The TOEFL speaking section is difficult for many to understand. This section asks you to respond to 4 tasks in a recorded time. While speaking English in a natural conversation can sound simple, it is quite difficult when you have to do it in a given time, and in front of a computer screen instead of a human proctor.

So, make sure you know exactly what to do in order to maintain a very good score on the speaking section. And for that, we’re at your service.

Structure of TOEFL Speaking Test

Speaking section of the TOEFL requires you to respond to 4 tasks in total. Let’s break down each of these,

Task 1

In the first task, you will have to give your personal opinion on a general topic. You will be reading a text on the screen before you proceed to answer the question. To respond to this task, you will have a total of 1 minute.

Preparation time: 15 seconds

Response time: 45 seconds

You have to make sure that you start speaking exactly after 15 seconds and stop at exactly 45 seconds.

Task 2

The second task will consist of a short passage and an audio. You will have to read the passage, and then listen to the audio to respond to the task question. The reading passage will be an announcement, and the audio will be discussing people’s opinions on these announcements. As you speak you will have to summarize the speakers opinion.

Reading: 50 seconds.

Audio clip: About 1 minute.

You will have a total of 1 minute and 30 seconds to respond to this task.

Preparation: 30 seconds.

Response: 60 seconds.

Task 3

The third task will also give you a reading passage and an audio. This reading passage will be regarding any kind of academic topic. After this, you will be listening to an audio in which a professor will be giving examples to support the reading passage.

Reading: 45 seconds.

Audio clip: About 1 minute.

To respond to this task you will get 1 minute and 30 seconds

Preparation: 30 seconds.

Response: 60 seconds.

Task 4

In the 4th section you will only be hearing a lecture, and the you will give a summary of the lecture as you speak. The lecture will be a 2 minute audio. After this, you will have a total of 1 minute and 20 seconds to respond.

Preparation time: 20 seconds.

Response time: 60 seconds.

How To Prepare for TOEFL Speaking Section?

Now as you have seen the detailed structure of the test, do not feel overwhelmed. It sounds tricky but you will eventually grasp it as you practice. Here are a few things you must do to practice properly for the test,

1. Speak In Front of a Mirror

Do you know one of the best strategies to speak at any forum is to stand in front of a mirror and speak. So how do you do this for a test like TOEFL?

That’s easy. Take out a sample test, and use a stop watch. Once your speaking time starts look into the mirror and talk like you are holding a natural conversation with a person. At first you will notice yourself stumbling, but after a few tries you will eventually be smoother in your communication.

This practice will help you track time as you speak, and also train you to speak more confidently.

2. Practice To Avoid Using Filler Words

One major mistake that can make you lose points in the speaking section is the use of filler words. If you use too many of such words your conversation will sound immature. Let’s give you a few examples of filler words,

Um,

Oh,

Er,

Ah,

Etc.

We use words like this to fill in the empty spaces as we speak. Instead calm yourself, and speak a little slowly if you find yourself using too many of such fillers. In fact sometimes a short break in your communication can portray as a powerful communication tool. So make sure that you practice speaking English fluently and accurately.

3. Be Very Careful About Difficult Vocabulary

It is a plus point if you know good vocabulary. In fact, if your vocabulary is good, you may be able to get a higher score as well. But, remember that the use of complicated vocabulary is a double-edged sword. So, you should only use difficult vocabulary when you are sure that you are using the right words and in the right context. Otherwise, wrongly used fancy words will lead to negative marking, which you do not need.

4. Pronounce the Words Properly

As you practice also pronounce the words properly. You should have a very accurate pronunciation to score high on the speaking test. This means that you must practice the right way to pronounce different kind of words. For this purpose,

Listen to the audios carefully. The pronunciation of many difficult words will be there in the audio.

Other than this, as you solve speaking practice tests, note the words you pronounce with difficulty and practice them.

If you are not comfortable with the use of certain words, avoid using them at all in your conversation.

5. Practice At Least a Month Before Your Test

If you are week at every day English communication, you should consider practicing at least 3 months before your date. However, if you are a confident speaker, you should still give yourself at least a month to adapt to the unique format of the test, and prepare more effectively.

Remember, you need dedicated practice to be able to speak according to the strict time regulations of the TOEFL test.

5. Solve a large Number of Practice Tests

You must try and solve a larger number of practice tests for the speaking test, than you would for another test section. In this way you will have gone through a large number of topics already, and the ones you find on your test date will sound less surprising.

6. Be a Champion at Note Taking

Many people do not feel comfortable taking notes. If you are one of them, it is up to you. However, according to expert opinion, taking notes can really boost up your speaking scores. Instead of not taking notes, you should practice on how to take notes.

Here’s how you can do this,

1. Do not write full words. You can avoid the vowels and add in the consonants for different words. For example, write ‘prsnt’ instead of ‘present’ and ‘slp’ instead of ‘sleep’

2. Instead of writing full sentences write nouns, verbs and adjectives as clues for every important info you need

3. If you find any important factual info which can be a part of a one or two words answer, note it in a larger writing

4. Use symbols instead of words. You can use arrows, equal to sign, plus sign, and other symbols to denote different kind of information

Tips and Tricks for The TOEFL Speaking Test

Here are a few tips you can use to ace the test and boost your speaking score,

1. In the 2nd and 3rd tasks, be more careful to the audios, as they will have a major chunk of your answers

2. If you are done speaking and have 5 to 10 seconds, conclude your conversation by adding a line like this,

3. “So, the professor has given these two examples to describe the impact of coloration discussed in the passage”

4. While a conclusion is not important, you can save yourself from negative marking if you use it to end your conversation instead of speaking shorter than required.

Practice using words and phrases that can save you from using a lot of other words to describe the same thing. For example, use ‘alternatively’ instead of ‘on the other hand’. These small details will reflect your command on the language and help you avoid exceeding time.

So, what are you waiting for! Register for your test and start practicing now!

Also read
TOEFL: Types, Score, Structure, Registration, and Fee
How To Prepare for TOEFL Reading Section? 
How To Prepare for TOEFL Speaking Section?

For more educational and career guidance like this,  subscribe to our youtube channel don't forget to check out Eduvision's Blog.

Follow us on instagram, facebook, and linked in for the latest news and updates.