Toward Speaking Excellence: The Michigan Guide to Maximizing Your Performance on the TSE (R) Test and SPEAK (R) Test (Paperback)

by Dean Steven Papajohn (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Toward Speaking Excellence presents solid communication techniques and test strategies, as well as practice exercises and questions, for students preparing to take the TSE or SPEAK tests. Users of this text will learn how the exams are rated, see examples of responses at varying score levels, and discover advice for responding to each of the various question formats. Each unit dissects various exam questions and demonstrates how effective responses are constructed. Practice exercises help students apply what they are learning. Practice questions similar to those found on actual tests - including sample maps, picture sequences, graphs, and announcements - provide realistic test preparation for students. Complete practice tests appear in the appendix.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: University of Michigan Press/ESL (November 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0472085247
• ISBN-13: 978-0472085248
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #621,853 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very helpful book, but the format of the TSE has changed!, February 11, 2003

By	lindyjulie (Evanston, IL) - See all my reviews

Please note, in September 2003, the Educational Testing Service changed the format of the TSE. Six of the questions included in this book are no longer used on the TSE, and three new questions have been added. This is still a very valuable book to use when preparing for SPEAK test, as that test has not yet changed, but if you are preparing for the TSE, make sure you visit the ETS website to learn about the new changes! And there is now a second edition of this book that will prepare you for the new version of the TSE.

This is the first edition of the only book I am aware of that prepares students for the TSE and SPEAK tests. It is used at my university in test preparation workshops and ESL classes.

The book explains how the test is scored and what the rating criteria are. I believe this is very helpful, as many students worry that their answers must be linguistically perfect to get a good score. It also provides descriptions of each question type, time limits, and strategies to use for answering questions well.

The book includes practice questions that students can use to get familiar with the format of the test. This is very important, because one of the most difficult things about taking the test is getting used to the format and kind of questions asked. Once you are comfortable with answering these kinds of questions, you can let your true speaking skills show.

The book is not perfect. Some of the questions are better written than others, and there are a few typos. However, for the price, this is a very useful book. I agree with the last reviewer that it is important to get feedback from a native speaker as much as possible when using this book or any other test preparation book.

31 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth the money, July 27, 2000

By A Customer

I am the director of an ESL program at a major university, and I recommend this book to all the students who ask me for help on the TSE or SPEAK tests. We use it as a required text in our immersion program for incoming students as well. I believe it is the best book currently available for TSE prep. To get the most value from the book, I recommend that you find a native speaker to give you feedback on some of the exercises. Well worth the investment.

5.0 out of 5 stars Test of Spoke English, June 9, 2007

By	Hearts2k "Hearts2k" (New Hampshire) - See all my reviews

As an ESL instructor, I teach people who need to pass a test of spoken English. This is required in many states for those in medical fields as well as other areas where proper pronuciation is essential. Please note that the TSE (Test of Spoken English) for which this book was designed has since changed to a different format but this book is still helpful. In addition, many students from many countries are very familiar with this book and have it in their own languages, so this is something with which they are familiar. There are very few good TSE books available, so this is a great choice. Please note that this is NOT the book to buy for TOEFL.