TOEFL ZONE

Hello, Metages. I’m one of your former students. I wanted to share my toefl results from the February 19 test date. Thank you for your support!

I have received several requests from TOEFL takers looking for effective study materials. Here are some of the best books to help you prepare for the exam. Some of the resources are available here on the TOEFL ZONE channel.


1. The Official Guide to the TOEFL Test
This comprehensive guide, published by ETS (the creators of the TOEFL), offers authentic practice questions, detailed skill-building tips, and four full-length practice tests.
https://www.amazon.com/Official-Guide-TOEFL-CD-ROM-Toefl/dp/0071766588


2. Kaplan's TOEFL iBT Prep Plus
This book provides in-depth content review, practice questions, and test-taking strategies, along with online resources including practice tests and video tutorials.
https://www.amazon.com/TOEFL-iBT-Prep-Plus-2020-2021/dp/1506250149


3. Barron's TOEFL iBT
Known for its detailed explanations and extensive practice materials, this guide includes eight full-length practice tests and a review of all four test sections.
https://www.amazon.com/Barrons-How-Prepare-Toefl-Test/dp/0764172654


4. Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL Test
This resource offers skill-building exercises, practice tests, and audio CDs to help improve listening comprehension.
https://www.amazon.com/Cambridge-Preparation-TOEFL-Test-CD-ROM/dp/1107699088


5. Princeton Review's Cracking the TOEFL iBT
This book provides strategies for each section of the test, practice drills, and a full-length practice test to help you prepare effectively.
https://www.amazon.com/Cracking-TOEFL-iBT-Princeton-Review/dp/1524757842

Hello all, I come to here to share my results after receiving my Toefl score today and I'm so happy because I needed it for my dentist school application. I want to say that some of the tips that some of you shared here helped me a lot so I come here to give my advice if that helps anyone else too.

As an international dentist, I score 106 exceeding the requirements for my graduate studies. Balancing my professional responsibilities with test preparation was a considerable challenge but through consistent effort and immersion in English, I was able to succeed. Daily reading of English materials along with resources such as Test Admit and the official Toefl website significantly improved my comprehension skills resulting in a reading score of 26. Regular practice in English conversations combined with focused note-taking and exercises from TST Prep and Test Admit helped me achieve a listening score of 29. By engaging in daily English discussions and applying well-organized response strategies from TST Prep videos, I earned a speaking score of 28.

My writing score of 23 though lower than the other sections reflects the challenges I faced in organizing my thoughts under time constraints and expressing complex ideas with precision. However, ongoing practice using the Toefl website has been crucial in helping me strengthen my writing abilities.

I am profoundly thankful to my tutor Metages Mesfin @Meti_2323 for his constant support and guidance throughout this journey. Even though I practiced with different websites in order to increase my Toefl scores, he was the one who guided me what to do and what not to do. Please don't lose hope for this exam. Practice each day and you will see the difference. I wish you all the best luck with your toefl test.

Vocabulary words from the News article
1. Summit – A meeting or conference of leaders or experts to discuss important issues.


2. Convene – To bring people together for a meeting or gathering.


3. Escalating – Increasing in intensity or seriousness.


4. Tensions – Strained relations or conflicts between parties.


5. Compensation – Something given as a form of restitution or repayment for loss or injury.


6. Reparations – Compensation or restitution for wrongs or damages, often related to historical injustices.


7. Impasse – A situation in which no progress can be made due to conflicting positions.


8. Intervention – The act of becoming involved in a situation to affect its outcome.


9. Controversial – Likely to cause disagreement or public debate.


10. Alleviate – To reduce or ease something, such as a burden or problem.


11. Burden – A heavy load or responsibility.


12. Steer – To guide or direct something, such as policies or decisions.


13. Debt Refinancing – The process of restructuring a debt to obtain more favorable terms or reduce the burden.


14. Diplomatic Impasse – A situation where negotiations or discussions reach a standstill due to opposing views or positions.


15. Long-term Aspirations – Future goals or ambitions that require time to achieve.


16. Decisive – Having the power or quality to make important decisions or outcomes.


17. Resolutions – Formal decisions or conclusions reached after discussion or deliberation.
@toeflzone

African Union Summit 2025: Leaders Confront Crisis, Call for Reparations, and Push for Economic Reform

By Metages Mesfin
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – February 14, 2025

The 38th African Union (AU) Summit is in full swing in Addis Ababa as African leaders convene to tackle some of the continent’s most pressing challenges. Central to the high-stakes discussions are the escalating conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the contentious demand for reparations for slavery and colonialism and crucial economic reforms aimed at bolstering stability.

The DRC crisis continues to dominate the summit’s agenda, with violence intensifying in the eastern regions and ongoing tensions with neighboring Rwanda threatening regional security. Leaders are calling for stronger international intervention to bring an end to the violence and ensure peace.

The question of reparations for the brutal legacy of slavery and colonialism remains a major point of contention. African leaders are pushing for reparative justice, demanding financial compensation from former colonial powers. However, Western opposition to these reparations remains fierce, creating a diplomatic impasse that may define the course of the summit.

In a bid to reshape the continent’s future, the summit is also focused on electing new leadership within the AU Commission. The selection of a new Chairperson will steer the organization’s policies for the next four years, setting the stage for Africa’s long-term aspirations. Meanwhile, the African Development Bank is unveiling a new debt refinancing mechanism to help alleviate the financial burden on struggling nations.

As the summit unfolds, all eyes are on Africa’s leaders to deliver decisive resolutions that could pave the way for lasting peace, justice and prosperity across the continent.

@toeflzone

Finally, mission accomplished! I scored 106 on the toefl exam and I’m officially ready for my dental school program. Deep gratitude to Metages Mesfin for the guidance.

Hi Metages, I was required to submit a toefl score of at least 90 for the international student scholarship program. Thank you for everything. Here are my scores
R: 20, L: 26, S: 27, W: 24
I achieved a 97 total exceeding the requirement.

Sir, today is a milestone for me. After several attempts, I finally scored 110 on toefl, surpassing my expectations. From 88 → 96 → 101 → 103, I kept improving but your online lessons and constructive feedback played a crucial role in my success.

Despite using various toefl materials such as, test gliders, toefl resources, ets official resources and various toefl related videos, your help, encouragement and structured approach made all the difference. I wholeheartedly recommend @Meti_2323 to anyone preparing for TOEFL because:

1. You are genuinely honest and committed.


2. Your motivation and dedication inspire me.


3. Your online teaching is effective, supportive and results-driven.


Thank you once again, sir. Alhamdulillah!

8 TOEFL Speaking Tips


1. Prioritize Practice Over Watching Videos

True improvement comes from active practice. If you only have 10 minutes, dedicate 9 minutes to speaking and just 1 minute to watch instructional videos. The more you practice, the more natural your responses will become.



2. Stay Focused

Distractions can hinder your progress. Put your phone on silent, choose a quiet study environment, and set a fixed schedule for your speaking practice. Consistency and focus will lead to noticeable improvements.



3. Record Your Voice

Listening to your own responses allows you to analyze your pronunciation, fluency, and speaking patterns. Although it might feel uncomfortable at first, this method is invaluable for identifying areas of improvement.



4. Use a Consistent Opening for Each Question Type

The hardest part of speaking is often knowing how to begin. Develop a structured opening phrase for each type of TOEFL Speaking question to help you start smoothly and confidently.



5. Move Your Hands While Speaking

Body language plays a crucial role in communication. Using hand gestures can make you sound more expressive, confident, and natural, helping you deliver responses with greater ease.



6. Use a Timer During Practice

TOEFL Speaking tasks have strict time limits. Practicing with a timer helps you manage your responses effectively, ensuring that you deliver complete answers within the given timeframe. This habit boosts confidence and readiness for test day.



7. Find a Study Buddy

Practicing with a partner keeps you motivated and accountable. Connecting with like-minded learners can enhance your speaking skills through feedback and interactive discussions.



8. Leverage Speech-to-Text Technology

Speech recognition software is a great tool to refine pronunciation. If the software accurately transcribes your speech, you're on the right track. If not, adjust your clarity and pace for better articulation.

Final Remark:

Mastering the TOEFL Speaking section requires consistent practice, strategic techniques, and confidence. Implementing these eight tips will help you improve fluency, pronunciation, and delivery, ensuring that you perform at your best on test day. Keep practicing, and success will follow!
@toeflzone

Important Update – New Pricing Effective February 10, 2025

The methods I use for teaching are already detailed in my previous post, so kindly scroll up for more information. The only change is the updated pricing:

8 lessons – $520 USD

12 lessons – $730 USD

16 lessons – $950 USD


Feel free to contact me via WhatsApp at +251929247375 for more details or to book your sessions.

Hello, guess what, Sir? I took my exam on February 1, 2025, and just received my score today 110 out of 120. I’m beyond excited and couldn’t have done it without your guidance and your intensive online session Mr Mesfin. I hope this surprise makes you proud.

To my THREE amazing TOEFL students taking their exams tomorrow February 5, 2025,

Knock it out of the park tomorrow. You’ve prepped like pros so walk in there and own the exam. I know you’re more than ready. Can’t wait to celebrate your success.