OUR STRENGTHS
Many English schools exist in Chişinău. Some of them
are well known in the city as a result of their incessant
aggressive advertising campaigns. They boast of their high
enrollments and earnings. According to an old proverb, the big
fish eat up the small... This is not our case! You may ask why
people choose Terra Nova... There are many great reasons to
entrust our school with your TOEFL iBT preparation. Our students
usually give the following cogent reasons for having enrolled in
our school to prepare for the TOEFL iBT with us!
ENGLISH-ONLY ENVIRONMENT
At Terra Nova, we have a strict English-only policy. While our
students are in class or participate in school activities or
events, they must speak English and ONLY English. Our strict
English-ONLY policy promotes a serious studying atmosphere,
facilitates learning test-taking strategies, and accelerates the
process of acquiring advanced English language skills.
INSTRUCTOR WITH SUBSTANTIAL AMERICAN
EXPERIENCE
An ideal TOEFL instructor must have earned a degree from a famous
American university, must have lived and worked in the United
States for at least several years, must be both a linguist and a
scientist as well as a psychologist. Our TOEFL instructor has
native English speaker competence. He has substantial American
experience, which is extremely important to any good TOEFL
instructor. In 1996, he received a research assistantship to be
able to pursue his graduate studies at Purdue University in West
Lafayette, IN, USA. In the summer of 1997, while a student at
Purdue, he interned at the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Northwest
Research Station, Portland, OR, USA. In May 1998, he successfully
completed his graduate program and got his master's degree from
Purdue's Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. In
August-December 2001, he did research on natural resource
management, policy, and conservation issues, conducted research
trips to Hawaii, Colorado, and Ohio, and attended classes at the
Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management of
the College of Natural Resources at the University of California
at Berkeley, CA, USA. Since then, he has participated in a number
of programs and projects sponsored by the Bureau of Educational
and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State. He
regularly exchanges experience with American ESL and TOEFL
instructors teaching students whose native language is not
English. Thus, during his visit to the United States in the
summer of 2008, he met with ESL and TOEFL instructors in Hawaii,
Florida, and NYC. He also attended a seminar organized by ETS
(Educational Testing Service). During his trip to the United
States in the summer of 2010, he met with ESL and TOEFL
instructors in Indiana, Ohio, and New York, and with professors
and admissions officers from Purdue University (West Lafayette,
Indiana). In August 2012, he met with ESL teachers in
Massachusetts and Georgia. Between June 1 and July 31, 2012, he volunteered at
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, located in the U.S. State of
Hawai'i on the island of Hawai'i, working with the Division of
Interpretation in the Kilauea Visitor Center and the Thomas A.
Jaggar Museum, orienting visitors to the park and its resources,
presenting talks, and leading guided hikes for visitors along
some of the park's main trails. Our TOEFL instructor has
extensive English teaching experience. Since 1998, he has been
preparing students of different ages and cultural and linguistic
backgrounds for taking the TOEFL. Enthusiastic and creative, he
will help you feel comfortable speaking English!
SMALL AND INTIMATE SCHOOL
While almost all English schools in Chişinău are extremely
versatile and teach everybody, from beginners to advanced
students, and everything, from English for Kindergarten Children
to Business English, Terra Nova is a highly specialized
educational institution. Our focusing on teaching only one
course, TOEFL Preparation, guarantees our TOEFL instructor's
professionalism, which is the most important school variable
affecting student achievement. Another significant benefit of
studying in a small and intimate school is that all our students
are treated as individuals. Here, you will not be lost in the
crowd. Terra Nova is a school where the TOEFL instructor knows
YOU! A small school means more individual attention and a great
environment in which to prepare for the TOEFL iBT. You are not
just a number to us!
REDUCED CLASS SIZE
In spite of the fact that the admission process at Terra Nova is
rigorous and highly competitive, we have a relatively low
student-teacher ratio, which does not exceed 11 students per
class. Since English is learned with practice, it is only natural
that the smaller the classes are, the more rapidly your language
abilities will improve. Likewise, for fruitful TOEFL iBT
preparation, it is very important that the class size be as small
as possible.
WELL-EQUIPPED AND COMFORTABLE
CLASSROOM
We have a well-equipped classroom, which is crucial for efficient
TOEFL iBT preparation. The room is fully air-conditioned. There
is always potable water (cold and hot) in the office, and so are
complimentary Greenfield tea and Roshen candy. We make every
effort to create a homey atmosphere in our school, which, we
believe, is one of the keys to fruitful acquisition of advanced
English language skills and efficient TOEFL iBT preparation.
UNIQUE PROGRAM
Our TOEFL iBT preparation course is designed specifically for
non-native English speakers and offers you a comfortable and
challenging study environment. This unique study program focuses
on the skills that you need to score well on the TOEFL iBT. It
helps the students understand academic English better, perfect
their grammar- and style-related accuracy, significantly enrich
their TOEFL iBT vocabulary, polish up their listening and
speaking skills, improve their reading speed and comprehension,
develop their TOEFL iBT essay writing skills, learn test-taking
skills and strategies, and increase their knowledge of the United
States. In other words, our unique TOEFL iBT preparation program
is an amalgam of TOEFL iBT preparation, advanced English language
skills acquisition, and American studies.
TOEFL iBT ESSAY CHECKING
Believe it or not, Terra Nova is the only place in
Chişinău where students' essays are regularly checked.
Our students can bring their essays for checking every Saturday.
Those students who work on Saturdays or
just cannot come to our office on Saturday for any other reason
can send their essays by electronic mail.
AUDIO AND VIDEO MATERIALS
Terra Nova has an excellent library of audio and video materials,
including an impressive collection of movies (in English, with
English subtitles). The movies and other audio and video
materials can be copied for non-profit educational purposes only.
Our students can copy one or two movies at a time onto their USB
flash drives or DVD disks. We do not charge our students for
copying audio and video materials.
BOOKS AND PERIODICALS
Terra Nova has a small library of books and periodicals. All our
students can check out one or two books at a time. Most books
have a two-week lending (circulation) period and may be renewed
for an additional one week. Reference books (such as
encyclopedias or dictionaries) circulate overnight only. They may
be picked up at the end of the day and returned the next morning
before the classes begin. Magazines circulate for one week. We do
not charge our students for borrowing books and periodicals.
TOEFL-RELATED COMPUTER
PROGRAMS
Terra Nova boasts a comprehensive collection of TOEFL-related
computer programs. The TOEFL-related computer programs can be
copied for non-profit educational purposes only. Our students can
copy only one computer program at a time onto their USB flash
drives or DVD disks. We do not charge our students for copying
TOEFL-related computer programs.
CLASSWORK WITH MODEL TOEFL iBT
TESTS
Practicing model TOEFL iBT tests borrowed from Barron's TOEFL
iBT, Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL iBT, McGraw-Hill's TOEFL
iBT (The Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT), Longman Preparation
Course for the TOEFL iBT, Delta's Key to the TOEFL iBT,
Princeton's Cracking the TOEFL iBT, Kaplan's TOEFL iBT, and other
excellent TOEFL iBT preparation guides is crucial for success on
the actual TOEFL iBT. During each step in your TOEFL iBT
preparation course, our TOEFL instructor will familiarize you
with the TOEFL iBT structure, format, and test content. You will
take realistic practice tests with actual TOEFL iBT questions to
measure your progress. You will explore each question type in
detail and learn critical test taking strategies, which will help
you "crack" the TOEFL iBT code. Our single goal is to make you an
expert in the TOEFL iBT and to give you the confidence and skills
you need to achieve your target score.
ADMINISTRATION OF TOEFL iBT
SIMULATIONS
At the end of each semester, our TOEFL instructor administers
three TOEFL iBT simulations, which closely resemble the actual
TOEFL iBT, in order to evaluate the overall progress of the
students. By taking our TOEFL iBT simulations, our students can
experience the real TOEFL iBT atmosphere, evaluate their
strengths and weaknesses, and estimate the level of their
preparedness for taking the actual TOEFL iBT. All our students
are encouraged to participate in the TOEFL iBT simulations before
taking the actual TOEFL iBT. Upon passing the TOEFL iBT
simulations successfully (with a total TOEFL score exceeding
100), Terra Nova issues a document certifying the completion of
the TOEFL Preparation course by the student. The certificate is
signed by the director of the center and bears the official
stamp, contact information, and the logo of Terra Nova.
24/7 CONSULTATIONS
All our students have the right to out-of-class consultations
with the TOEFL instructor. The day assigned for counseling
sessions is Saturday. Our students can
also set up an appointment to talk to the TOEFL instructor on
weekdays. Our TOEFL instructor will find time for one-to-one
contact with each of our students.
LOWEST TUITION FEES IN
CHIŞINĂU
It is one of the policies of Terra Nova to keep our tuition fees
at the lowest level in Chişinău. Terra Nova offers the
highest quality private instruction at less than the cost of a
large, impersonal group class at other TOEFL preparation
providers. Why spend more on a program that doesn't accommodate
your busy schedule or take account of your individual needs? Our
TOEFL preparation program provides our students with the highest
quality education at the lowest cost. Moreover, our students do
not need to pay the tuition fees prior to or at the time of their
enrollment. We give our students 2 weeks to decide if they want
to take our TOEFL Preparation course or not.
EXCELLENT LOCATION
Terra Nova is located in the very heart of Rîşcani
Sector, Chişinău, at the intersection of Moscova
Boulevard and Miron Costin Street. Our close neighbors are the
largest Rîşcani branch of Agroindbank,
Rîşcani Sector Civil Registration Office, Marks (a
shopping center), Giant (a bicycle retail and service store),
Jardi (a convenience store), Linella (a convenience store), Jar
Pizza (a fast-food restaurant), La Plăcinte (a fast-food
restaurant), and Andy's Pizza (a fast-food restaurant). The
Soviet-Afghan War Memorial is located right across Moscova
Boulevard. A McDonald's restaurant and a Green Hills supermarket
are situated only one block from the center. Shopping...
Restaurants... The best of old and new Chişinău is
within walking distance! Trackless trolley, bus, and minibus
lines are minutes away. We are near everything!
ASSISTANCE WITH TOEFL iBT
REGISTRATION
Registering for the TOEFL iBT is not really difficult. The
official TOEFL iBT website provides online registration, which is
the easiest way to register, and payment by credit/debit card
(VISA, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, or Discover cards),
which is the easiest method of payment for the test. If you want
to avoid potential registration problems and if you do not have
one of the aforementioned credit/debit cards, Terra Nova can
register you for the TOEFL iBT for a small additional fee of U.S.
$10.
ASSISTANCE WITH ADMISSION TO U.S.
COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
Every day our students ask us tens of questions about admission
to U.S. colleges and universities: "What is the structure of U.S.
higher education?", "What is the difference between a college and
a university? What is a community college?", "Where can I find a
searchable list of United States institutions of higher
education?", "What is the difference between undergraduate and
graduate degrees?", "How many universities should I apply to?",
"Which colleges and universities are the best? Is there a way to
tell?", "What are the requirements for admission to U.S. colleges
and universities?", "What documents must I submit for
admission?", "Which standardized tests will I be required to
take?", "When are the university application deadlines?", "How
much does it cost to study in the U.S.?", "Is it possible to
study in the U.S. free of charge?", "What type of visa do I need
to become an academic student in the United States?", etc. Our
TOEFL instructor will provide you with information about applying
to U.S. colleges and universities, answer all of your questions
about admission, and give you valuable recommendations on your
application documents, including your CV, transcripts, cover or
motivation letters, essays, recommendation letters, etc.
EXPOSURE TO AMERICAN CULTURE AND
CUSTOMS
While preparing for the TOEFL iBT, which is an American English
test, our students explore American history, geography, politics
and government, health care, education, legal rights and
responsibilities, consumer behavior, social customs and values,
etc. Our course books are full of interesting facts about many
different facets of living in the U.S. Sometimes the TOEFL
instructor invites guest speakers from the U.S. and other
English-speaking countries. Our TOEFL Preparation course helps
our students understand American life and Americans better and
avoid many cultural problems while in the U.S.
TRADITION
Preparing students for taking the TOEFL since 1998, we have
earned the confidence of our students and our community over the
years. Here yesterday and today, we will be here tomorrow as
well. Prepare for the TOEFL iBT and study advanced English with
Terra Nova - a name you can trust!
BEST VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY
We encourage you to compare us with higher-priced English schools
in Chişinău offering TOEFL preparation classes. With
our small classes, comprehensive TOEFL iBT preparation program,
engaging and experienced TOEFL instructor, convenient location,
and lowest tuition fees in Chişinău, you will find that
choosing Terra Nova adds up to a superb value!
WE ARE NOT AFRAID OF
COMPETITION!