TOEFL Speaking (for the AI Era)
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.
Visit My Speaking Score: https://www.myspeakingscore.com/
TOEFL Speaking (for the AI Era)
Take The Headache Out Of TOEFL Speaking With YouTube Talk Shows
Struggling with TOEFL Speaking? What if binge-watching your favorite YouTube talk shows could be the key to acing it? Join us on this episode of the TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast as we explore groundbreaking research from the University of Surabon. Learn how English talk shows not only improve listening comprehension but also build real-world speaking confidence.
Discover the power of authentic materials and how combining them with AI tools like MySpeakingScore can revolutionize your preparation. Get ready to take the headache out of TOEFL Speaking while enjoying the journey!
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Have you ever thought that maybe like your Netflix binge could help you ace the TOEFL? Hmm.
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It sounds crazy, right? Yeah. But some new research suggests that English talk shows could be like a secret weapon. Oh, wow.
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Especially when it comes to the speaking section. Interesting. Yeah.
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So today we're diving into a study from the University of Surabon. Okay. In Indonesia.
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Indonesia. Yeah. And it explores how English talk show videos on YouTube can help boost listening comprehension.
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Interesting. Which is a skill that is super crucial for doing well on the TOEFL speaking section. Yeah.
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You know, this is a really important topic. Absolutely. Because for millions of people all around the world, the TOEFL is a major hurdle to overcome.
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Yeah, it's a big one. It's often a requirement for studying or working abroad. Right.
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And so many people struggle to get those scores that they need. Yeah, it's true. And I think a lot of people feel like those traditional test prep methods, like they just don't cut it.
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They don't work. They don't work. Yeah.
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So this research is interesting because it looks at the power of using authentic materials. Right. And by authentic materials, we mean things like movies, TV shows, podcasts.
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Right. Content that is created for native speakers, not really with language learners in mind. Exactly.
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Yeah. So instead of listening to these scripted dialogues in a textbook. Yeah.
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You're hearing English, like how it's actually used in conversations. Right. All the slang.
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All the different accents. All the different accents. Exactly.
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Yeah. So that exposure can be really valuable. Yeah, I think so too, because it really helps your brain get used to the natural flow and the rhythm of English.
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Yeah. I mean, think about it. When you watch a talk show, you're seeing how people interrupt each other.
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Right. How they use humor. Yeah.
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How they respond to different situations. Right. It's just a much more dynamic and engaging way to learn, I think.
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Oh, yeah. Absolutely. Yeah.
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And this study had two English education students. Okay. Actually, try this out.
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I'm curious, what was their experience like? Well, they were actually kind of skeptical at first. Oh, really? Yeah. That makes sense.
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They weren't really sure how just watching talk shows could help them prepare for a standardized test like the TOEFL. Yeah. But as they started watching, they realized that they were picking up on things that they hadn't really noticed before.
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Okay. They started to notice all the different regional accents within American English. Oh, that's interesting.
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Yeah. So they were not only kind of improving their listening comprehension, but they were also becoming more aware of all these subtle variations that exist within just one language. Wow.
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Yeah. And they said that it actually made them feel more confident in their own speaking because they were hearing these natural pronunciation patterns. And they realized that English doesn't have to be perfectly proper all the time.
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Oh, I could see how that would be a huge confidence booster, especially for people who are intimidated by the speaking section of the TOEFL. Especially, yeah. Yeah.
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And they also mentioned that they were picking up all this new vocabulary and these idioms that you wouldn't necessarily find in a textbook. Oh, wow. Yeah.
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They were learning slang and informal expressions that people use in everyday conversations, which is so important for real world fluency. That's a really good point. Yeah.
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It's like you're getting this crash course in how English is actually spoken. Yes. Not just how it's written in grammar books.
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Exactly. But I'm wondering, how did they make sure that they were actually learning from this and not just passively watching? So, that's where the connection to my speaking score comes in. Okay.
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This is a TOEFL speaking prep tool that's powered by SpeechRater AI. Okay. And it's actually being used by over 100,000 students worldwide.
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Wow. Okay. I've heard of SpeechRater.
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Yeah. That's the technology that gives you personalized feedback on your pronunciation and your fluency. Exactly.
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Wow. And in this case, it's being used to help students specifically target the skills that they need to improve for the TOEFL speaking section. So, just imagine this.
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Yeah. You watch a talk show. You pick up on some new phrases, maybe some new pronunciation patterns.
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Right. And then you practice speaking those phrases into my speaking score. Oh, wow.
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And then the AI will give you instant feedback on how you're doing. That's impressive. And that can help you pinpoint the areas where you need to maybe focus more.
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I can see how that combination of the authentic content- Yeah. And the AI feedback could be really powerful. It's very powerful.
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Especially, you know what's even more exciting about this is that- It's making these advanced learning resources accessible to people all over the world. Yeah. You don't need to live in a big city- Exactly.
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Or have access to these expensive tutors to benefit from this kind of personalized learning. Right. That's a game changer.
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It is. Especially for students in countries where access to quality English education is limited. Yeah, I think so too.
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It's really breaking down those global barriers. Yeah. Yeah, it really is.
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And you know what's so fascinating is that this goes beyond just the TOEFL. Right. This approach to language learning.
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Using those authentic materials and that AI-powered feedback- Right. Really has the potential to revolutionize how we learn all sorts of skills. I see what you mean.
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It's about finding ways to make learning engaging- Yeah. And personalized for everyone. Exactly.
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So going back to the study- Yeah. Did the researchers look into what kinds of talk shows were most effective? Yeah, they did. And one of the key takeaways was the importance of choosing talk shows that align with your interests.
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Okay. The students in the study specifically mentioned that they really enjoyed watching shows that had their favorite artists. Or shows that discussed topics that they were passionate about.
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That makes sense if you're actually interested in what you're watching. Yeah. You're going to be more engaged and more likely to pick up on new vocabulary and language patterns.
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Yeah. One student even said that they learned more about American culture and humor from watching talk shows than they did from any textbook. I know, right? They started to understand those subtle cultural references- Right.
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That can be so difficult to grasp when you're learning a language in a more formal setting. It's like you're immersing yourself- Yeah. In the language and culture without even realizing it.
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But wouldn't watching talk shows for TOEFL prep lack structure? How can learners ensure they're actually improving specific skills? Yeah, that's a great question. And that's where a tool like MySpeakingScore can be so helpful. Yep.
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It provides that structure and guidance by allowing you to practice specific speaking tasks that are really similar to what you'll find on the TOEFL. So you can get feedback on your pronunciation, your fluency, and your vocabulary usage. And it's all tailored to the demands of the test.
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So you're not just passively watching. Yeah. You're actively practicing and getting that personalized feedback- Right.
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That seems so much more effective- Yeah. Than just hoping that something will sink in by osmosis. Right.
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Did the students in the study talk about how MySpeakingScore impacted their learning? They did. And they said it was incredibly helpful for targeting their weaknesses and tracking their progress. Wow.
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One student even mentioned that the AI feedback- Uh-huh. Helped them identify a pronunciation error- Okay. That they had been making for years- Oh.
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Without realizing it. That's amazing. Yeah.
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It's like having a personal language coach in your pocket- Right. That can pinpoint those subtle errors that we might not even be aware of. I'm starting to see how this combination of the authentic content- And the AI feedback- Uh-huh.
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Could really be a game changer. It is. Especially for those who might not have access to traditional tutoring or language classes.
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Right. And I think that's what's so exciting about this research. It really highlights the potential of technology to make learning more accessible and effective for everyone.
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And it's not just about, you know, memorizing grammar rules and vocabulary lists. Right. It's about developing a deeper understanding of how the language is used- Yes.
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In real life situations. Exactly. It's about developing that fluency and confidence- Uh-huh.
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That allows you to communicate effectively in all sorts of different contexts. I can see how this approach could be really beneficial, even for those who aren't necessarily preparing for a test. Oh, absolutely.
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Like the POFL. Anyone who wants to improve their English listening and speaking skills could benefit from this. Yeah.
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Absolutely. It's like sneaking in a language lesson while you're watching your favorite shows. I love that.
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Right. Yeah. But what about those who might be feeling a little bit overwhelmed by the sheer amount of content that's available out there? Right.
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How do you even navigate the world of English talk shows? That's a great point. It can definitely feel overwhelming to know where to start. Yeah.
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My advice would be to begin with something that you're already interested in. Yeah. So you know, if you are a fan of music, look for talk shows that feature musical guests.
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Okay. Or if you're passionate about current events, there are tons of news-focused talk shows out there. So it's about finding that intersection between your interests- Yes.
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And your language learning goals. Exactly. And once you've found something that you enjoy- Yeah.
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You can start paying attention to the language. Right. Noting down new vocabulary- Yeah.
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And even trying to imitate the pronunciation patterns you hear. I love that. Right.
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And don't be afraid to experiment- Yeah. With different shows in different formats. You might be surprised at what you discover and how much you can learn from watching a talk show
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It really is a testament to the fact that learning can be fun and engaging. Absolutely. But for those who are specifically prepping for the TOEFL- Yeah.
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What advice would you give them? I would say don't underestimate the power of authentic materials. Okay. Talk shows can be a fantastic resource for improving listening comprehension and developing speaking skills.
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And don't be afraid to embrace technology. Yes. Tools like MySpeakingScore can provide that personalized feedback and guidance that can make a real difference in your preparation.
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It's all about finding what works for you- Yeah. And creating a routine that's both effective and enjoyable. So it sounds like the key takeaway here is that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to language learning.
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Definitely not. It's about finding what works for you- And using the resources that are available to you to make it a more enjoyable and effective process. And I think this research really challenges that idea that test prep has to be boring and stressful.
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Totally. It's like we're shifting away from that mindset of memorizing rules and vocabulary lists- Right. And moving towards more holistic understanding.
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A much deeper understanding. Yeah, a much deeper understanding of the language. Yeah, and I think this approach has the potential to benefit learners of all different levels.
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Uh-huh. Whether you're just starting out or you're already pretty proficient in English. So for our listeners out there who are maybe a little intimidated by the TOEFL or just the prospect of improving their English skills, what would you say to them? I would say don't be afraid to experiment and just find what works for you.
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Yeah. There are so many resources available now, from online platforms to authentic materials like we talked about, like talk shows. Right.
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And technology is playing a huge role in making those resources more accessible and personalized than ever before. Tools like my speaking score are using AI to provide that customized feedback and guidance, which can be so helpful for targeting your weaknesses and tracking your progress. It's almost like having a personal tutor.
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Yeah. Available 24-7. Exactly, and I think that's what makes this approach so promising.
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Yeah. It really empowers those learners to take control of their own education and create a learning experience that really fits their individual needs and goals. So whether you're, you know, dreaming of studying abroad or advancing your career.
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Yeah. Or simply just expanding your horizons. Uh-huh.
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Don't let the challenge of learning English hold you back. There are so many exciting possibilities out there. Yeah.
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And with the right approach and the right tools, you can achieve your language learning goals and unlock a whole new world of opportunities. I love that that's a fantastic note to end on. It is.
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Well, thank you so much for joining us on this deep dive into the world of English language learning. Thanks for having me. And for our listeners, remember the most important thing is to find what sparks your passion for learning and never stop exploring.
