TOEFL Speaking Section Tips
TOEFL
Talk to ExpertTOEFL Speaking Tips: Students wanting to study abroad are required to appear for their Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam to be able to prove their English language proficiency. Universities/colleges abroad where English is the first language of communication require students to take an English proficiency exam to be able to prove their English language skills. This is important because international students should not lack performance because of a language barrier.
Conducted by ETS, TOEFL is held across the year in several TOEFL Test Centres across the length and breadth of the country. Candidates should book their TOEFL Slot once they are actually prepared for the exam. The TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) examines the candidates’ proficiency in reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in the English medium.
Preparation Tips for TOEFL: For candidates to be able to ace the TOEFL Speaking Section they would be required to understand the TOEFL Exam Pattern for this particular section. Candidates would be given 20 minutes for this particular section and they would be required to complete six tasks in total. There would be no actual person who would be conducting this session. Candidates would be required to speak into a microphone while the questions would be pre-recorded conversations played back to the candidate
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TOEFL Speaking Tips
This particular section tests the candidate's ability to speak effectively in an academic setting. Candidates would be graded on the delivery of the answer, ability to speak clearly and coherently and above all vocabulary and grammar. This section contains three different types of TOEFL Speaking questions and candidates are required to solve two tasks each from this.
Tasks 1 and 2
The first two tasks would require students to speak about their ideas, opinions, and experiences. They would be given 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to speak on the same. Hence, it is important for the candidate to learn to speak with very little preparation. Candidates should remember that it is not always possible to be prepared in under 15 seconds. Hence the candidate should keep the topic in mind and let the details flow (improvise).
TOEFL Speaking Tips
At times it is always advisable to trust your gut instincts more than anything. A lot of times students could run out of content before the time is up. Candidates can then discuss things that may or may not be true. The exam does not require you to only state facts. Hence, candidates could talk fantasy, as long as it is believable and you are speaking correctly you should not stop till the time is up.
Tasks 3 and 4
The other four tasks are integrated tasks that require students to use more than one skill to be able to answer the questions successfully. For the third and fourth tasks candidates would be required to read a passage for 45 seconds then listen to a short lecture for about a minute and then would be given 45 seconds to prepare and then given 60 seconds to speak for the same.
TOEFL Speaking Guidelines
The key to crack this particular section would be to take notes of the important things during the reading of the passage and listening to the audio clip. A lot of times, candidates find this section tricky because candidates are required to read, listen and then speak in this section.
As a rule of thumb candidates should keep in mind the difference in opinion in the passage they read and the audio they listen to. The difference could be a part of the response. To be able to maximize this section, candidates are required to back up their statements along with evidence from the audio clip or the passage for a good response.
Tasks 5 and 6
The final two TOEFL speaking tasks require students to listen then speak. For these two tasks, you’ll first listen to a short audio clip. You’ll then have 20 seconds to prepare, and you’ll need to speak for 60 seconds.
TOEFL Speaking Prep Tips
Similar to the exercise above, candidates are advised to listen carefully to the audio and jot down important aspects of the conversation, which they would use later on for their response. Candidates should only note the important pointers as writing all the information down would be time-consuming.
Practice Practice Practice
Candidates are required to solve as many TOEFL test papers as possible. Solving as many question papers and sample papers are only going to help candidates towards achieving a common goal of achieving a good TOEFL Score. Candidates can check out our TOEFL sample questions and also can check out our TOEFL Preparation tips to be able to practice for their exams. Candidates can also try out the official TOEFL sample papers on the official website.
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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
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