TOEFL Speaking Tips: Know How to Effectively Prepare for TOEFL Speaking Section

TOEFL Speaking Tips: Know How to Effectively Prepare for TOEFL Speaking Section

Highlights:

  • TOEFL speaking tips from books, expert mentors or from top scorers can be very helpful.
  • Understanding the question types and exam format is very important for your preparation.
  • TOEFL speaking preparation apps and websites offers regular practice with updated contents
  • Having a better understanding of the scoring pattern can help you to structure your answers.
Shubhankar Das logo

byShubhankar Das Content Writer - Study Abroad

Achieving a good score in TOEFL speaking is important for the academic setting. TOEFL speaking section is designed to evaluate your efficiency in speaking English language. You will face 1 independent speaking task that evaluates your opinions, ideas, and experiences when you respond. 3 integrated speaking tasks examine your overall English language skills. Completing these 4 tasks within 16 minutes may be challenging for some candidates. Follow proven TOEFL speaking advice from books or expert mentors can boost your preparation. You can achieve your targeted score by using and following the right TOEFL speaking tips and strategies. The top-ranked universities worldwide requires 25+ score in TOEFL speaking

alt tags

TOEFL Speaking Topics

TOEFL speaking questions of independent tasks test a candidate’s speaking ability through topics related to arts, science, technology, humanities, and more. TOEFL speaking topics are based on a wide range of categories. Here are a few TOEFL speaking topics for you:

Food Work Your Life Travel
Country Studies Entertainment Technology
Family/People Recreation/Sports Friends Activities

TOEFL Speaking Tips

TOEFL speaking tips 2020-21 includes generous practice, daily listening and practice exercises. TOEFL speaking section tips teaches the below given questions:

  • How to improve your TOEFL Speaking score
  • How to practice at home
  • How to find a friend to practice with
  • How to deliver high-scoring speaking responses on test day
  • How to stop listening and start speaking

Along with the above questions let's discuss some TOEFL Speaking tips below:

  1. Know TOEFL Speaking Scoring Criteria

Candidates need to know about the TOEFL speaking score criteria used for evaluating their performance. Candidates will be able to improve those skills that will result in a high TOEFL speaking score. Below are the marking criteria:

  • Give Relevant Answers: TOEFL speaking test tips teaches candidates to provide only relevant answers. If the question asks the candidate to only provide examples and reasons, they need to provide only that.
  • Understandable language: It is important for candidates to provide answers which are comprehensible. If the other person can understand you completely, you will obtain a high TOEFL score.
  • Structure: TOEFL speaking preparation course teaches candidates to answer in a coherent and organized manner.
  • Fluency: A fluent TOEFL speaking response without any hesitation will help candidates earn a higher score.
  • Grammar: TOEFL speaking preparation teaches candidates to have a good hold on grammatical accuracy and structure.
  • Vocabulary: This point focuses on the vocabulary knowledge of candidates. The higher the knowledge of vocabulary, the better the score.
  1. Avoid Watching Videos

Survey reports say that practicing speaking can improve your speaking skills better than watching videos. If you take out 10 minutes a day to practice TOEFL speaking, you must spend 9 minutes working on your responses and just 1-minute watching videos about the TOEFL Speaking. Make and follow a structured TOEFL study plan to schedule your timings and preparation materials.

  1. Record Yourself

Examiners focus on pronunciations and not much on accents. Candidates don’t need to work on their accents. Offline and online TOEFL courses for speaking help candidates improve their pronunciation by regular practice, speaking out loud, and paying heed to where they are going wrong. A good way to develop pronunciation skills is by recording yourself while speaking. This way you can work on your pronunciation.

  1. Use Rubrics for Improvement

TOEFL Grading rubrics can help you judge from the grader’s perspective of improvement. Understanding TOEFL score reporting can be very helpful for you to structure your answers. You need to get a checklist that is a little easier to read. Download our Speaking and Writing Grading Rubrics checklist for students like you studying on your own.

Independent Speaking Checklist

Questions
1. Did I speak for 42-45 seconds?
2. Was my introduction 12 seconds or less?
3. Did I have enough time to include a short conclusion (7 seconds or less)?
4. Did I look at the clock to monitor my time at least twice?
5. Did I include at least two transitional words or phrases?
6. Did I speak at a smooth and even pace for the majority of my response?
7. Did I speak in a natural and conversational tone (no robot voice)?
8. Did I elaborate on the topic with a well-developed personal anecdote?
  1. Phrases to Develop Fluency

The best way to know how to prepare for TOEFL speaking skills is to develop phrases that help increase fluency. As there is a limited time in TOEFL speaking, learning a few of the phrases will help you appear confident. Below are a few of the phrases for TOEFL preparation of speaking:

Phrases Suggestions
TOEFL Speaking Phrases When Providing Details:
  • as a matter of fact
  • not only…but also…
  • moreover
  • likewise
TOEFL Speaking Phrases When Providing Reasons:
  • one cause for that is…
  • since…
  • because of…
  • given that…
TOEFL Speaking Phrases When Introducing New Points:
  • moreover
  • furthermore
  • in addition to…
  1. Time Management

The most important TOEFL speaking tip is to practice time management. Practice using a timer.

For the TOEFL independent speaking task, you only get:

  • 15 seconds to prepare your response, and
  • 45 seconds to speak for each question

For the TOEFL integrated speaking tasks, you get:

  • 30 seconds to prepare, and
  • 60 seconds to speak for each question. (for question four you only get 20 seconds to prepare)
Speaking Tasks TOEFL Speaking Task Tips
TOEFL independent speaking task
  1. Read the speaking prompt
  2. Set your timer for 60 seconds
  3. Spend 15 seconds preparing your response
  4. Spend 45 seconds responding
TOEFL integrated speaking task
  1. Read and listen to the speaking prompt
  2. Set your timer for 90 seconds (80 seconds for question four)
  3. Spend 30 seconds preparing your response (20 seconds for question four)
  4. Spend 60 seconds responding
  1. Body Movement

While giving your TOEFL speaking test, you can move your hands to express thoughts. This will make you confident. You can follow a few people while speaking and giving their TED Talks. They appear confident, you can take reference from that.

Body Movement

You can see the above picture and see how body positions reflect confidence. Proper body position can have a good impact on your TOEFL score range.

  1. Listen to Audiobooks and Podcasts

You can practice TOEFL speaking from different audiobooks and podcasts.

  • Practice pronunciation, stress, and intonation.
  • Get yourself an audiobook subscription service or find some free audiobook samples online.
  1. Seeking Professional Help

A teacher can help you with all your TOEFL practice sessions. You can take professional guidance by joining in TOEFL coaching classes. A professional helps you with proper guidance and leads the way of improvement. TOEFL experienced teachers can provide:

  • structured speaking practice
  • live feedback on your spoken English
  • personalized study plans

TOEFL Speaking Preparation Apps 

The best part about the TOEFL speaking preparation app is, candidates can practice anytime and anywhere. The TOEFL preparation app for speaking is considered a very beneficial tool. Below are some of the TOEFL speaking training apps:

  • Speaking - TOEFL Speaking Questions and Answers by Milinix: This is a helpful TOEFL speaking preparation app that contains detailed descriptions of the four tasks. It contains numerous speaking questions and responses, vocabulary, speaking rubrics, and tips. Candidates can also record their answers.
  • Magoosh: TOEFL Speaking and English Learning: This app contains TOEFL speaking section details. It helps candidates practice under strict timings, learn from realistic sample papers, and get a wide range of TOEFL speaking topics. Candidates can also avail this app offline.
  • TOEFL Speaking Vocabulary with Audios by Mimosa Creative Applications: This app helps candidates with a thorough understanding of syllabus, range of topics, speaking tips, numerous examples, and exercises.
  • TOEFL Writing and Speaking Mastery by TOEFL Resources: TOEFL resources is a helpful TOEFL preparation site. It also helps in TOEFL speaking preparation by offering ample sample questions and responses. It also contains video lectures about the TOEFL iBT test.

TOEFL Speaking Practice Papers 

The best answer to how to prepare for the TOEFL speaking section is solving practice papers. Below are a few of the TOEFL speaking practice questions:

The difficulty level of TOEFL speaking may be challenging for some test takers. Recording your responses, and then listen to the response, helps you to identify your weak areas. Practice TOEFL speaking by talking regularly with your friends, family members or colleagues in English.

FAQs

Ques: How can I do well in TOEFL speaking?

Ans: To achieve a good TOEFL speaking score, first, make yourself familiar with the exam format, understand the scoring pattern, and improve your vocabulary and grammar skills. Taking regular practice tests can lead you to a better TOEFL speaking score.

Ques: How to score 30 in TOEFL speaking?

Ans: 30 is the highest score on TOEFL speaking. Achieving 30 in the speaking section is not easy. You need to do effective practice and need to improve your fluency and grammar for higher TOEFL speaking score.

Ques: Is TOEFL speaking tough?

Ans: The difficulty level of TOEFL speaking may be challenging for some test takers. Candidates with a good grasp of the English language, and by doing effective speaking preparation, can achieve a good TOEFL listening score.

Ques: How to excel in TOEFL speaking?

Ans: The first thing you need to do to achieve a higher score is to provide the relevant answers. Work on your fluency, and using a variety of grammar can improve your speaking score. 

Ques: How to get 20 in TOEFL speaking?

Ans: Candidates with a good grasp of English speaking and with effective preparation can easily achieve 20 in TOEFL speaking. Read and listen to the speaking prompt carefully, and maintain the time frame for higher score.

Ques: How strict is TOEFL speaking scored?

Ans: TOEFL speaking section is scored based on Speaking Scoring Guides (Rubrcs). The scoring process uses a combination of AI scoring and human raters. 

Ques: How to predict TOEFL speaking score?

Ans: To predict your TOEFL speaking score, divide the average task score by the maximum possible task score. Taking regular practice tests under the real-exam time frame can help you to predict your final score.

Ques: How to train TOEFL speaking?

Ans: TOEFL speaking training includes structuring your response correctly. Write and read your response in loud for better understanding. You can talk regularly with your friends, family members or colleagues for effective practices.

Ques: How can I practice TOEFL speaking at home?

Ans: You can effectively practice TOEFL speaking section at home by recording your responses. You need to practice regularly with sample papers and various speaking samples for higher scores. 

Ques: Is TOEFL speaking face to face?

Ans: TOEFL iBT speaking section involves recording spoken responses. If you are taking TOEFL PBT, the speaking section will be conducted through a face-to-face interview.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

Comments


No Comments To Show