5 Ways to Prepare for the TOEFL iBT Speaking Test
TOEFL
Talk to ExpertTOEFL Speaking Tips: The TOEFL Speaking Section measures the candidates’ English speaking ability effectively in an academic environment. The tasks in this section resemble the real-life situations that students run into. In this particular TOEFL iBT Speaking Section, students will be required to speak on an assortment of topics that draw on academic content, campus-based situations, and personal experience.
The total duration of the Speaking section is approximately 20 minutes long and test-takers are required to answer six questions. The Speaking Section of the TOEFL iBT is comprised of Independent Speaking Tasks and Integrated Speaking Tasks.
Related Reads
- Independent Speaking Tasks: the first two questions belong to this section, as it requires the student to draw entirely from their own ideas, opinions, and experiences when they respond.
- Integrated Speaking Tasks: the remaining four questions are categorized under the Integrated Speaking Task and they require the student to integrate their English-language skills—listening and speaking, or listening, reading and speaking—just as they converse during class and outside the classroom.
TOEFL Speaking Tips 2022
In this section, we are going to be talking about the top TOEFL Speaking Tips for students looking to ace their TOEFL exam
- SPEAK English
- Record yourself
- Extempore Speaking
- Know your Grammar
- Listen to audiobooks and podcasts
Let us understand the following TOEFL speaking section tips in detail.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
Let the majority of your conversation be in English
If the candidate is looking to appear for an English-speaking test. It is important that the candidate speaks in English. Candidates are encouraged to develop friendships with people who want to speak English. This way, they can help each other out and improve their English by only speaking the language majority of the time.
Record yourself
Candidates can try this simple exercise at home. They should read a paragraph from an academic course book, and practice summarizing the paragraph aloud. Practice several times, and then record your summary. Listen to your summary again a week later. Transcribe what you said, and review your mistakes. You could also take the help of a teacher to give you feedback on your recording.
Extempore Speaking
Extempore speaking is when you are required to speak on a topic on the spot. Candidates could pick up any topic, allow themselves 20 seconds to prepare and then speak on the topic for a minute. The whole exercise should be recorded. this way, the candidate would be able to measure his speaking progress. Extempore speaking helps candidates think on the spot and speak. The topics for the extempore could be anything ranging from family, hobbies and friends to school, cities and countries. You could amp up your training by asking a professional to listen to you and suggest ways to improve.
Know your Grammer
Grammar is the essence of the English language. If your grammar is weak, it would be difficult for you to form sentences, speak or do anything with English. Hence, it is important for candidates to have their grammar in place. Candidates are advised to pay attention to their use of the past tense, study pronunciation, stress and intonation while speaking.
Listen to audiobooks and podcasts
Technology has connected the East with the West. Similarly, candidates can listen to English audiobooks and podcasts over the Internet and practice their English speaking skills. TOEFL aspirants can sign up for an audiobook subscription service or look for free audiobook samples online for this exercise. Through the help of audiobooks and podcasts candidates can even practice speaking about everyday issues relevant to students' lives.
Also, Read
TOEFL Speaking Strategies
TOEFL iBT speaking tips: Candidates looking to perform well in their TOEFL iBT are required to try the following activities to build the skills they would require for the Independent Speaking tasks:
- Students could start by making a list of topics that are familiar to them and practise speaking about them. The topics can include both academic and non-academic topics.
- As part of a self-exercise, candidates can collect pictures from magazines and newspapers and then describe the same in under one minute. Candidates could further increase the difficulty of the exercise, by describing the same thing multiple times, using different adjectives and adding details.
- Candidates could also pick up opinion pieces and state an opinion or a preference for or against the topic and present clear, detailed reasons for their choices. In this exercise, candidates should use connecting words or phrases to help explain their opinion.
- Students could also self-evaluate their TOEFL iBT Speaking Skills by simply thinking about activities related to student life and writing reasons to explain their preferences for the same and speaking on this for one minute.
- Candidates can also develop the habit of reading newspapers and articles online and expressing their opinions on current affairs to their friends.
Candidates should realize that all the exercises mentioned above will further their goal of performing well in their TOEFL iBT Speaking Section.
Wishing all TOEFL test takers, All the Best!
Also, Read
Q: How can I prepare for TOEFL at home?
One searching for TOEFL preparation startegy without taking help of any coachings.
Self-Study Resources: Utilize online platform like ETS, and practice questions and study materials.
Listening Practice: Listen to English podcasts, lectures, and audiobooks to improve comprehension.
Reading Practice: Read academic articles or textbooks to familiarize yourself with academic vocabulary and structure.
Speaking Practice: Record yourself speaking on various topics and review your pronunciation and fluency.
Writing Practice: Write essays and seek feedback form any experts.
Q: How long should I study for the TOEFL?
The ideal duration depends on the TOEFL test taker's English proficiency and target score. Generally, dedicating 3-6 months with consistent practice sessions should yield the desired TOEFL scores. TOEFL test takers are further advised to analyze their practice test scores and identify areas needing improvement to tailor their study plan.
Q: Can I pass TOEFL online?
There is no such thing as failing or passing the TOEFL exam. The TOEFL exam is held online at a test centre near you and is also being conducted in the safety of your home via the online method. Candidates who have prepared for the TOEFL would qualify for the exam. Candidates should note that higher TOEFL scores would automatically increase their chances of securing a seat in the university and also make them a front runner for any scholarships being offered by the university. A low TOEFL score would require the student to re-take the exam to improve his/her performance.
Q: Is the TOEFL difficult for Indian students?
Yes, the TOEFL exam is relatively difficult than other English tests. However, the difficulty is subjective and depends on your current English proficiency level and preparation. While challenges like vocabulary gaps and adapting to the computer format (for the iBT) are common, dedicated preparation can help Indian students excel. Utilize official ETS resources like practice tests and study guides, supplement with free online tools and consider coaching classes if needed. Remember, consistent practice and addressing specific weaknesses are key to success.
Q: What is the hardest part of the TOEFL test?
The hardest part of the TOEFL test often depends on individual strengths and weaknesses. However, many test-takers find the speaking and writing sections to be the most challenging, as they require both language proficiency and critical thinking skills.
There are two tasks in the TOEFL writing section; one of them requires test takers to read a short passage, listen to a short lecture and finally, write your understanding of both. The other task requires test takers to state and support an opinion in a classroom discussion.
Q: Should students prepare for TOEFL on their own or seek professional guidance?
This is entirely at the discretion of the candidate. While professional help would definitely give you an added advantage, studying on your own would give you confidence like no other. Candidates studying on their own are advised to check out our preparation guide or visit the official website to learn about the at-home preparation strategy to score well in their next TOEFL exam. Candidates seeking professional help can check out the top TOEFL Coaching Centers in India.
Q: What is a Good TOEFL Score?
TOEFL Scores: There are no good or bad scores when appearing for the TOEFL test. Candidates would be required to meet the TOEFL score decided by the universities. anything above would increase their chances of getting admission into the university and any score below the range could serve as a roadblock in the admission process.
However, to make your test experience more personal and for you to understand your score better ETS has provided 4 to 5 proficiency levels for each skill. So where your score falls within that range tells you your proficiency for that skill. This will give you a fair idea about your performance, your strengths, sections that need improvement, and so on. Test takers can look at the table below to understand their TOEFL iBT Scores better.
Skill/ Score Range | Level* |
|---|---|
Reading Score Range 0–30 | Advanced (24–30) |
Listening Score Range 0–30 | Advanced (22–30) |
Speaking Score Range 0–30 | Advanced (25–30) |
Writing Score Range 0–30 | Advanced (24–30) |
Total Score | These are added together for a total score of 0–120. |
Q: Why take the TOEFL Exam?
Accepted in over 11,000 universities and institutions worldwide, including universities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom (UK), United States (US), and across Europe and Asia, TOEFL is one of the most preferred English-language tests for students wanting to study abroad. The TOEFL test is primarily to understand and grade the candidates reading, writing, speaking, and listening abilities in the English language.
Students wanting to study abroad and opting for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) comes with many benefits. TOEFL is a preferred exam among students who want to pursue higher education abroad, as more TOEFL scores are sent to universities in the United States and Canada than all other English-language tests combined. Similarly, TOEFL is a preferred English test among countries as more TOEFL scores are sent to German, French, US, and Canadian universities than other English tests. ETS – the conducting body of the TOEFL also guarantees students a fair and unbiased process of score reporting, making the test more authentic.
- Universities in UK175 Universities
- Universities in USA1036 Universities
- Universities in Canada174 Universities
- Universities in Australia122 Universities
- Universities in Ireland33 Universities
- Universities in New Zealand70 Universities
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae