TOEFL® Podcast 1 Welcome to the TOEFL® Podcast! If you are studying to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language, either in the paper-based, computer-based, or the new Next Generation TOEFL® format, then this podcast is for you. The TOEFL® Podcast will help anyone studying for an exam that requires listening comprehension, including the IELTS and other similar exams throughout the world. Each weekly TOEFL® Podcast will have four parts. First, you'll hear a portion of a conversation or a lecture similar to one you may hear in your classes in the United States. This first portion is done slowly, to give you a chance to pick up the new terms and vocabulary. The second part of the podcast is an explanation of some of the key vocabulary and expressions from the sample conversation or lecture. Third, you'll hear the conversation or lecture again, but this time at the normal speed that you will hear in the actual TOEFL® examination. Finally, we ask you a few comprehension questions to check your understanding, similar to what you may hear on the TOEFL®. The approach we use in this podcast to prepare you for the listening comprehension section of the TOEFL® or similar exams is very different from other books or courses. Many people think that you should listen to native speakers talking as they usually do—very fast—so that you can get used to understanding them. Unfortunately, for many learners of English, this is too fast for them to understand much of what is said. Sometimes you may only understand 40-50% of what was said. This is a very inefficient use of time, since you can only pick up new words and phrases when you can understand their meaning. Listening to native speakers only speaking at a native rate means picking up fewer new words in English than if you listened to them more slowly. Our approach is very different. Here, you will listen to English conversations using the same words or phrases as a native speaker uses, but more slowly and clearly. This way, you can actually understand and pick up these words. After a couple of times listening to the podcast, you will be able to comprehend up to 80-90% of it. This is a much better and more efficient use of your time. As your English gets better and better by listening, you will be able to understand what native speakers are saying when they speak fast. Note: TOEFL® is a registered trademark of the Educational Testing Service, which does not endorse and was not involved in the production of this podcast.