TOEFL Speaking vs. Real English: The Surprising Gap

Explore the intriguing divide between standardized tests like TOEFL Speaking and real-world English usage in this episode of the TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast. Dive into the challenges and insights from English Medium Instruction (EMI) settings, such as the American University of Beirut, and discover how translanguaging, creative communication strategies, and flexible language policies shape global classrooms. Learn how tools like MySpeakingScore, powered by SpeechRater AI, are bridging this gap by focusing on real-world communication skills, leveling the playing field for students everywhere.

Discover how understanding and embracing linguistic diversity can prepare you not just for a test but for thriving in international academic and professional settings.

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• My Speaking Score

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• TOEFL Speaking Course
• SpeechRater Blog
• SpeechRater Knowledge Base

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Transcript

All right, so we're back for another deep dive. And today we're looking at something pretty fascinating, right? Yeah, definitely.

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English medium instruction universities. And so, just imagine like you're taking classes, all in English. But you might be in a country where English isn't the main language.

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Right. So, you know, think about, you know, biology or history, even landscape design. All taught in English, but you're maybe in Finland or Lebanon or somewhere.

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So, English medium instruction. Yeah, it's a global phenomenon, really. We're seeing universities across the world adopt English as the language of instruction.

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That's really interesting. And today we're focusing on one specific university, right? The American University of Beirut, AUB. AUB, yep.

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Which has been doing this for over 140 years. I mean, way before it became trendy. Wow.

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Yeah, it's been doing this for a long time. And what's interesting is that they require proof of English proficiency. Right.

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But they don't require Arabic proficiency. They don't, no. Even though it's in Lebanon.

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It certainly raises questions about language policies in these settings. Yeah, so that's really interesting. And so, the research we're looking at compares the TOEFL, which is, you know, a major international English proficiency test.

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Yeah. With AUB's own test. Right.

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The A-U-B-E-N. A-U-B-E-N. Okay.

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So, the question is. The big question is, how well do these tests actually measure what students need to thrive in these diverse classrooms? Because imagine you're in like a biology class. Yeah.

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And the professor all of a sudden just switches to Arabic. Oh, yeah. To explain a complex concept.

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Or even just like classroom management, you know? Like, okay, quiet down everybody. Exactly. That kind of thing.

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That's a perfect example of what researchers call translanguaging. The seamless moving between languages. Okay.

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So, not just like translating. You're saying it's more like. It's a very fluid kind of movement.

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Right. Yeah. And they found tons of examples of this at AUB.

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Wow. Not just in lectures, but also in seminars, in group projects, even outdoor field work. Oh, wow.

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So, they really looked at a lot of different scenarios. Yeah. They were really in the thick of it.

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Wow. In the classrooms. Okay.

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So, it's not just about. Yeah. Textbook English.

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Yeah. It's really about. It's about navigating this dynamic linguistic environment.

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Right. Navigating all these different ways that language is being used. Exactly.

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Right. And this is where things get really interesting. Okay.

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The researchers identified three key themes. Okay. That challenge traditional views of language.

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Okay. In academic settings. I like it.

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So, we've got translanguaging, which we've just touched on. Right. Then, there are what they call ELF-oriented practices.

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ELF. Yeah. It stands for English as a lingua franca.

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Okay. So, these are. Like a common language.

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Right. A shared language. Got it.

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And so, these ELF-oriented practices are these creative communication strategies. Okay. That people use when English is everybody's second language.

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Or maybe even third language. Right. Right.

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Like they're coming from a variety of backgrounds. Exactly. So, they might invent new terms, for example.

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Oh, like I read about students describing a professor's like really insightful response as wow handling. Yeah. Isn't that great? That's great.

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I love it. Yeah. That's really cool.

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It is. It is. And then the third one.

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And finally, there's what they call meta-commentary about language. Okay. And this is where teachers and students.

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Great. Openly discuss which languages are okay to use. So, it's like a very flexible approach to language policies.

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Oh, interesting. Okay. So, for example, a student might ask, can I present this interview that I did in Arabic? And the professor might say, absolutely, go for it.

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Oh, wow. So, there's really this openness to different languages being used. Yeah.

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There's this kind of unspoken flexibility. Right. This recognition that communication is key.

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Yeah. Even if it means venturing beyond English sometimes. Yeah.

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That's really cool. Yeah. But how does this all connect back to the TOEFL? Right.

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Especially for people who are like. That's the crucial question. Yeah.

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Getting ready for it and prepping for it. This research really suggests. Yeah.

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That tests like the TOEFL with its emphasis on standardized English. Yeah. You know, very kind of formal and monologues.

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You're just speaking by yourself. Right. It might not fully capture the dynamic language skills that are needed in these environments.

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So, someone could like ace the TOEFL and still struggle. It's a possibility. In a real classroom.

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Think about the TOEFL speaking section, for example. Yeah. You're speaking solo into a microphone.

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Right. But in a real EMI classroom. There's negotiation.

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There's collaboration. There's understanding diverse accents. Yeah.

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You know, things that the TOEFL doesn't fully assess. Wow. Okay.

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So, that's a big gap then, potentially. Yeah. Between what the test is measuring and then what.

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Yeah. And what students actually need. Students need to be successful.

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Exactly. So, how do we bridge that gap? That's where technology comes in. Okay.

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Specifically AI. Right. Tools like MySpeakingScore.

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Okay. Empowered by SpeechRater are making a difference. Okay.

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This has already been used by over 100,000 students globally to practice. Wow. For the TOEFL speaking section.

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Wow. Okay. So, is this saying that like AI can help you get better.

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Yeah. At speaking naturally even with all these like. Even with those real world challenges.

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Yeah. Yeah. Tell me more.

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Imagine having an AI powered coach. Okay. That gives you instant feedback.

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Oh, wow. On your pronunciation. Yeah.

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Your fluency. Okay. And even how you structure your responses.

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Okay. That's pretty cool. Yeah.

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So, it's like having this personalized tutor. It is. It is.

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Who understands all these. Who understands these nuances. Yeah.

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Of speaking in these diverse environments. Very nicely. And it goes beyond just scoring.

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Right. It helps you understand these subtle aspects. Yeah.

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Of communication. Right. That are vital for real world interactions.

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Yeah. Okay. So.

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And this aligns perfectly with what we're seeing in these EMI settings. This is where I get really excited. All right.

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About the potential of AI. You know. Oh.

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It's not just about acing a test. Yeah. It's about.

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It's about those real skills. Yeah. It's about developing the skills for global communication.

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Right. Exactly. And that's so important today.

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Absolutely. It's about leveling the playing field. Making these advanced resources available to everyone.

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Regardless of their location or their financial background. That's right. This is what makes me so optimistic.

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Yeah. About the future of language learning. Yeah.

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Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah.

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And that's what makes this research so important. You know. It highlights this global challenge of like.

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How do we improve TOEFL scores. Right. In a way that truly reflects.

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You know. Real world communication. Right.

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Especially for students and adults. Right. Because it's almost like we're prepping students for one kind of game.

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And then. They show up. And it's totally different.

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Yeah. The rules have changed. Yeah.

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The rules are different. Yeah. So.

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What can we. I mean. Can we actually change the way these tests work.

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It's a massive undertaking. No doubt. Right.

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But what if we could tailor these tests. You know. Right.

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What if we could localize them to specific contexts. Yeah. Imagine a TOEFL that's specifically designed for students.

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Okay. Applying to say universities in the Middle East or Southeast Asia. Okay.

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Now you've got my attention. Yeah. How would that even work.

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So think about the listening section. Instead of just American or British accents. Right.

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It could include a variety of accents from that region. Oh wow. You know.

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Lebanese Arabic. Egyptian Arabic. Okay.

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All these influence. Right. How people speak English.

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Right. In those contexts. So you're exposed to that diversity.

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From the get go. Yeah. Right from the beginning.

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Yeah. So there's no more like getting thrown off by an unfamiliar accent. Right.

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Exactly. And then the speaking section. Okay.

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Instead of just monologues. Yeah. It could have tasks that are interactive.

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Okay. You know like a simulated classroom discussion. Now that would be a game changer.

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Right. Because let's be real. In a real classroom you're not just talking at people.

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Exactly. You're engaging. You're responding.

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You're maybe even debating. Exactly. And what about translanguaging.

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Okay. Instead of penalizing it. Right.

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What if the scoring actually rewarded students. Yeah. For strategically using their full linguistic repertoire.

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Whoa. That would totally change things. Right.

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It would like turn the whole standard English idea on its head. It would. But it makes sense though.

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Right. It does. Because in so many parts of the world using multiple languages.

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Yeah. Is just how communication happens. It's how people communicate.

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Yeah. Yeah. It's about recognizing that fluency isn't just about one language.

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Right. It's about navigating these diverse linguistic landscapes. Effectively.

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And being able to move between those. Exactly. Right.

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Yeah. And that's the kind of skill. Yeah.

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That will truly prepare students for success. Yeah. In globalized settings.

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This all sounds amazing. But like realistically. Yeah.

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Wouldn't overhauling these giant tests. Of course. Be like incredibly difficult.

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It would be incredibly difficult. Yeah. It would require immense effort and resources.

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Yeah. But I think the benefits in terms of fairness. Right.

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And accurately assessing students abilities. Right. Would far outweigh the challenges.

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Because in the end what matters is like giving students the tools they need. Exactly. To communicate effectively in the real world.

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It's a real world. Not just in a testing bubble. Not just for a test.

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Yeah. And while the testing world catches up. Right.

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Tools like my speaking score are bridging that gap. Okay. You know it's affordable.

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Yeah. It's accessible. Right.

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And it focuses on those real world communication skills. Yeah. Plus it gives students that personalized feedback.

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Right. Which can be so crucial. Yeah.

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For improvement. It's like having that personalized coaching. It is.

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But it's available to anyone anywhere. To anyone anywhere. That's right.

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It's the real power of AI I think. It is. It democratizes access.

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Yeah. To these resources. Yeah.

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Yeah. And it's not just about acing the TOEFL. Right.

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It's about building confidence. Reducing anxiety around speaking. Yeah.

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And ultimately empowering students. Right. To achieve their goals.

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This whole conversation has been really eye opening. It has. It makes you realize that English isn't just one thing.

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Yeah. It's this like dynamic evolving. It's this living breathing thing.

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That's constantly changing. Yeah. How we assess it.

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Needs to evolve too. Absolutely. Yeah.

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We need to move beyond this idea. Right. Of a single standard.

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Yeah. And recognize the richness. Yeah.

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And the complexity of English. Yeah. Because it's used around the world.

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And while we wait for the testing world to like fully embrace these ideas. Right. It's tools like MySpeakingScore.

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Yeah. That are paving the way. They are.

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They're showing us. Yeah. That it's possible.

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Yeah. To prepare students for the real world. Right.

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Not just for a test. That's a really powerful thing. And that's a powerful thing.

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Okay. So we've been talking about all this research. Yeah.

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On English medium instruction. Right. And how it like challenges our ideas.

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Yeah. About English proficiency. It really does make you think bigger picture, doesn't it? It does.

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Yeah. It's not just about the classroom. It's really about.

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It's about understanding. Yeah. The evolving role of English in a globalized world.

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Yeah. And for students. Yeah.

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You know, particularly those aiming for international education. It's about giving them the skills they need. Right.

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To succeed. To really succeed. Yeah.

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It's almost like we need to like shift our mindset a little. I understand. Instead of thinking of English as like this one standardized thing.

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This monolithic thing. Embrace the diversity. Embrace the diversity.

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The adaptability. Yeah. Yeah.

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Okay. And that's where I see the real power. Yeah.

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Of tools like MySpeakingScore. Okay. It's not just about teaching to the test.

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Right. It's about fostering those adaptive. Yeah.

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Communication skills. You mentioned earlier that over 100,000 students. Yeah.

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Have used this already. It's amazing. What kind of impact are you seeing? The feedback has been incredibly positive.

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Wow. Students really appreciate that personalized feedback. Yeah.

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That focus on pronunciation and fluency. Okay. The ability to practice in a low pressure environment.

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Right. Yeah. It's helping them build confidence.

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Yeah. Which is essential for any speaking task. Right.

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Whether it's an exam. Yeah. Or a real life interaction.

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I imagine reducing anxiety is a huge part of that. It is. When you feel more comfortable.

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When you feel more comfortable, you can express yourself more clearly. Right. Right.

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And more effectively. Yeah. That's what we want.

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Yeah. We want students who are not just proficient, but who are confident. Yeah.

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And effective communicators. Right. And who can do that.

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In diverse settings. Yeah. All these different settings.

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Exactly. It's about empowering them. Yeah.

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To navigate those complexities. Right. Of global communication.

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Whether they're in a university lecture hall. Exactly. Or collaborating on an international project.

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Right. Right. This research and the emergence of tools like MySpeakingScore.

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Yeah. Really highlight a crucial point, I think. Right.

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We're in the midst of a paradigm shift. Oh. In how we teach and assess English.

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It's not just about grammar rules anymore. No. Not at all.

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Or vocabulary. It's about understanding the nuances of language. Right.

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The cultural context. The dynamic interplay. Yeah.

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Of different linguistic styles. And it's about recognizing that technology. Yes.

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And specifically, AI can really play a role. A transformative role. Yeah.

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In all of this. It can make personalized learning accessible to everyone. Right.

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Regardless of their background or their location. So it's really about like democratizing access. It is.

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It is. All of this. To quality education.

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Yeah. And empowering students to become truly global citizens. Yeah.

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I love it. This has been a really fascinating deep dive, I think. It has.

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You know, we've gone from the specifics of English medium instruction. Right. To these broader implications for language learning and assessment.

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Yeah. In this globalized world. And I think the key takeaway for me is that.

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Yeah. We need to keep challenging the status quo. I agree.

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You know, keep pushing for innovation. Absolutely. Inclusivity.

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Yeah. And for a future where communication skills. Yes.

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Are valued. Yes. Not just for tests.

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Not just for tests. But for real life success. For real world success.

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Well said. Well that's a wrap on this episode. Yeah.

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Of the deep dive. It's been a pleasure. Thanks for joining us.