New IBT TOEFL test information

http://www.imakenews.com/toefl/e_article000289142.cfm?x=b11,0,w TOEFL Test Info

This is a good review of the changes from the previous version of the TOEFL test to the new, which was released in September 2005. The changes center mainly around the emphasis on grammar. The old test used grammar as the base, but the new version incorporates grammar and vocabulary within the Writing, Reading, and Speaking and Listening sections. There is also a 'test drive' section of this article, so you can see the changes in the test. Good information.

Lehigh University gives its ESL faculty the following information on the new test:
(http://www.lehigh.edu/~inesl/home/frameset.htm?forwardURL=/~inesl/Guide/newTOEFL.htm)
' Based on Communicative Language Pedagogy, the speaking test on the new TOEFL will cover these areas of communication:
Remembering the most important points in a lecture
Understanding instructor's directions about assignments and their due dates
Recognizing which points in a lecture are important and which are less important
Relating information that they hear to what they already know
There will be questions about personal knowledge subjects such as a familiar place or event and on a personal preference about a situation. For the academic speaking questions, students will be asked to listen to academic conversations, university lectures, and readings on academic subjects. Students will need to respond fluently and coherently to problems that are based on the information that they've heard. '

Other good sites for information on the new test:
http://esl.about.com/b/a/205630.htm About.com
http://www.free-english.com/ FreeEnglish.com (includes free practice tests)
http://www.languagesystems.com/forum/FORUM.asp?FORUM_ID=32&gclid=CPv_qaKOloQCFT9rJAod9BwivA (free TOEFL help forum)
http://www.4tests.com/exams/examdetail.asp?eid=57 4tests.com: Practice tests