toefl speaking

TOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language

That’s what I call self-confidence…

Main Features It tests all four language skills that are important for

effective communication: speaking, listening, reading and writing

Some tasks require combinations of more than one skill

Read, listen and then speak in response to a question Listen and then speak in response to a question Read, listen and then write in response to a question

Format• Reading: 3-4 passages,12-14 questions each (60 or 80 minutes) • Listening: 4-6 lectures, 6 questions each 2-3 conversations, 5 questions each (60-90 minutes) Break: 10 minutes

• Speaking: 6 tasks: 2 independent and 4 integrated (20 minutes)

• Writing: 1 integrated task (20 minutes) 1 independent task (30 minutes)

Total time: about 4 hours

Speaking for TOEFL IBTWhat is known

You must speak in front of a blank screen, wearing headphones and a microphone;

You are not alone in the exam room.

Your speaking section is not interactive, you will have to provide spontaneous “monologues” in response to some questions;

What is less known

Technology is tested before you start the test by the centre’s administrators; you are assisted at all times for all the problems that may occur will be solved by them.

You will share the room with 4-15 other candidates, so you might be speaking along with them, at the same time.

Speaking (~20 min)

Various topics:• Personal experience• Campus based situations• Academic type content material How many questions?

• 6 questions: 2 independent, 4 integrated• Response time: 45-60 sec

Preparation time:15-30 sec

A closer look at the speaking section Scoring: TOEFL is scored from 0 to 120, equally sharing

these points between the 4 sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing; so, each section will receive a score from 0-30 points.

Depending on your level of English, you will be given points up to a maximum of 30.

TIP: Some universities will ask for a certain score in the speaking section. For example, they want a score of 85 points per total, but a score of 22 out of 30 for Speaking. So, check the score on the university’s website.

Scoring Criteriao DELIVERY

how clear your speech is – good pronunciation, natural pacing

o LANGUAGE USE how effectively you use grammar and vocabulary

o TOPIC DEVELOPMENT how fully and coherently you present your ideas clear and easy to follow

Do I have to aim at perfection to get 30 points? No, but be as close as possible.

Practical advice Be familiar with the format, so you will not be taken

by surprise. Practice before the test day, record your voice in

order to find the best pace that may cover all the 45 or 60 seconds in which you have to speak.

Speak loud enough and pause for 2 or 3 seconds before you start speaking, since the first words, the most important, may have a delay in recording.

Do not rely on colloquial language from media! It is an academic test, so be more formal than usual.

6 Question Types:independent and integrated.

Independent questions (your own opinion) - you may have to present an opinion or describe

something important for you. The answers are based on your knowledge and experience, and include familiar

topics (family, education, music, literature)

Integrated questions (reproducing materials given) - you may have to summarize someone else’s

position or explain facts presented in lectures or conversations.

Questions Overview Independent tasks Free-choice tasks Paired-choice tasks Integrated tasks (reading and listening) Campus Academic Integrated tasks (listening) Campus Academic

Independent – question 1free choice

Your screen will show this:

Describe a place you go to very often. Include reasons and details to support your response.

Preparation time: 15 seconds Response time: 45 seconds


What you should quickly see is this:

Describe a place you go to very often. Include reasons and details to support your response.


Independent – question 1free choiceCommon tasks: reasons, examples and details

(any combinations)

Reasons - you must include the words because, due to, the reason is etc.

Examples - you must include the words for example,

for instance

Details – give as many details as possible; they will provide the material you need in order to fill up the 45 seconds

Independent – question 1free choice What to do in 15 seconds?Notes: Introduction: My favorite place is ….Supporting idea 1: Firstly, I go there because…

(factual information)Supporting idea 2: Secondly, I go there

because (emotional reasons)Conclusion: These are the reasons why I go

there every year/month etc.

Independent – question 1free choice Please consider that: Introduction is easy to produce, since it is

your opinion. Conclusion will symmetrically round off your

answer and it is placed at the end, doing nothing but rephrasing the introduction, so your notes will become…


Introduction: Constanta (the city)Supporting idea 1: close to homeSupporting idea 2: sea, summer breezeConclusion: …..

These are more likely to be written down in 15 seconds. But you know the steps in producing the answer, so …

Independent – question 1free choiceYour notes become:

I: C-ta S 1: closeS 2: sea, summer breezeC: ….. These notes take 6 seconds to be written

down on the paper, so you have about 9 seconds to THINK.

Skills that are tested in the speaking section Overall topic statement (your first sentence should

clearly state your opinion)

Structure (make sure you have an introduction, 1 or 2 supporting ideas and conclusion)

Clarity, pronunciation and correct grammar usage.

Quantity: Speak as much as possible, or else the graders will not have material to assess.

Independent – question 2paired choice Some people prefer to live in the city, some

prefer to live in the country. Which one do you prefer and why? Give reasons and examples to support your response.


Independent – question 2paired choice Observation:

Questions 1 and 2 are similar, so the procedure is the same:

Use the 15 second to think and plan your response rather than write it.

The only difference is that you have to choose between two choices given.

Independent – question 2paired choice Preference: ………

Reason 1 ………… (include example if possible)

Reason 2 …………(include example if possible)

Conclusion: ……….

Integrated tasks(reading and listening) You will have to read, then listen to some

materials and produce an answer to a question.

Two types of listening materials:Campus - conversations between 2 students or

students to professors; every day situations and topics;

Academic – lectures, 3-4 minute long.

Integrated (reading and listening) Question 3 - campus Reading: Notice on the door of the chemistry lab

The staff from the chemistry lab regrets to inform all students and faculty in the Chemistry Department that the chemistry lab is now closed due to an unfortunate occurrence there. Because of this unfortunate circumstance that has rendered the chemistry lab unusable, it has been necessary to close the lab until necessary repairs can improve the condition of the lab to a point that is once again usable. The staff of the chemistry lab sincerely regrets any inconvenience that this might cause students and faculty who make use of the lab as part of their research or studies. Repairs on the lab will commence at the soonest possible moment, and the lab will be reopened as soon as it is feasible (though, based on the current condition of the lab, this might take a considerable amount of time). Once again, staff from the chemistry lab apologizes for this inconvenience.

Integrated (reading and listening) Question 3 - campus From the listening, which is a conversation between

2 students, a man and a woman, we find out that the students do have a problem with the lab closed, since they are supposed to prepare a project in there. The students also talk about the gossip which has it that the chemistry professor himself caused the damage, due to an unfortunate experiment.

The woman is worried that she cannot finish her paper, while the man is more relaxed, blaming the lab staff for this problem.

Integrated (reading and listening) Question 3 - campus From the reading passage, write down a

summary, in just a few words;

TIP- Summarizing is a very helpful skill in TOEFL.

Take notes during listening;

Integrated (reading and listening) Question 3 - campusRead the question:

The students express their opinions about the notice posted on the door. State how they feel about it and what they think happened.


Integrated (reading and listening) Question 3 - campus

What you should see is:

The students express their opinions about the notice posted on the door. State how they feel about it and what they think happened.


Integrated (reading and listening) Question 3 - campus So, the question will summarize the listening

passage for you. What you have to do is to reproduce their conversation, but also to make observations about what they feel or think.

Plan your response after thorough consideration of your notes.

All the integrated tasks will require more or less the same steps.

Integrated (reading and listening) Question 3 - campus Read your notes carefully. You will not have the time to write in 30 seconds! Plan your response in the order of your notes. State the main

points of the conversation and insert your observations (ex. man seemed relaxed, while woman was worried)

Begin speaking after the beep (plus 2-3 seconds) Include an overall topic statement (ex. Two students are talking

about a situation from their chemistry lab.) Conclusion is not necessary in the 4 integrated questions. Details, correct interpretation of the situations and use of

transitions (connectors) will make your response successful.

Transitions Connectors/linkers

Use of transitions is highly appreciated in TOEFL because they give your speech clarity and cohesion.

Examples: although, however, despite the fact that, moreover,

in addition, on the one hand/on the other hand, firstly, secondly, in conclusion, to summarize

Integrated (reading and listening) Question 4 - academicFORMAT You will be given a short text (150 words) about an

academic topic (history, psychology, literature, chemistry etc)

You will listen to a lecture of 2-3 minutes, that usually explains the concept introduced in the reading.

Then you will be asked a question in which you have to speak about the relationship between the reading and listening.

Preparation time: 30 seconds, response 60 seconds.

Integrated (reading and listening) Question 4 - academic

Approach: - similar to question 3: take notes during reading and listening and,

after thoroughly consulting them, start talking.

Don’t forget to introduce an overall topic sentence, summarizing the points in both reading and listening.

Don’t forget to introduce transitions in order to be coherent and cohesive.

Integrated (listening) Question 5 - campusFormat: A conversation between two students about

every day situationsPreparation time: 30 seconds, response 60

seconds.

TIPS:Take notes about the main points of their conversation.Pay attention to their attitude and feelings.

Integrated (listening) Question 5 - campus Approach:

Read your notes; Read the question carefully, note clue words. You will be asked to have an opinion on the

subject; don’t forget to include it in your answer.

Integrated (listening) Question 6 - academic

FORMAT:

You will listen to a lecture, that usually includes a lot of details.

You will be asked to reproduce the lecture.

Integrated (listening) Question 6 - academicApproach:

Take notes carefully; the lecture is well organized, just follow the main points in it.

Start with a summary of the lecture, then go to details;

Include transitions and do NOT state your opinion in any way.

Final advice Give them what they want – read the questions

carefully and state your opinion only when you are asked to (in questions 1, 2 and 5)

Take notes all throughout the section. Keep talking, but do not ramble; details and

examples are asked in order to help you find material to talk about.

Use transitions and plan your response before you speak.

GOOD LUCK!

toefl speaking

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