One of the Biggest TOEFL Speaking Mistakes

Struggling with the TOEFL Speaking test? You’re not alone. In this episode, we uncover one of the most common mistakes test takers make—overthinking and striving for perfection—and how it can actually hurt your score.

Join us as we explore Michelle’s real-life case study, a speech pathologist with near-native English fluency who struggles to meet the TOEFL Speaking score requirements. Learn why fluency, not perfection, is the key, and how tools like MySpeakingScore provide personalized feedback to help you find the perfect balance between clarity and speed.

We’ll also share practical strategies like response frameworks and note-taking tips to boost your confidence and performance. Don’t let this mistake hold you back—discover how to unlock your full potential today!

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• My Speaking Score

Free resources:

• TOEFL Speaking Course
• SpeechRater Blog
• SpeechRater Knowledge Base

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My Speaking Score serves 000s of users across the globe by helping them data-power their TOEFL Speaking prep.

Transcript

Welcome back, everybody, for another deep dive. This time we’re looking at something really interesting, the TOEFL Speaking Test. Okay.

(0:35 - 0:48)
You know, the one that can be kind of a make-or-break for people who want to study abroad or work in a different country. Right. And we’ve got some research, we’ve got some expert insights, and a real-life case study.

(0:48 - 0:51)
Oh cool. That I think is going to be really surprising. I’m intrigued already.

(0:51 - 0:58)
Yeah. It’s pretty wild. And you know, I think sometimes we think about these language tests as being pretty straightforward.

(0:58 - 1:01)
Like you either know the language or you don’t. Right. You pass or you fail.

(1:02 - 1:04)
Yeah. Yeah. But the TOEFL Speaking Test is different.

(1:05 - 1:14)
It has these unique challenges that even really good communicators can struggle with. Yeah. You know, it’s funny because I think a lot of people think, “Oh, if I can just, you know, speak English, I’ll be fine.”

(1:15 - 1:17)
Right. Yeah. But there’s so much more to it.

(1:17 - 1:20)
Totally. And that’s what’s so interesting about this case study that we’re going to look at. Okay.

(1:20 - 1:23)
So we’re going to meet Michelle. Okay. She’s a speech-language pathologist.

(1:24 - 1:27)
So she helps other people communicate. Exactly. She helps other people communicate for a living.

(1:27 - 1:34)
And she has nine licenses already. Wow. But she’s having a really hard time getting her 10th license in Louisiana.

(1:34 - 1:40)
Okay. And the reason is... Let me guess, the TOEFL Speaking Test. The TOEFL Speaking Test.

(1:40 - 1:41)
Yeah. Wow. That’s wild.

(1:42 - 1:48)
So someone who helps people communicate can’t communicate on this test. I know. It’s so ironic.

(1:48 - 2:00)
Yeah. What’s the deal with that? Well, it really highlighted how the TOEFL Speaking Test isn’t just about, like, general English skills. It’s like it has its own demands and its own kind of rhythm and structure that can really trip people up.

(2:00 - 2:03)
Right. Like a specific way of speaking that you need to learn. Yeah.

(2:03 - 2:12)
And what’s crazy is her English is excellent. Oh, really? Like the sources that we’ve been looking at actually describe her as sounding like a native speaker. Huh.

(2:12 - 2:20)
But she just keeps falling short of the score that she needs. Oh, wow. So she usually gets like a 22 or a 23, but she needs a 24 to get licensed.

(2:20 - 2:27)
Oof. I bet that’s frustrating. Oh, I can’t even imagine the frustration of being so close and just not quite getting there.

(2:27 - 2:32)
Yeah. You’re so close you can taste it, but you can’t quite grasp it. And, you know, her story is not unique.

(2:32 - 2:36)
Right. I mean, globally, there are tons of people who are facing similar challenges. Yeah.

(2:36 - 2:43)
TOEFL scores are so important for so many things. Like, it’s not just about going to school. It’s about your career path.

(2:43 - 2:47)
Yeah. It can even affect your chances of immigrating to a new country. It’s huge.

(2:47 - 2:54)
And I think that’s part of what makes it so stressful for people. For sure. All that pressure can really mess with your performance.

(2:54 - 3:02)
Exactly. And the more I dug into Michelle’s case, the more I realized it really reflects this, like, global challenge with TOEFL Speaking. OK.

(3:02 - 3:11)
So she’s taken the test multiple times, always hitting that same score wall. So she’s always getting close but not quite there. Yeah.

(3:11 - 3:20)
And the data shows that her fluency is the biggest obstacle. OK. Especially in task four, which is where you have to summarize information from a lecture.

(3:20 - 3:26)
Right. And she pauses a lot, which makes it tough to convey her thoughts in the time limit. Oh, I see.

(3:26 - 3:29)
So it’s not that she doesn’t know the content. No. She knows the content.

(3:29 - 3:33)
It’s that she can’t get it all out in time. Exactly. Interesting.

(3:33 - 3:50)
And what’s really interesting is that the analysis suggests that she might be overthinking and self-correcting, almost like those communication challenges she addresses in her job are actually working against her in the test. Wow. So it’s almost like she’s too aware of how she’s speaking.

(3:51 - 3:56)
It’s like she can’t turn off that speech pathologist brain. Right. Which is ironic because you’d think that would help her.

(3:57 - 4:08)
I know, right? But it really emphasizes this key point. What’s that? That the TOEFL Speaking Test is not about casual conversation. It’s a very specific skill set.

(4:08 - 4:09)
Right. It’s its own thing. Yeah.

(4:10 - 4:13)
And trying to be perfect can actually backfire. Yeah. I can see that.

(4:13 - 4:19)
Because if you’re too focused on being perfect, you might freeze up. Yeah. And then you end up saying less.

(4:20 - 4:22)
And that hurts your score. Exactly. Interesting.

(4:22 - 4:29)
So it’s this weird paradox where the pressure to be perfect actually makes you perform worse. You’ve got to find that balance. Yeah, you do.

(4:30 - 4:35)
And speaking of delivering enough speech, that brings us to a really cool solution. OK. I’m listening.

(4:35 - 4:39)
That’s been making waves in the test prep world. OK. Tell me more.

(4:39 - 4:42)
AI-powered tools. Yeah. OK.

(4:42 - 4:44)
Now we’re talking. Yeah. And these aren’t just like gimmicks.

(4:44 - 4:49)
Mm-hmm. They’re actually providing personalized feedback and analysis. Wow.

(4:50 - 4:58)
That used to only be available through really expensive human tutors. So it’s like having a personal tutor, but without the cost. Exactly.

(4:58 - 5:06)
And I think this is where we’re seeing the real potential of AI in education. Absolutely. It’s all about making high-quality resources accessible to everyone.

(5:06 - 5:13)
Yeah. No matter where you are or what your background is. I love that—democratizing access to education.

(5:13 - 5:16)
Yes. And there’s one tool in particular that I’m really excited about. OK.

(5:16 - 5:22)
What is it? It’s called MySpeakingScore. MySpeakingScore. And it’s powered by SpeechRater technology.

(5:22 - 5:28)
OK. And it’s already been used by over 100,000 students who are preparing for the TOEFL. Wow.

(5:28 - 5:33)
That’s impressive. Yeah. And what’s so cool about it is that it gives you really granular feedback—

(5:33 - 5:46)
On things like your speaking rate, your pauses, and all these other metrics that are super important for doing well on the speaking test. Oh, that’s fantastic. Because those are the things that are hard to get feedback on otherwise—unless you have a tutor sitting there with a stopwatch.

(5:46 - 5:55)
Right. And this is like having a virtual coach available 24-7 to analyze your practice sessions and give you personalized advice. Wow.

(5:56 - 6:00)
That’s the power of AI. It’s amazing. And it’s not just about getting a higher score.

(6:00 - 6:12)
It’s about building confidence and developing those skills you need to succeed in any situation where clear communication is key. Yeah. Like it’s not just about the test.

(6:12 - 6:16)
It’s about life. Exactly. That’s a really powerful thought.

(6:16 - 6:24)
It is. And I think we should talk more about those specific strategies. Yes, let’s do it.

(6:16 - 6:24)
It is. And I think we should talk more about those specific strategies. Yes, let’s do it. These can help Michelle and other people like her really conquer this test.

(6:24 - 6:35)
Okay, let’s dive in. Michelle’s challenges with fluency, especially in task four, where she has to summarize that lecture, highlight a crucial aspect of the TOEFL Speaking Test.

(6:35 - 6:45)
It’s not just about, you know, your vocabulary or grammar. It’s how effectively you convey information in a specific timeframe.

(6:45 - 6:55)
Yeah, that makes total sense. Because if you’re pausing too much, even if you’re just trying to gather your thoughts, I can see how that could really hurt your score.

(6:56 - 7:09)
Absolutely. It’s like a different kind of communication muscle that you need to develop. And one of the most effective strategies, especially for timed responses, is to practice with what we call response frameworks.

(7:09 - 7:13)
Response frameworks? Yeah. Think of it like a mental blueprint for different question types.

(7:13 - 7:32)
Okay. So, for example, in task one, where you’re giving your opinion on a topic, a simple framework could be: state your opinion clearly, give two reasons to support it, and then briefly illustrate each reason with an example. Oh, so instead of trying to come up with everything on the spot, you already have this structure in place.

(7:32 - 7:37)
Exactly. You’ve got a mental checklist to make sure you’re hitting all the key points. Right.

(7:37 - 7:49)
And not getting lost in the weeds. Exactly. And this is where practice with AI tools, like MySpeakingScore, can be super beneficial.

(7:49 - 8:02)
How so? Imagine getting instant feedback on whether your response followed that framework effectively. If you provided enough detail and whether you managed to do all that within the time limit.

(8:02 - 8:09)
It’s like having a coach, right there, analyzing every word. Exactly. But without the pressure of someone staring at you while you practice.

(8:09 - 8:13)
Yeah, exactly. And it’s available whenever you need it. Oh, that’s so convenient.

(8:13 - 8:19)
And speaking of practice, we can’t forget about working on speaking speed. Oh, yeah. That’s a big one.

(8:19 - 8:24)
Yeah, a lot of test-takers might naturally speak at a slower pace. Right.

(8:24 - 8:26)
Especially when they’re nervous. Exactly. When they’re under pressure.

(8:27 - 8:36)
But in the context of this test, speaking too slowly can really limit how much content you’re able to deliver. Right. It’s like you’re running out of time.

(8:36 - 8:39)
Exactly. Before you can say everything you want to say. Right.

(8:39 - 8:44)
And it’s not about rushing. It’s about finding that balance between speed and clarity. Right.

(8:44 - 8:49)
Because you don’t want to speak so fast that no one can understand you. Exactly. Right.

(8:49 - 8:55)
So it’s about finding that sweet spot. Exactly. And that’s where a tool like MySpeakingScore can be really helpful.

(8:55 - 9:01)
Because it can tell you if you’re speaking too slowly or pausing too frequently. It’s like having data on your speech patterns.

(9:02 - 9:09)
Exactly. It gives you that granular feedback to pinpoint those areas where you need to speed up a little bit. I like that.

(9:10 - 9:16)
And the cool thing is that speaking speed is a skill. You can totally improve with practice. Absolutely.

(9:16 - 9:23)
You can train yourself to speak at a good pace. This is making me think about my own experiences with standardized tests. Yeah.

(9:23 - 9:28)
I remember feeling so much pressure. Oh, yeah. Like my whole future depended on those scores.

(9:29 - 9:33)
Oh, yeah. I’ve been there. And back then, we didn’t have anything like these AI tools. Right.

(9:33 - 9:40)
We were on our own. It’s amazing how technology is changing the game for test-takers. It really is.

(9:40 - 9:52)
It’s making a huge difference. And it’s not just about getting higher scores. It’s about developing essential communication skills that can benefit you in all areas of life.

(9:52 - 10:02)
Exactly. Like those skills are transferable to your academic life, your professional life, even your personal life. It’s like you’re not just prepping for a test. You’re investing in yourself.

(10:03 - 10:12)
Speaking of investing in yourself, let’s talk about note-taking during the lecture in task four of the TOEFL Speaking section. That’s a tough one for many test takers.

(10:13 - 10:24)
Absolutely. It’s hard to juggle understanding the lecture content while also capturing the key points. It can feel like drinking from a firehose.

(10:25 - 10:30)
But effective note-taking is a skill, and like all skills, it can be practiced and improved.

(10:31 - 10:39)
One great strategy is to focus on keywords and main ideas instead of trying to write down every single word. It’s about distilling the essence of the lecture.

(10:40 - 10:46)
Exactly. Some people prefer linear outlines, while others like visual methods like mind maps. It’s about finding what works for you.

(10:47 - 10:58)
And tools like MySpeakingScore can guide you in refining these strategies, helping you identify gaps in your approach and improve efficiency.

(10:59 - 11:09)
That’s the power of AI—it’s not just assessing you, but also coaching you to do better. And that kind of support can make all the difference in a high-stakes test like the TOEFL.

(11:10 - 11:26)
But beyond strategies, let’s not forget the mental aspect of test-taking. Mindset plays such a huge role in performance, especially when there’s a lot of pressure involved.

(11:27 - 11:37)
Michelle’s story reminded me how easy it is to get caught in a cycle of self-doubt after multiple attempts. That anxiety can build up and hurt your confidence.

(11:38 - 11:50)
That’s why shifting your focus from the outcome to the process is so important. Instead of seeing setbacks as failures, view them as learning opportunities to grow.

(11:51 - 12:03)
Exactly. Tools like MySpeakingScore make it easier to track progress and see how far you’ve come, which can be a huge boost for confidence and motivation.

(12:04 - 12:15)
And beyond the technology, connecting with a community of learners can make a big difference too. Sharing experiences, tips, and encouragement creates a positive learning environment.

(12:16 - 12:27)
At the end of the day, the TOEFL is just one step on a larger journey. With the right strategies, tools, and mindset, you can overcome this challenge and unlock new opportunities.

(12:28 - 12:35)
Thanks for joining us for this deep dive into TOEFL Speaking. Remember to stay focused, keep practicing, and most importantly, believe in yourself. Until next time—happy speaking!

(12:36 - 12:52)
But before we go, let’s not forget the bigger picture. Success isn’t just about passing tests; it’s about building skills that stay with you for life. See you next time!

(12:53 - 13:10)
And as always, keep striving, keep growing, and remember that every small step forward counts. Goodbye for now!

(13:11 - 13:27)
To all our listeners, if you’re looking for more support, don’t hesitate to explore MySpeakingScore. It’s a great resource to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses.

(13:28 - 13:41)
And hey, we’d love to hear from you! Share your stories, your progress, and your experiences. You can find us on social media or at our website for more insights and tips.

(13:42 - 14:00)
Absolutely. Your journey inspires us, and your feedback helps us grow too. Let’s keep learning together. And remember, no challenge is too big when you’re determined to succeed.

(14:01 - 14:20)
Before we sign off, let’s take a moment to reflect. Education is evolving, and tools like MySpeakingScore are here to ensure no learner gets left behind. The future is bright!

(14:21 - 14:37)
We’ll be back soon with more tips, strategies, and inspiring stories. Until then, stay curious, stay committed, and always believe in your potential. Take care!

(14:38 - 15:00)
And a final thought: Your journey is unique. Don’t compare yourself to others—focus on your own progress and celebrate every victory, no matter how small. You’ve got this!

(15:01 - 15:20)
Thank you again for joining us today. We’re so proud of the effort you’re putting in, and we can’t wait to see all the amazing things you’ll achieve. See you next time!

(15:21 - 15:38)
Goodbye for now, and happy speaking! Remember, every word you practice brings you closer to your dreams.

(15:39 - 15:53)
Before we officially wrap up, let’s take a moment to reflect. Whether it’s the small improvements or big leaps, every step forward matters. Progress, no matter how small, is still progress.

(15:54 - 16:10)
Absolutely. And with tools like MySpeakingScore, you’re not just improving your speaking skills—you’re building confidence that can help you in every aspect of life, from academics to professional settings.

(16:11 - 16:22)
Exactly. The journey is just as important as the destination. Keep going, keep learning, and remember that setbacks are just opportunities to come back stronger.

(16:23 - 16:36)
To all our listeners, thank you for joining us today. We’re here to support you on your journey to TOEFL success and beyond. Remember, your potential is limitless.

(16:37 - 16:52)
And as you prepare for the test, don’t forget to practice regularly, stay consistent, and use the tools available to you. Whether it’s AI tools like MySpeakingScore or a supportive community, you’ve got this.

(16:53 - 17:10)
We’ll be back soon with more tips, insights, and strategies to help you succeed. Until then, keep practicing, keep growing, and most importantly, keep believing in yourself.

(17:11 - 17:27)
You’re closer to your goals than you think. Every effort you put in brings you one step closer to achieving your dreams. So go out there and make it happen.

(17:28 - 17:38)
Take care, and happy speaking! See you next time on the TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast. Goodbye for now!