SPEAKING SECTION OVERVIEW

SPEAKING SECTION

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.

Tips for Speaking Task 1:

1. You won’t get much time to prepare for these first two tasks, so you’ll have to think quickly.

2. Don’t try to figure out all the details you’re going to discuss in 15 seconds. Just settle on a topic to talk about. On the sheet given, construct a rough outline of what points you wish to cover for your topic, and let the details come naturally while you’re speaking.


3. If you run out of things to talk about and there’s still time left, don’t be afraid to make things up! There’s no rule that you can only discuss facts.


4. Being fluent is your first priority. ALSO, be confident about your verbal skills.


5. Practice Voice modulation. i.e, Rising and falling of tone for some words is important.
Work expression into your voice by varying the elements of sound. For example, try that now by reading this next sentence aloud:

"I didn't tell her you were stupid."

Depending on how you vary the vocal elements, you can give this sentence any of several meanings.
Continue repeating the sentence, each time emphasizing a different word:

"I didn't tell her you were stupid." (Somebody else told her.)
"I didn't tell her you were stupid." (I emphatically did not.)
"I didn't tell her you were stupid." (I implied it.)
"I didn't tell her you were stupid." (I told someone else.)
"I didn't tell her you were stupid." (I told her someone else was stupid.)
"I didn't tell her you were stupid." (I told her you're still stupid.)
"I didn't tell her you were stupid." (I told her something else about you.)

Identical words. Different meanings. That's the power of voice.


6. Be aware of where to use plurals and where to use singulars, don’t spell wrongly.
For E.g, “She tried on many DRESSES, but she liked the red DRESS the most.”

7. Don’t construct very long, complex sentences by using too many prepositions. Instead use simpler and shorter sentences to convey your idea more clearly.

(INCORRECT: “Believing that a specialized approach and focus for recovering from uninsured individuals is most effective, we use a professional collection agency whose expertise has proven successful in the recovery process”

Here is a two-sentence version with much simpler language. The shorter sentences do make the message clearer.

CORRECT : “We have found that collection experts do the best job of recovering money from uninsured individuals. That is why we use a professional collection agency.”)

8. Beware of Inappropriate stress and incorrect pronunciation to some words.

9. Don’t speak too fast (in recording, it’s difficult to understand). Also don’t speak too slow.
 Don’t keep silence for more than 3 seconds.

10. An important TIP to keep in mind. You're in a room-full of people who maybe giving their own speaking section simultaneously. It becomes difficult to concentrate on your own test in that scenario. My Advice, Practice your speaking section in a noisy room / cafe / or with the TV playing in the background to give you a real simulation of the exam center.

11. And the last tip is your tone must be NATURAL. Don’t try to speak in an unnatural accent.