How to Succeed in English Proficiency

Photo and Essay by Hamed Abbas 

International students usually come to the USA to study at universities. The majority take English courses before they apply to university. The main reason is to improve their English proficiency. That helps them to get a higher score on some English exams such as the TOEFL and IELTS. So, the new students who come to the English Language Institute (ELI) may grab the optimum benefits if they employ some strategies. In these cases, the student might alternate between the ELI courses and the TOEFL preparation, managing his time during the day, and the understanding the best time to take English exams. Hence, there are some strategies that help any freshman to improve his English proficiency.


Generally, any university requires English proficiency to ensure that the student has the ability to study and understand his course material measured by test such as the TOEFL and GRE. The ELI offers many courses, For instance, Reading, Speaking, Listening, and Writing. Those skills are already required in the TOEFL or ILETS. The student has to take those courses when he studies in the ELI. Meantime, he should be improving himself in each section of the TOEFL. Also, he takes Grammar and Vocabulary in the ELI. The students, especially grad students, have to get high score on the GRE. They obtain the benefits particularly from vocabulary course in the verbal section, also, from grammar and writing for the analytical section.


It is very difficult for students to prepare for the GRE and TOEFL while studying at the ELI in the morning every day. For example, a student may attend 6 classes or 7. So, he has to manage his time efficiently. He should divide the day into three sections. First, attend the classes. That is usually from the morning until noon or after noon. Second, take a rest for lunch and watching TV. Finally, study for the ELI courses and the TOEFL or GRE. If he can manage his time he will feel better, and also, he will feel that he is enhancing in his English during the time.


Some students are confused about the best time to take the TOEFL. It depends on the period of time they have. If they have over a year to get the admission that means the student has a lot of time. On the other hand, if the student has less time, he has to study hard and follow some strategies that could help him. For instance, he can take the exam at the beginning to evaluate himself, and take it again after several months. Surely, he will see the difference between them. The students in the level 250 (upper intermediate composition) are able to take the TOEFL test immediately. They have the ability to understand and recognize the TOEFL material.


I believe that each student has un opportunity when he comes to the US for studying English. He will improve himself gradually. If the student takes the feedback from ELI instructors and applies these in his TOEFL, he will get a high score. He should study seriously. Moreover, he has to manage his time between the ELI classes and rest time and study time at home (self-study). The best time to take the TOEFL or GRE depends on the period of time staying in the US. In my experience, if anyone wants to develop the English proficiency, he or she should stay in the country in which the English is the native language.


Key Words:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language

ILETS: International Language English Test System

GRE: Graduate Record Examination