TOEFL Speaking: Topics, Syllabus, Score and Practice Papers
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TOEFL Speaking: Topics, Syllabus, Score and Practice Papers

TOEFL speaking is the third part of the TOEFL test. TOEFL speaking is composed of 4 tasks. Candidates appearing for TOEFL speaking tests will have 17 minutes to answer four questions. The TOEFL speaking section requires candidates to read, listen and speak. Preparation for the TOEFL speaking test requires you to get familiar with all the questions in the TOEFL speaking section. A lot of students are unable to discover accurate data about the content needed to be studied to succeed in the TOEFL speaking test.

TOEFL Speaking Section Overview

It can be extracted from TOEFL exam pattern, TOEFL speaking test assesses a candidates ability to to read, listen, use good grammar, management of time, taking notes, pronunciation of words and other minute details. The TOEFL speaking section is divided into 2 main categories: TOEFL Speaking Independent Tasks (Task 1) and TOEFL Speaking Integrated Tasks (Tasks 2 to 4). TOEFL Speaking Independent Tasks normally involve how well a candidate can speak and express their ideas, thoughts and opinions clearly. However, TOEFL Speaking Integrated Tasks include the integration of reading/listening along with speaking.

Is TOEFL Speaking Hard?

Answers integrated in the TOEFL iBT test depend largely on how well a candidate can find logic or ideas in a given text or lecture.

TOEFL Speaking Independent Tasks

For the first task, candidates will be given a condition where there are several possible responses, and they will need to decide on one option. After making the decision (which you’ll need to do quickly since you only have 15 seconds to prepare!), they will then need to support that decision.

TOEFL Speaking Integrated Tasks

For the second task, candidates will be presented with two possibilities and they need to decide among the two of them. candidates may choose which they prefer. Similarly the first task, after making the decision candidates will need to support that decision with precise examples.

TOEFL Speaking Syllabus

In order to score good marks in the TOEFL speaking test, candidates' skills are assessed based on academic setting. The TOEFL speaking score ranges from 0 to 30. It consists of 4 tasks that resemble real-life situations you might confront both in and outside of a classroom.

Candidates get 15–30 seconds of preparation time before every response, and your response will be 45 or 60 seconds long.

The candidate speaks into the microphone of the provided headset. All the TOEFL speaking answers are recorded. TOEFL speaking answers are evaluated by certified evaluators and AI. This guarantees accuracy and fairness. Below mentioned table summarizes the syllabus of TOEFL speaking test:

Section Number of Question Tasks
TOEFL Speaking Independent Task 1 Question TOEFL Speaking Independent Tasks requires the candidates to draw entirely on their own ideas, opinions, and experiences.
TOEFL Integrated Speaking Task 3 Questions TOEFL integrated speaking tasks require candidates to combine their English-language abilities — listening and speaking, or listening, reading and speaking — just as they would in or out of a classroom.

TOEFL Speaking Topics

The primary two integrated TOEFL iBT Speaking topics, require students to read a short passage, listen to an audio recording, then answer a question based on content from both the written passage and the audio recording. Here are the different types of TOEFL speaking topics that you must know about:

  • Choose From One Option
  • Choose From Two Options
  • Explain an Opinion on a Campus Issue
  • Explain a Lecture Topic
  • Explain a Campus Life Problem
  • Explain a Lecture

KPIs for ETS TOEFL Speaking Test

There are few factors on which candidates’ performance is assessed in ETS TOEFL speaking test:

  • The accuracy in speech and the progression of data with no significant stumbles in pronunciation.
  • Skill to blend and review the data which was perused in course books and heard from outside sources.
  • Capability to give a personal opinion in an organized way after investigating the given data.
  • Ability to arrange the thoughts in an effective way and give authentic examples which support the submitted responses.
  • Strong use of grammar and vocabulary.

Is TOEFL Speaking Score 23 Good?

The TOEFL speaking section credits you with raw scores. The scores will be something like this Good: 3.5 - 4. Fair: 2.5 - 3. Thus, 23 is considered an average score in the TOEFL speaking test.

TOEFL Speaking Scores

TOEFL Speaking is probably the trickiest section to grade. If you can, record your answers. This will make it easier to grade yourself because you’ll have a record of what you said and won’t need to rely on your memory. There are six TOEFL Speaking tasks, and for each you’ll receive a raw score of 0-4 (whole points only). The best way to estimate your raw score for this section is to use the TOEFL score rubric for the TOEFL Speaking section. We have a simplified version of the rubric below which makes it quicker and easier to grade your answers, but you can also use the official TOEFL Speaking rubrics. There are dedicated TOEFL speaking scores for each response. It can be helpful to have a friend or tutor who has strong English skills to grade your Speaking tasks in order to get a more objective and accurate view.

Score Range Evaluation
0 Didn’t answer, answered in a language other than English, or the speech was incomprehensible.
1 Speech was minimally related to the topic, speech had numerous errors, was choppy, and/or was largely incomprehensible.
2 Speech mostly stuck to the topic, but didn’t completely answer the question or follow the prompt. Speech was basically intelligible, but had several mistakes in pronunciation, grammar, or was too simple in vocabulary and style.
3 Speech addresses and fulfills the topic, with minor exceptions. Speech is mostly intelligible and fluid, though may have some issues with pronunciation, grammar, or vocabulary. Demonstrates a fairly automatic and fluid mastery of English, with some notable lapses.
4 Speech addresses and completely fulfills the topic. Speech has a fluid and well-paced flow, with only minor lapses in pronunciation or grammar. Was coherent, intelligible, complete, and shows an automatic and fluid master of English.

Candidates are required to develop strategies that will help with good scoring in TOEFL speaking test. These strategies can be developed after undergoing TOEFL speaking mock tests, TOEFL speaking preparation, TOEFL integrated speaking practice, and TOEFL speaking practice online. You might also consider TOEFL preparation app. Below mentioned are some steps you might consider for TOEFL speaking practice:

  • Always take notes - It could be a talking test however taking notes is important. TOEFL materials are data substantial, so write down the main information as you listen.
  • Be Clear - Make sure to talk clearly and slowly, if your investigator struggles to understand your words, it's not a good sign.
  • Practice, practice & practice - There is a variety of TOEFL speaking mock tests available online. Get your hands on ETS TOEFL speaking practice papers. Pick any topic and speak. This will help you to boost your confidence.
  • Get Creative - Whatever question is tossed at you, remember that you can reply any way you like, as long as the English is great.

You can 100% succeed and get a good score if you practice with TOEFL speaking examples available online. Candidates must work on their Comprehensibility, Organization, Fluency, Pronunciation, Grammar, and Vocabulary. Candidates can also do TOEFL speaking practice online as various coaching classes provide online courses for TOEFL.

TOEFL Speaking Books

The TOEFL preparation books focus on topics that need more attention and help you to build your weakness into strength. TOEFL preparation books are a helpful option during self-preparation.The best TOEFL books contain numerous practice papers, thorough information on exam pattern and scoring, valuable tips, and test-day guidance as well. Below mentioned are some of the books:

  1. Cambridge Preparation for TOEFL : Check PDF
  2. Barron’s Essential Words for the TOEFL, 7th Edition: Check PDF
  3. Barron’s TOEFL iBT, 17th Edition: Check PDF

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

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