TOEFL 6 Month Study Plan: Month 1

The first month of your TOEFL preparation should be focused on building a solid foundation in English. This is crucial for tackling the more complex aspects of the exam in later months. Begin by enhancing your general English skills, and then move on to specific sections of the TOEFL: reading, listening, writing, and speaking.

English Skills Section

1. Grammar and Vocabulary: Spend 30 minutes daily on grammar exercises and vocabulary building. Use resources like “English Grammar in Use” by Raymond Murphy or online tools like Grammarly and Quizlet. Focus on high-frequency TOEFL words using apps like Magoosh TOEFL Vocabulary Flashcards.

• Example Topics for Vocabulary: Technology advancements, environmental issues, historical events, and everyday activities.

2. TOEFL Vocabulary Interactive Training Program: Complete all exercises in this program. Write down all vocabulary words you learn in your notebook. When studying, ask yourself the following:

• Can you pronounce each vocabulary word correctly?
• Can you identify these vocabulary words when you hear them?
• Can you use these vocabulary words correctly in your speaking and writing answers?
• Do you understand all the usages of prepositions and other vocabulary words in the example sentences?

3. Academic Skills Lessons: Complete all lessons in this category to build a strong academic language base.

4. Optional Grammar Lessons: Study additional grammar materials, such as books or YouTube videos, focusing on the following topics:

• All tenses including conditional tenses
• Nouns (countable and uncountable), adjectives, and adverbs
• Subject-verb agreement
• Determiners (quantifiers, articles, etc.)
• Relative pronouns and relative clauses
• Verb complementation (infinitive, gerund, that-clause)
• Noun, adjective, and adverb clauses
• Prepositions
• Coordinating and subordinating conjunctions
• Joining two sentences using participial phrases
• Comparative and superlative

Reading Section

• Complete TOEFL Reading Lessons. Work through all the TOEFL reading lessons provided in your study materials.
• Read one TOEFL passage each day. Focus on understanding the main ideas, details, and the structure of the text. Use practice books like “The Complete Guide to the TOEFL Test” by Bruce Rogers.
• Develop note-taking skills by summarizing passages. This will help retain information and improve your ability to answer questions related to the text.
• Example Practice Passages: Use passages on topics like the history of jazz, the process of photosynthesis, and the impact of globalization.

Listening Section

• Complete 40 Campus-Conversation Listening Exercises. These exercises help you get comfortable with the speed of native speakers and study vocabularies, idioms, and phrasal verbs used in campus conversation settings.
• Go through all listening lessons provided in your study materials.
• Listen to English podcasts, news, or TED Talks for 30 minutes daily. Focus on understanding different accents and styles of speech. Podcasts like “NPR News Now,” “Science Vs,” and “TED Radio Hour” are excellent choices.
• After listening, summarize the content in your own words. This improves comprehension and helps you practice extracting key points from spoken English.
• Example Listening Topics: Listen to talks on scientific discoveries, personal growth stories, and educational lectures.

Writing Section

• Complete All TOEFL Writing Lessons. Work through all the writing lessons provided in your study materials.
• Write one essay per week on common TOEFL topics. Focus on clear structure and coherence. Use prompts from “Official TOEFL iBT Tests Volume 1” by ETS.
• Read and study 7 sample essays from each of the following TOEFL independent writing question types:
  • Preference questions
  • Agree & disagree questions
  • If/imaginary questions
  • Comparison and contrast questions
  • Description or explanation questions
• Exchange essays with a study partner for feedback. Use the feedback to improve your writing skills.
• Example Essay Topics: Write about the pros and cons of social media, the importance of education, and the effects of globalization.

Speaking Section

• Complete All TOEFL Speaking Lessons provided in your study materials.
• Practice speaking for 10-15 minutes daily on various topics. Record and review your responses to identify areas for improvement. Use tools like “TOEFL Speaking Practice” on YouTube for prompts.
• Focus on improving your pronunciation and intonation. Practice difficult sounds and word stress.
• Engage in English conversations with friends or language partners. This helps improve fluency and confidence. Use language exchange apps like Tandem or HelloTalk to find speaking partners.
• Example Speaking Topics: Discuss your favorite book, describe a memorable trip, or explain your opinion on a current event.

The TOEFL exam is a widely recognized test that measures English language proficiency. It is a necessary test for non-native speakers aiming to study or work in English-speaking countries. The test consists of four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, and takes about four hours to complete.

This 6-month TOEFL study plan is designed to guide you through a comprehensive preparation process, ensuring you build a strong foundation in each section. In this article, we will provide a detailed month-by-month breakdown of the study plan, along with tips and strategies to help you succeed in the TOEFL exam.