One thing that I’ve learned over the years is that if you want to achieve something, infusing an element of fun or play into it makes the task easier. The power of community and working with others is another way to motivate yourself and move towards a goal.
When I was in college and wanted to get into better shape, I didn’t have the money to go to a gym. I bought some weights and worked out to a Linkin Park DVD every day. About a year ago I decided that I needed to get back into cooking, so I started listening to podcasts while cooking to help pass the time.
Those situations make me think about an event that I’m co-hosting with Andrew Zimmerer soon called Roll and Talk TOEFL.
What is Roll and Talk TOEFL?
Roll and Talk TOEFL is a free event to practice your speaking for the Take an Interview task. It involves rolling some dice and answering questions based on the dice roll. The questions are similar to what you might encounter in the Take an Interview section, and you’ll get to practice and speak in small groups.
There are multiple benefits of an activity like this.
First of all, you will get to practice speaking spontaneously under timed conditions. This is essential, as TOEFL doesn’t provide any time to formulate your responses.
You will also get to hear how others speak. They might have a different perspective about a question that you hadn’t considered before, or they might use some vocabulary that is new to you. This will allow you to learn from others.
Last but not least, there’s power in numbers. Preparing for an international test like TOEFL is a daunting task, and it’s not easy to do so alone. The social element of interacting with others for part of your preparation helps make the experience a little less solitary and more enjoyable.
How can I participate?
Roll and Talk TOEFL is happening on Saturday July 18th at the following times:
9 am Mexico City
10 am Colombia, Ecuador
11 am Chile
12 pm Argentina, Brazil
You can register by clicking here.
Please note that this will be an interactive experience to practice your speaking, and you’re expected to keep your camera on and participate during the session.
I hope to see you there!
