8 Private Feedback Classes for Measurable Progress Framework Speaking

You get both a series of 8 private 20-minute Zoom “classes” with me and you get email support (with ongoing identification of fossilized errors) between the classes. Here’s how it works…

 

The General Focus

For each of the 8 classes, you finish certain preparation activities from The Measurable Progress Framework for Speaking e-course.

I don’t give presentations or lectures during those 8 classes. The goal is to review and discuss your completed assignments. There’s nothing to discuss until you make your best attempt to complete the assignments. So, if you don’t complete them, we postpone… because the focus of our time together is to discuss your assignments.

 

The Agenda

The first half of our schedule is Learning Opportunities for Ideal Responses.

The second half of our schedule is Testing Opportunities which are increasingly realistic test simulations and personalized combinations of study protocols to deal with fossilized errors in grammar, vocabulary or pronunciation.

During the first half (Classes 1, 2, 3 and 4), you are getting feedback on Ideal Responses (“ideal transcripts”) for Task 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively.  Class 1 is about Ideal Task 1 responses. Class 2 is about Ideal Task 2 responses, and so on. After each class, you submit Ideal Responses to SpeechRater and you share them with me via email. I respond with comments and feedback, which is essential because we are continuously monitoring your pronunciation, rhythm, intonation as well as your speaking speed and fluency.

Because of those first four classes, you’re put in the strongest position to succeed in the second half…

During the second half (Classes 5, 6, 7 and 8), you are submitting entire tests that you record spontaneously in SpeechRater (using “test mode” or doing “test simulations”). In class, we combine SpeechRater feedback with my Human estimates and calculate your scores. In other words, each class, you get my feedback on Task 1, 2, 3 and 4 and what activities are required in order to keep seeing improvement.

During those last 4 classes, your growth is happening because you’re taking the initiative during your self-study time to complete the customized homework I put on your calendar. Before each of these last 4 classes, you will probably feel it’s necessary to self-study for 7 to 10 days (per my recommendations and customized assignments I put on your calendar).

 

The Schedule

Former students finished in 9 to 18 weeks, depending on their weekly time commitment.

The schedule can be adjusted and customized to you. The recommended schedule is once or twice every week for Classes 1 through 4, and then once every 2 or 3 weeks for Classes 5 through 8.

There’s no reason to meet if you didn’t do the work, so we postpone if you’re sick, travelling, etc.

 

When to Schedule for TOEFL iBT; Refunds on Unused Classes

In order for you to avoid wasting money on premature exam registration (and to avoid the disappointment and discouragement which many students feel as a result of seeing low scores), I strongly recommend that you coordinate and discuss your TOEFL registration schedule with me.

Statistically, the worst (most wasteful) time to schedule your test is anytime during Classes 1-4, because that is when we’re doing Learning Opportunities on Ideal Responses. It is highly statistically improbable that you will have automatic habits so early on.

Generally speaking, the best time to schedule a real TOEFL test is sometime between Class 5 and 8—but I urge you to wait to register until after we gather proof that you’re getting the score in Testing Opportunities and “test simulations.”

As soon as I think you’re ready to see results at the real test, I’ll notify you. This might happen as early as Class 5, or as late as Class 8. Your rate of progress depends on many factors which are beyond my control.

If I see that you’re ready to take a real test and see results sooner than Class 8, I will not create artificial delays for your success… but there’s no refund if I do my job facilitating your results in fewer than 8 classes. 

 

Your Time Commitment

No joke. No exaggeration. You need to have 10-15 hours per week to study and complete the assignments and homework that I give you. For the most part, you have complete control over which days you study, and which times of day.

I strongly encourage you to create 3-4 hours of overlap in your self-study schedule when you are available to study at your computer during my work day. Why? Because you’ll be submitting homework activities between classes. You’ll have questions between classes.  I’m there for you, via email, and I’ll write back to you. We can finish entire conversations in the same day, and you have the information you need to continue studying confidently.

Warning ⚠️ If you never have any overlap in your self-study schedule (except for our 20-minute classes), you will make slower progress because our email communication will be out of sync and there will be great much greater delays… during which time, both of us forget the priorities.

 

Your Zoom Recordings

We will meet in a Zoom Room. We will look at your particular Speaking task assignment on Google Docs.

Your computer must be able to make a recording in Zoom.

✅ Regular PC computers and Apple computers are able to make Zoom recordings.

❌ Phones, tablets and Google Chromebooks do not have this recording capacity in Zoom and you will not be able to review properly between Classes 4 and 8 if you don’t have the video recordings.

 

Days and Times When We Meet or Communicate

You will choose a 20-minute slot with me (ideally the same every week for ease and consistency).

I am available Monday through Friday, generally from 8:30 AM to 3:30 or 4 PM California (Pacific Standard Time).

I am not available on Saturdays or Sundays.

 

Required Companion Elements

You will need the following 3 things:

#1 – Access to the e-course, The Measurable Progress Framework for Speaking. This is required so that you can do the homework and preparation and avoid paying me double in classes to explain what I already explain in that e-course.

#2 – SpeechRater credits x 20-40.  After you receive feedback from me, you will use SpeechRater for feedback on particular activities. The absolute bare minimum number of SpeechRater credits you need is 20… but students who tend to get faster results typically use 30-40 credits.

#3 –  Memory Pouches and Understanding How to Fix Fossilized Errors. In order to benefit from my feedback via email and Google Doc (like for example if I listen to your responses and I notice random errors with pronunciation, vocabulary or grammar, I’ll send you an email with the correction). If you did not already complete the UHFFE program, then you are not able to confidently or accurately make the kinds of flashcards which fix your fossilized errors with grammar, vocabulary or pronunciation OR use Memory Pouches…


The Cost

If you need a way to break this total into 2 or 3 smaller monthly payments, let me know and we’ll work something out 🙂

$1,553.00

Free 45-minute Lesson for TOEFL Speaking

Discover which popular Task 1 Introduction sentence is a “score-killer” and the “perfect” alternative for rapidly earning points and contributing to a high score like 26

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