Comments for Mauricio Miraglia

Comment on Should I take TOEFL iBT or IELTS? by lee hsieh

lee hsieh — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 03:09:28 +0000

Neither IELTS nor TOEFL can be a problem for test takers if they are well prepared, anywhere in the world. In East Asia, many cram schools known as buxiban even teach skills to guess right answers in the multiple-choice questons. This is psychology which has a lot to do with training speaking, listening, writing and reading skills.

In my opinion, good preparations start with English reading. Writing skills are powered by extensive reading. Listening is another form of reading, with the mind’s ears and the mind’s eyes, respectively. Likewise,speaking in sound to express sense is not unlike sending meaning messages by writing in silence.

Learners of English as a foreign language in China, Taiwan, Hongkng, South Korea and Japan have a harder time than their
peers in Chile because of bigger cultural differences.

I would like to suggest that test takers learn from English native speakers, although CDs, DVDs, online orientations also can help, especially in the listening and speaking parts. Reading may well be self-learning. Writing exercises may be done with the guidance of an experienced instructor, but necessarily a native speaker.

About me. Spanish is my everyday language. My native tongue is
Mandarin Chinese. English syntax is my hobby. I enjoy reading
in English with the fun of syntax.

I would be happy to share the oriental experiences in ESL tests with students in Chile. As a retired businessman, I have time, and I need some fun, too. leehsieh@hotmail.com

Comment on Should I take TOEFL iBT or IELTS? by Mauricio Miraglia

Mauricio Miraglia — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:33:27 +0000

Thanks Trav and John for your comments!
About IELTS, just one thing I wonder is why they have not made their rubrics public. I do have a “version” which should be the official, yet I have not found the real McCoy…uh… do u have some info to this effect?

Comment on Should I take TOEFL iBT or IELTS? by Trav

Trav — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:04:49 +0000

I think TOEFLiBT does not trully measure candidate’s speaking capability because test takers interact with the machine (computers) that cannot grasp non-verbal communication which is an integral part of communication.

If you ask me to choose between the two tests, I’ll pick IELTS because I will be interacting with a human being who will be able to correctly evaluate my language skills.

Trav

Comment on Should I take TOEFL iBT or IELTS? by John

John — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 00:34:21 +0000

Hi Mauricio,

I’m an ESL teacher, and I run the websites http://www.GoodLuckTOEFL.com and http;//www.GoodLuckIELTS.com. Over the past few years, I’ve seen more and more students frustrated by the IELTS. Though the TOEFL iBT has its share of problems, I’ve seen more students whose English is good have problems with the IELTS than with the TOEFL. This is sometimes due to confusing instructions or wording on the exam, or often due to accents that are hard to decipher in the Listening section.

Comment on Happy 2008! Message for my Students by Freddy (:

Freddy (: — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 01:34:33 +0000

Heyy!!!!!
wow, didnt check mi email till today, but anyways, thank you very much for ur words and well, see u in classes, i took my eng course with you, i liked ur style, so, thanks and all that.
Happy new year for u, wish you had a good xmas ;D

Comment on Best Wishes!! - Xmas 2007 by Pamela Ulloa-DeMarinis

Pamela Ulloa-DeMarinis — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 01:24:22 +0000

To My Deartest Friend Mauro,
From a distance, I send you this greeting in order for you to know that you are a wonderful person and not forgotten. You are loved for the Special being that you are & even though we don’t see eachother or talk for ages, we have that Special Bond which is friendship. May 2008 be the start of an inspiring time in your life.May you enjoy Good Luck, Love & prosperity.God Bless ya Mauri.

Comment on Best Wishes!! - Xmas 2007 by Rusalka

Rusalka — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 02:19:41 +0000

Hey there,

You are a good person Mauricio, caring, accepting, compassionate and considered. I often think about you and how lucky I am to know you. Dean and I hope you’ll get to come and stay with us one day soon.