The EFL Students’ Problems in Answering the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): A Study in Indonesian Context

Abstract

The focus of this paper is to explore the students' problems in answering the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). TOEFL is a type of language testing to reveal the students' English proficiency. This is a descriptive study based on in-depth semi-structured interview and classroom observation. The subject of this research was the students of Graduate Program at one state university in Makassar, Indonesia. This study took three classes as sample, namely one from English education department, one from Social Science, and one from Natural Science. To gain data, the three classes were observed and twelve (12) representatives of the three classes were interviewed. Findings showed that the main problems of the students in answering the TOEFL test were due to several conflicting reasons, such as fewer basic skills, less practice, less motivation, and students' individual differences such as age and social status.

Efl Students' Strategies Dealing With Common Difficulties in Toefl Reading Comprehension Section

“…Interestingly, our study extends the findings of previous studies conducted by Alghail and Mahfoodh (2016), Mahmud (2014), Antoni (2014), Chawwang (2008) and . In our study, we reveal more problematic skills for students, which are: (1) identifying implied detail questions correctly, (2) identifying stated detail questions correctly, (3) determining meanings of difficult words by using context, (4) identifying main idea questions correctly, and (5) determining meanings from word parts.…”

“…Then, Mahmud (2014), in her study, shows that students' lack of skills and motivation hinder them from being able to comprehend a text. The result of research conducted by Antoni (2014) also reveals that in reading section, students face difficulties to understand the meaning of the passage and they could not catch all ideas from the passage given.…”

Indonesian College Students� Perceptions of Toefl Preparation Class

“…The researchers studied the TOEFL iBT. However, Mahmud (2014) This research is a qualitative study. It gathered data through a structured interview (see the list of the questions in Appendix).…”

“…Mahmud (2014) studied the problems faced by the Indonesian students who had TOEFL-like or TOEFL prediction. The study found that the problems are low basic skills, less practice and motivation, and age as well as social status.…”

As You Write, It Helps You Listen: An Experiment in TOEFL Preparation Class

“…Since the world's civilization has become more and more globalized, English absolutelyappears as th elingua-franca among mankind and it covers the majority of academic deliverance. Based on this fact, most universities in our homeland-Indonesia-as well as abroad, standardizes a certain TOEFL score as an obligatory requirement either for the admission or for the graduation (Ananda, 2016;Cushing Weigle, 2010;Mahmud, 2014). It is highly intended that all scholars can skip this hurdle without problems so that they have smoother access to the knowledge in their specialty or to meet their job qualification later when they graduate.…”