TOEFL® Speaking: Deep Dives
Get the inside track on all things TOEFL Speaking—from expert breakdowns of the test’s scoring rubrics to cutting-edge research on how AI like SpeechRater™ evaluates your performance.
Whether it's leveraging movie-based learning techniques or diving into the psychology behind language assessment, each episode gives you a front-row seat to the latest strategies, tips, and tools to help you master the Speaking section.
We don’t just stop at exam prep. We explore the bigger picture of how the TOEFL shapes language learning, how automated scoring impacts your results, and what really goes on behind the scenes at ETS. If you want to understand the nuances of TOEFL Speaking and learn how to make your test performance stand out, this podcast is for you.
This podcast is made possible through a blend of innovative AI solutions, including NotebookLM, ElevenLabs, ChatGPT, Suno, and Buzzsprout.
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TOEFL® Speaking: Deep Dives
Ecuadorian Students Tackle the TOEFL
In this episode of the TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast, we dive into the journey of Ecuadorian students striving to conquer the speaking section of the TOEFL iBT®. With insights from a fresh study published in the International Journal of Language Testing, we explore the challenges and strategies for hitting that coveted C1 proficiency level, a score of 25 out of 30.
Join us as we uncover how planning time can be a secret weapon, the pressure of academic topics, and the impact of persistent errors rooted in a student's first language. Whether you're aiming to ace the speaking section or looking for strategies to improve, this episode will provide valuable guidance on cracking the TOEFL speaking code.
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Hey there, language enthusiast. Ready to unlock the secrets of the TOEFL Speaking section and discover what it really takes to hit that coveted C1 level. You know, that 25 out of 30 that can make all the difference.
(0:26 - 0:46)
It's a score many aspire to, but the path to achieving it can feel mysterious. Totally. That's why we're diving deep into a fascinating new study from the International Journal of Language Testing, fresh off the presses, by the way, to understand the challenges and needs of test takers, particularly those aiming for the 95th percentile or higher on the TOEFL IBT.
(0:47 - 0:55)
We're joined by our language acquisition guru, ready to decode the mysteries of high-level speaking assessment. Let's do this. It's a pleasure to be here.
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This research truly sheds light on why achieving a C1 level of proficiency on the TOEFL Speaking section can feel like scaling a mountain, even for learners who are quite proficient in English. Right. Like, you can nail a casual conversation in English, maybe even deliver a presentation.
(1:11 - 1:23)
But the TOEFL Speaking section, that's a different beast. To be clear, we're talking about the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, C1 representing a high level of fluency. So tell us about the study itself.
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Who are these brave souls they studied? The study focused on students from Universidad Nacional de Educación in Ecuador, who were all prepping for the TOEFL IBT. These weren't beginners by any stretch. They had all completed a rigorous four-year general English program.
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Okay. So we're talking a pretty dedicated bunch. They had a solid foundation in English already.
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Exactly. But even with that background, the study found that only a tiny fraction, a mere 2.1 percent, felt confident they could consistently hit those C1 benchmarks in their speaking. Wow.
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2.1 percent is incredibly small. So even with years of English under their belts, most of these students still felt a long way from truly owning their speaking skills at that C1 level. What did the researchers discover about this gap between their perceived and actual abilities? Well, when analyzing mock speaking exams, they unearthed a significant scoring gap.
(2:15 - 2:32)
Most students were falling short of that C1 target, with average scores about 16 percent lower than the benchmark. And get this, even fewer students felt confident in their ability to use a diverse range of vocabulary and grammar accurately, which are obviously crucial for achieving that top score. That's huge.
(2:32 - 2:56)
It really highlights how even proficient English users can struggle with the specific demands of the TOEFL speaking sections. Knowing the language is one thing, but being able to use it effectively in a high-pressure exam setting, that's another ballgame altogether. So what did this study pinpoint as the main roadblocks to achieving that C1 level fluency and accuracy? What was holding these students back? The researchers identified a couple of major hurdles.
(2:57 - 3:14)
Firstly, they observed that students often resorted to simpler vocabulary and grammatical structures during the speaking tasks, particularly when discussing unfamiliar academic topics. Which makes total sense, right? It's like your brain goes into panic mode when you're put on the spot, and you revert to what feels safest and most familiar. Precisely.
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That feeling of pressure plays a huge role. And it ties directly into the second major hurdle, fluency. Students struggled to express their ideas clearly and effectively within the time limit, especially when tackling unfamiliar academic subjects.
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It's like your brain freezes up a bit when you're trying to formulate those complex ideas under pressure. And in your second language, no less. Did the study delve into what might help students overcome this brain-freeze phenomenon? It did.
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And this is where it gets really interesting. The researchers found that even small increases in planning time led to significant improvements. Give those same students a bit more time to think, and bam, their speaking becomes clearer, more accurate.
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Time to plan is like a secret weapon. It's not just about what they know, but how they're able to access and use that knowledge when the pressure is on. That makes a lot of sense.
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You know what this reminds me of? Those times I've used my speaking score to practice for language exams, having that structured practice, especially on those trickier academic topics, was so helpful in building my confidence and fluency. There you go. It's like training for a marathon.
(4:19 - 4:29)
You wouldn't just show up on race day without putting in the miles beforehand. You need to build up your endurance, your pace, and your mental game to succeed. It's so true.
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I remember when I was prepping for the TOEFL, I'd get so caught up in trying to sound impressive that I'd overthink my responses and end up making silly mistakes. Which actually reminds me, we were talking about those accuracy hurdles earlier. The study found that even after extensive error correction, those sneaky little shadows from students' first language kept creeping in and affecting their accuracy.
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It's like our linguistic past just loves to linger, doesn't it? It's like a linguistic accent, even when you're speaking another language fluently. Those ingrained habits from our first language can be surprisingly persistent. And you're right.
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The study doesn't just highlight the challenges. It offers some potential solutions. The researchers propose a bridging course, which focuses specifically on these C1 level challenges.
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Okay. Let's unpack this bridging course idea. What would that look like in practice? Imagine a learning environment where the emphasis isn't on cramming grammar rules or memorizing endless vocabulary lists.
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It's about building genuine fluency and accuracy within the context of those challenging academic topics. Think of it like a practice arena, where learners can level up their skills before the big game. I love that analogy.
(5:40 - 6:05)
So it's about creating a supportive space where learners can experiment with more sophisticated language, receive target feedback, and gradually build that confidence to use it spontaneously. Did the researchers suggest any other techniques for bridging this gap? They found that giving students more time to plan their responses made a world of difference. It allowed them to tap into those higher level language skills that were lurking beneath the surface.
(6:05 - 6:23)
They were able to formulate more complex ideas, use a wider range of vocabulary, and structure their thoughts more coherently. It's like they needed that extra space, that breathing room, to really tap into the good stuff they already knew. And that's a crucial insight for anyone prepping for these exams, really, for any high-stakes language exam.
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It's not just about what you know. It's about being able to access and utilize that knowledge effectively under pressure. It's about bridging that gap between knowing English and confidently using it, when it really counts.
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Speaking of bridging that gap, platforms like MySpeakingScore can be game changers. It's not just about taking endless practice tests. It's about getting that personalized feedback and guidance on those specific areas where you need to level up.
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Absolutely. That personalized feedback is key. This study also highlighted the importance of addressing those persistent errors, the that stem from our first language, what we were calling that linguistic accent earlier.
(7:00 - 7:07)
Right. Like those sneaky little grammatical structures or pronunciation patterns that we might not even realize are holding us back. Precisely.
(7:07 - 7:21)
And that's where targeted practice can be so transformative. Focused on the specific demands of the TOEFL speaking section. It's about identifying those ingrained habits that might be tripping us up and consciously working to replace them with more accurate and sophisticated language use.
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So would you say cracking the C1 code for TOEFL speaking, is it less about magically acquiring more advanced grammar and vocabulary and more about learning to wield the knowledge you already have with greater fluency and precision? One hundred percent. This study really underscores the importance of focused strategic practice, especially for those aiming for those top scores. It's not enough to simply understand the rules.
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You need to be able to apply them effectively, spontaneously, and yes, even creatively. And that takes time, dedicated effort, and the right kind of support. It's like training for any challenging performance.
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You need a good coach, the right resources, and a healthy dose of self-belief. Couldn't have said it better myself. This research is a powerful reminder that achieving a C1 level of proficiency in TOEFL speaking is an achievable goal.
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With the right approach, dedicated practice, and a willingness to embrace the challenges, you can conquer those speaking tasks and unlock a world of opportunities. And on that note, we'll wrap up this deep dives into the fascinating world of TOEFL speaking and what it takes to achieve that coveted C1 level. We hope you found these insights helpful, and maybe even a little inspiring.
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Until next time, keep those language skills sharp.
