Teacher's opinion about TOELF?

Question

I'd like to hear a teacher's opinion about the validy of TOEFL. (other opinions not excluded either)

How do you see TOEFL?
Does it cover all the essential?
Do the results tell enough of one's ability to use academic English efficent in studying field?
Do you think there's some other way to tell better about the skills of a student?
What do the scores tell?
Can the student rely on the received scores?

Well, I'm also having difficulties in comparing TOEFL scores by countries, but I don't seem to find any kind of information. Nor do I find much about the average scores in general.
Hints?

Sorry if this is the wrong place for such questioning. Nearing TOEFL test seems to awake the curiosity and all the doubts about studying in a foreign language.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Hi. I teach TOEFL preparation, and many of my students take the test.

How do you see TOEFL?-- I see it as a necessity for many non-English-speaking students who wish to attend American univeristies.
Does it cover all the essential?-- No language aptitude tests cover all the essentials.

Do the results tell enough of one's ability to use academic English efficent in studying field? -- Not necessarily; it is just a hint of capability.
Do you think there's some other way to tell better about the skills of a student?-- Long in-depth personal interviews together with a reading test would be better.
What do the scores tell? -- They tell whether the test-taker has test-taking skills and some English training.

Can the student rely on the received scores?-- Test results are more consistent at lower levels; higher level scores for a single test-taker tend to fluctuate with the specific reading passage topics.

Well, I'm also having difficulties in comparing TOEFL scores by countries, but I don't seem to find any kind of information. Nor do I find much about the average scores in general.-- It is difficult to compare between countries because the sorts of ways in which English is learnt vary so widely. In Japan, the grammar is learnt very well in secondary school but learners have virtually no opportunities for communication. In other countries, English is learnt more from tourists and on the street. I doubt an 'average score' would tell us much of value.
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Teacher's opinion about TOELF?

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