay attention to conditions and definitions• Connection between main keywords

Listening


３． Sentence structure3) Inferences• What can be inferred about X?• What does the professor imply about X?• Choose the ‘additional’ choice to go along

with the conclusion of the conversation/lecture

• In many cases, words not mentioned in the conversation will be the answer

Listening


1. Take Notes!2. Major Points Only!3. Expect Questions!4. New Words/Concepts5. Organization/Connection6. Elimination ！

Listening


No need to think too much!


intention3.Sentence

structure

Listening


SPEAKING


• ‘Episodes’ are needed to answer many of the questions

• Questions such as ‘Favorite travel destination, childhood memories, experiences with English, places with memories, first experiences with something’ are all answerable with one answer

• In Speaking, coming up with and memorizing episodes that are readily available is very important

• In Speaking, many questions come in similar formats, so it is quite helpful to have episodes ready

Speaking


• There are only 45 seconds in Speaking• First.... 、 Second....etc., Do not answer

in the format of an essay!• This is a conversation• Answers with simple vocab and

grammar are best• Vocabulary is also evaluated, but the

most important criterion is whether you have answered the question

Speaking


• For Independent, you are asked to think for 15 secs, then answer for 45 secs

• For Integrated, you are asked to think for 30 secs, then answer for 60 secs

• Decide on the outline to prepare/speak for 15/30 seconds

• Understand how much to prepare/speak for 45/60 seconds

• Get used to the sense of 45, 60 seconds• Make sure to finish in time• Special training with individual correction

Speaking


WRITING


• Independent: 30 mins• Decide the outline in the first 5

minutes• Review and edit in the last 5 minutes• Write for 20 minutes

Writing


[Independent]1. Intro ： 1 ） Clarify your position(I agree/disagree with the

statement ".....") 2. 2 ） Introduce all of your main reasons (because of the

following reasons: inequality and poverty.../ because of differences in incomes and domestic violence...)

3. 1st point ： Your main point 「 Followed by Why 」＋ Example

4. 2nd point ： Your next point or opposite view. 「 Introduce an opposite viewpoint and write why it is not valid, thus strengthening your main argument 」

5. Conclusion ： Rewrite your point. Write the +/- of each point and also your personal opinion. Students at high levels strengthen their point by arguing for the opposite of their personal opinion. (Although (---------), I believe that (My point) is.......)

Writing


• Integrated: Read for 3 minutes, then listen to lecture

• Required to summarize in 20 minutes• Take proper notes while listening• Decide on the outline in the first 5

minutes• Do NOT write your own opinion

Writing


EOP

Education

TOEFL Advisory