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TSE的几点提示 12.29
2001-01-03 14:14:47
转摘自新东方论坛
I just got to US for 8 weeks. The second day of my landing, I took a SPEAK test, scoring 46. Then I took a program of TA training for 7 weeks. After that, I took another SPEAK ,the score was 55 this time. Long time not be here in AdvancEDU board, and I really want to share some feelings with you, who will take the TSE test, and who are determined to pursue a degree in US.
First, remember, life is hard here in US. So be prepared. I need to quote two sayings:
1. You fail to plan, you plan to fail.
I read about this when I was preparing for my visa. I was shocked and regretted not able to know this earlier. Just put this on mind, such a great truth. Language is important, don’t just TSE for TSE's sake. When you come here in US, you still need to hone it anyway, and that is really hard, for you will have so many things on mind. So it is good or practice early and for a long time.
2. Practice makes perfect.
I love this one. The way I see it is we need to be devoted. I saw a joke lately. Qian Kunqiang ate out with some Indians and talked about we Chinese can get 600 on verbal, GRE with ease. The Indians were astonished: Can you get an offer without a 700? So, remember, practice for your high GPA, T, G, TSE for a good school.
Now, let me focus on TSE. I got a 45 last October, and it was really a regret for me. I prepared only 2 hours everyday, for two weeks. I spent most of my time in my lab, which really did not help much in my application. Here, I really put my heart into it, and I really appreciate the environment here.
1. Pronunciation: We have problems with vowels, but that is not as important as consonants. And if you don’t have enough time, this is OK. It is really hard to change our British English into American English. Every morning at two, when I listen to BBC news, they are more dear to me:(. As one person put it, we omit the consonant too much, which is fatal, not understandable, sometimes. This cannot be accomplished so soon, so focus next.
2. Rhythm: This is the largest part of a foreign accent. So listen to native speakers and imitate. I suggest the book of Listening to this---3. This is a great course, esp sth from NPR news of 1985, authentic. 3. Topics: I prepared for about 200 topics. In fact, my instructor told me some of them can never be tested, those sound too weird. But prepare some, such as sports, events, etc.
3. Listening is not equal to speaking, so speak as much as possible. I made only one error in TOEFL listening, listened to about 100 tapes during my college years. But I was too lazy to speak. One is because not convenient to do so in the dorm, other is it is a little weird to speak English to a Chinese, esp a friend. So I hope you can do h no one will believe. So A good organization. This is important. Use as many cohesive device as possible. Look for a grammar book and look for some to use.
4. Grammar. When I come here, I was astonished Americans are so good at grammar. They can pick out your error of formal subject or difficult and long clause or the use of infinitive form in your speech with ease. They know how to use words and phrases exactly. It is us whose grammar is not so good:
complexing he and she, past and present tense, losing -s or -ed here and there. So don’t believe in this false image, and try to work on your grammar when speaking, esp when taking a test.
5. Don’t use large and complicated words. Chinese are not good at stress. So maybe the rater is totally confused with what you have said, try to use simple ones, if you want to express yourself better.
6. Speak slowly. No one will think your English is poor just because you speak too slow. On the contrary, when you speak too quickly, you may not be understandable, your intelligibility suffers. I listened to the two conventions of the two parties here, the politicians all speak slowly. They think they can take their time and so can you.
7. Formal and informal. This still confuses me, maybe I need to work more on this myself.
8. Don’t cram for the test. I read the supercourse of TSE even on my plane to US. But it did not help. When being tested, my mind was totally a mass:( I can only think of this much. And do believe TSE is just a test, it is not perfect. But you sure can gain a lot while preparing it and speaking, you can benefit much. When you are in the United States, it is really a difficult endeavor. I hated Chinese in my high school, but I needed a high score on it, so I worked hard. Then I began to like it:), and I got an extremely high score. So, if you think TSE is important for you, you really should put some effort onto it, and I wish you will succeed. 推荐给好友  打印本页
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