TOEFL Challenges: Is It Fair for Everyone?

In this episode of the TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast, we dive into a critical question: Is the TOEFL exam fair for all test-takers?
Join us as we explore the unintended biases of the test, from cultural references to language structure, and examine the real-world impacts these factors can have on students and professionals alike.
With insights from recent research and expert opinions, we discuss potential solutions for a more inclusive assessment—ranging from AI-powered feedback tools to innovative alternatives like portfolio assessments. Whether you're gearing up for the TOEFL or interested in the future of language testing, this episode offers valuable perspectives on equity, resilience, and the evolving landscape of language assessment.

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Transcript

Everyone's language journey is unique. Exactly. Imagine a language assessment as a tool, not a gatekeeper.

(0:09 - 0:16)
Not about ranking and sorting. But about supporting people, helping them reach their full potential. That's the future I want to see.

(0:20 - 0:30)
This is the TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast for the AI era. All right, ready to dive in. Today we're tackling a topic that's been making waves, the fairness of the TOEFL exam.

(0:30 - 0:41)
Hmm, interesting one, yeah. We're going deep, really deep with this paper, the unfairness of the TOEFL exam for speakers of English as a second language. A critical analysis.

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A critical analysis sounds intense. It is. And it's especially relevant for anyone out there who has big dreams, studying abroad or landing a job where, well, English is key.

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Right, makes sense. A lot riding on this test. Exactly.

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And this paper asks the tough question, does the TOEFL actually level the playing field? Or does it kind of create an uphill battle for those who aren't native English speakers? You hit the nail on the head. Well, the TOEFL, it's been around for ages. Oh, yeah.

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Since the 60s. Think about that. It's been the gatekeeper, you could say, for so many opportunities.

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Wow. Since the 60s. That's a long time to be holding that much power.

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It is. And it is meant to test English proficiency. But what if it's unintentionally testing something else? You mean, like, knowing American slang instead of actual fluency? Could be.

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Imagine all those years studying English. Yeah. And then, bam, you get tripped up by a question about, like, I don't know, couch potatoes.

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On a test that basically determines your future. Oof. Yeah.

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Talk about pressure. I mean, it's a valid concern, right? It is. And there's research to back it up.

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Oh, really? Yeah. This study in the Journal of English for Academic Purposes found that even those with strong conversational skills... Non-native speakers, you mean. Yeah.

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They can really struggle with the academic language used in the TOEFL. So is it truly measuring English proficiency, then? That's the big question, right? Or is it biased towards a specific style? Or cultural background? All right. So let's dig into this whole cultural bias thing a bit more.

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Yeah. Let's unpack that. What are some examples of how the TOEFL might even unintentionally be favoring those familiar with Western or, you know, specifically American culture? Well, you mentioned the slang, but think about the reading passages.

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Some of them are heavily referencing American history or cultural practices that, well, someone from a completely different background might not be familiar with. It's like trying to understand a poem, but without knowing anything about the historical period it's from. Exactly.

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You might get the words, but are you really getting the meaning? Right. The context is everything. Yeah.

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But even if you strip away all the cultural stuff, the test design itself could still be an issue. You think? Is that something the paper argues? It does. There's this research by Fulcher back in 2010 that looked at the speaking section.

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Okay. The speaking section. Yeah.

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And it found that non-native speakers often have a really tough time with it. Because... Because it requires this very formal, structured communication. Which might not reflect their natural way of speaking.

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Exactly. So it's not just what you say, it's how you say it in this very specific academic way. But let's get real here for a sec.

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What are the actual consequences of this? Consequences? Like, how does a lower TOEFL score really impact someone's life? Well, I mean, a low score can be the difference between getting into your dream university or not. Yeah. Or even impacting job prospects.

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Absolutely. A lot of employers use those TOEFL scores as like a benchmark. So we're not just talking about hypothetical disadvantages here.

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Nope. These are real barriers for people. Do you have any examples? Oh, tons.

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Think about some graduate programs, really demanding ones, like linguistics. They often require a minimum score of 100 out of 120. Wow.

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A hundred. Yeah. It's tough.

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Even for native speakers. That really puts things into perspective. So we've got these concerns about fairness, but what are the solutions? Right.

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Good question. I mean, is it even possible to make a standardized test truly fair for everyone? That's the million-dollar question, isn't it? Well, luckily, the paper doesn't just point out problems. It actually offers some solutions.

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Okay. I like solutions. Hit me.

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One big idea is like a total redesign of the TOEFL. A revamp. Yeah.

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Making it more culturally inclusive, you know, sensitive. I can get behind that. Think about clearer instructions, diverse context for the questions, really making sure it's testing English, not just like cultural knowledge.

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Opal, that's actually a level playing field. I like it. Yeah.

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But wouldn't the people actually giving the test, administering it, I mean, wouldn't they need to be aware of those cultural differences too? You're so right. That's another key point. Cultural sensitivity training for those test administrators.

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The more aware they are of, let's say, communication styles in different cultures, testing norms, the better. Right. It creates a fairer, more welcoming environment for everyone.

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Fair isn't one size fits all, is it? Exactly. And beyond that, there's even talk of like completely alternative ways to assess language skill. Oh, like what? Get rid of the TOEFL entirely? Not necessarily, but maybe there are ways to evaluate fluency that are, I don't know, more holistic, looking at the big picture, not just a single test score.

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I'm all for thinking outside the box. What kind of alternatives? Give me some examples. Well, one idea is portfolio-based assessment.

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Portfolio. Like an art portfolio. Kind of.

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Instead of one big scary test, you show off your skills through, let's say, essays, projects, maybe even recorded presentations. You can really demonstrate your fluency in different situations. Exactly.

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And it takes into account that, hey, not everyone's a great test taker. Some people shine in different ways. I love that idea.

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And with all this tech these days, there's a lot of buzz about using like simulations. Simulations. To test language.

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Yeah. Imagine a virtual world where you have to use English to, I don't know, order food, give directions, maybe even have a job interview. Whoa, that's wild.

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Like a video game, but for learning. Right. It's way more engaging than filling in bubbles on a test sheet.

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For sure. Plus, you get to practice real-life situations. And these tech approaches, they can be really personalized, right? Oh, yeah.

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Imagine an AI program that analyzes your strengths and weaknesses, then tailors the assessment just for you. So you're getting a truly unique evaluation. Reflecting your individual abilities.

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No more fitting into a predetermined mold. I love it. Okay, we're getting a little futuristic here.

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But while we're on the topic of AI, doesn't it have a role to play in TOEFL prep right now? Absolutely. I mean, we're seeing incredible things with AI-powered learning tools these days. They're really changing how students prepare for exams.

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Okay. Any examples? Well, there's this tool called MySpeakingScore, a TOEFL speaking prep tool. It's powered by SpeechRater AI technology.

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MySpeakingScore. I've heard of that. What's so special about it? It gives students personalized feedback on their speaking, like having a human tutor.

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Wow, really? Yeah. It analyzes things like pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary, even grammar. Then it gives specific suggestions for improvement.

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Sounds impressive. And here's the best part. Anyone with an internet connection can use it.

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So it doesn't matter where you live or what resources you have. Exactly. High quality test prep for everyone.

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It's leveling the playing field, you could say. And over 100,000 students are already using it. 100,000 users.

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That's a lot of people. But how does it actually work? This AI stuff, is it really as good as a human tutor? It's pretty sophisticated. I mean, the AI behind MySpeakingScore has been trained on a massive amount of data.

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What kind of data? Think. Millions of hours of spoken English, all analyzed and categorized. So it's like having the knowledge of tons of English experts, but all in one program.

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Exactly. And because it's AI, it can give you feedback instantly, 24-7, no waiting around for a tutor. That's incredible.

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You really do have a personal language lab at your fingertips. But even with all these amazing tools, the TOEFL is still a major hurdle for so many people. What advice would you give to someone starting their TOEFL journey, especially if they're feeling a little, you know, intimidated? Well, first off, don't let the fear take over.

(8:30 - 8:39)
Knowledge is power, right? The more you understand the TOEFL, the better you'll be. So familiarize yourself with the test and the tools that can help you prepare. Like MySpeakingScore.

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But beyond just knowing the test inside and out, you've got to focus on building overall fluency. Right. It's not just about cramming for a test.

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The TOEFL, it's just one piece of the puzzle. It's a snapshot, but not the whole picture. Don't forget about the joy of learning.

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Keep the bigger picture in mind. I like that. But let's be real.

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Even with the best prep, sometimes, you know, the system itself can feel unfair. It can. What would you say to someone who feels like they've been disadvantaged despite their best efforts? It's tough. 

I get it. It's got to be frustrating to feel like you're being judged by a system that, well, doesn't quite see your full potential. Or works so hard and it's like your skills aren't being recognized.

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Exactly. And I think it's important to remember, you're not alone in this. Oh, yeah.

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This conversation about fairness, it's growing. More and more people are speaking out. That's good.

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If you feel like the test hasn't really captured your abilities, don't be afraid to, I don't know, explore your options. Like what, what can people do? There are resources, organizations out there that can help you understand, like, your rights. Advocate for yourself.

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It's about knowing that you have a voice. That your experiences, they matter. But taking a step back here.

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Yeah What is this whole TOEFL discussion? What does it tell us about the future of language assessment? That's a big one. I mean, the world's getting more and more interconnected, right? Yeah. 

Globalization and all that. So language skills, they become even more important. It's how we unlock all these opportunities.

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Education, jobs, even just connecting with people. Right. But if the tools we're using to assess those skills.

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If they're biased. Or they create these unfair barriers for certain groups. Exactly. 

Then it kind of undermines the whole idea of a level playing field. It's like we're reinforcing inequalities instead of breaking them down. Exactly. 

Which is why it's so crucial to keep pushing for change. And thankfully, there are some amazing advancements happening that could really shake things up. Like what? Give me the good stuff.

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We've talked about some of them. AI powered learning, those personalized assessments, even virtual reality simulations. Yeah. 

The future is looking pretty wild. It is. But beyond just the technology, we need some shifts in thinking, I think, to make assessment more equitable.

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What kind of shifts? Well, I think we've got to move away from this idea that one single test defines you. The be all and end all. Right. 

We need approaches that look at the different ways people learn and how they show their skills. Everyone's language journey is unique, right? Exactly. Imagine language assessment as a tool.

(11:16 - 11:22)
Not a gatekeeper. Not about ranking and sorting. But about supporting people, helping them reach their full potential.

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That's the future I want to see. Now that's a vision I can get behind. And it starts with conversations like these, challenging the status quo, exploring new ideas. 

We've covered so much ground in this deep dive. We have. TOEFL controversies, the power of AI.

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It's been a journey. It has. And as we wrap up here, I want to leave you with this.

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The future of language assessment. It's in our hands. Oh, I like that.

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By talking about these issues, pushing for fairness and embracing innovation, we can create a world where language connects us, not divides us. That's a powerful message. Thank you so much for joining us on this deep dive.

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It's been fantastic to explore all this with you. It has. And to you, dear listener, keep questioning, keep learning and keep pushing for a more just and equitable world.

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Well said. Until next time, stay curious.