TOEFL Preparation using Recreational Reading

Results

Table 1 presents gains made by each subject for each component of the TOEFL, as well as weeks spent reading and the average gain per week. The average gain per student was 3.5 points per week, which is about the same as one achieves in intensive Academic English programs taught in the United States (Swinton, 1983).

Table 1. Gains Made by Students

Name	Test date	Listen	Grammar	Reading	*Total	Gain	Weeks	**Pts/Wk
Noriko	1/17/01	51	44	41	453
	4/6/01	51	52	47	500	47	11 wks	4.2
Sumiyo	1/22/03	46	44	42	440
	4/5/03	50	49	44	477	37	10 wks	3.7
Yoko	7/12/03	44	45	48	457
	8/6/03	46	49	50	477	20	3.5 wks	5.7
U	7/12/03	46	51	47	480
	10/25/03	49	50	55	513	33	15 wks	2.2
Yu	7/12/03	44	42	46	440
	10/25/03	46	44	51	470	30	15 wks	2
Kenji	3/31/05	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.	467
	6/10/05	n.a.	n.a.	n.a.	500	33	10 wks	3.3

*Total TOEFL scores are arrived at by calculating the mean of the three components and multiplying by ten: eg, 51 + 44 + 41 = 136/3 = 45.3 *10 = 453.
**The calculation of points per week may over-estimate the amount of reading done per week because the time period included, in four cases of out six, the final two weeks of the semester during which final examinations were administered. n.a. = not available

Tom McCarthy noted an interesting phenomenon in table 1: The longer the students participated in the program, the fewer average points per week they gained. McCarthy's observation was confirmed: There is a nearly perfect correlation between gains and the duration of reading (r = .95). Clearly, we need to examine the actual reading behavior of the readers, so to determine if and why enthusiasm for reading wanes. The problem is that taking a closer look at readers' behavior might disrupt the process, and reduce the pleasure of reading. Unobtrusive means must be found. Before taking this step, however, simple replication of these results with other readers is called for.

The results of this study confirm that improving in a second language can take place from self-selected reading alone, and suggest that at least some students can prepare for the TOEFL through reading.