Academic Speaking Skills
The TOEFL speaking section takes 20 minutes to complete and contains 6 sections. It is done on a computer. Your answers are recorded and sent to ETS for marking.
Though the TOEFL Speaking section is the shortest section of the TOEFL test, many students struggle with it the most. Speaking in English, into a microphone, under a time constraint, in a room full of other test-takers … it can be stressful if you’re not prepared.
Luckily, you have time to prepare! By understanding the format of the TOEFL Speaking section, and some strategies for making good use of your time, you’ll be able to answer all six speaking questions in the allotted time.
The TOEFL speaking tests contain academic situations set both inside and outside the classroom
In classrooms, there are situations where you must:
- respond to questions
- contribute to class discussions
- read or listen to something and then summarize it
- give your opinion of topics under discussion
In situations outside the classroom, you need to:
- take part in conversations with administrative staff, such as at the library
- take part in casual conversations with other students
- give your opinion about something
Description of the speaking tasks
Independent Tasks
- Personal Preference - Preparation time: 15 seconds Response time: 45 seconds
This question will ask you to speak about a person, place, object or event that is familiar to you.
2.Choice - Preparation time: 15 seconds Response time: 45 seconds
You will be presented with two situations or opinions. You'll be asked which you prefer and you need to explain your choice.
Integrated Tasks Read/Listen/Speak
- Campus Situation Topic: Fit and Explain. Preparation time: 30 seconds Response time: 60 seconds
- A reading passage (75–100 words) presents a campus-related issue.
- A listening passage (60–80 seconds, 150–180 words) comments on the issue in the reading passage.
- The question asks the test taker to summarize the speaker’s opinion within the context of the reading passage.
- Academic Course Topic: General/ Specific. Preparation time: 30 seconds Response time: 60 seconds
- A reading passage (75–100 words) broadly defines a term, process, or idea from an academic subject.
- An excerpt from a lecture (60–90 seconds; 150–220 words) provides examples and specific information to illustrate the term, process, or idea from the reading passage.
- The question asks the test taker to combine and convey important information from the reading passage and the lecture excerpt.
Listen/Speak
5. Campus Situation Topic: Problem/ Solution. Preparation time: 20 seconds Response time: 60 seconds
- The listening passage (60–90 seconds; 180–220 words) is a conversation about a student-related problem and two possible solutions.
- The question asks the test taker to demonstrate an understanding of the problem and to express an opinion about solving the problem.
- Academic Course Topic: Summary. Preparation time: 20 seconds Response time: 60 seconds
- The listening passage is an excerpt from a lecture (90–120 seconds; 230–280 words) that explains a term or concept and gives concrete examples to illustrate that term or concept.
- The question asks the test taker to summarize the lecture and demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the examples and the overall topic.
- TOEFL speaking part 1
- TOEFL speaking part 2
- TOEFL speaking part 3
- TOEFL speaking part 4
- TOEFL speaking part 5
- TOEFL speaking part 6
- TOEFL Listening Test 1
- TOEFL Listening Test 2
Source: http://www.examenglish.com
TOEFL Speaking Tips and Practice
This blog is jam-packed with strategies for succeeding in the TOEFL Speaking section. Let’s break down the six best:
1. Take Awesome Notes
TOEFL lectures are dense, so taking brief notes while you listen can help you stay focused and thinking about the main ideas. They are also great to revisit when you’re planning your response.
2. Relax
Take a 10 or 15 second break. Close your eyes, sit back, and take a few deep breaths. Sometimes you need to let your heart rate go back to normal before you can think straight. Being nervous is completely normal, but don’t lose points because you’re panicking.
3. Stay Focused
The test center can get noisy with everyone speaking at the same time. Try not to listen to your fellow test-takers. Try doing some TOEFL Speaking practice with distractions in the room so you can get used to tuning out the chaos.
4. Use a Template
Structuring your answer ahead of time can help you outline your response faster, and prevent test-day stress. Create a template with structure words for each task. A phrase like, “Besides that, the student also points out that…” will help organize your answer. But beware…
5. Don’t Plagiarize!!
This should be obvious. Remember that templates can be useful on the test, but be very careful. If you memorize sentences and use them on the TOEFL exam, suspicion of cheating could lead to cancelled scores.
6. Block Out Distractions
If you can’t focus, try momentarily covering your ears and closing your eyes to clear your head.
Source: http://magoosh.com