The Science of Self-Belief in Cracking TOEFL Speaking

In this insightful episode of the TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast, we dive deep into the critical role of motivation and self-efficacy in mastering the TOEFL Speaking section. Drawing from groundbreaking research conducted in English Medium Instruction (EMI) classrooms, we explore the importance of believing in your abilities, fostering confidence, and staying motivated to achieve fluency.

Join us as we unpack:

• The connection between self-belief and success in English communication.
• How translanguaging bridges understanding and builds confidence in language learning.
• Why mindset and motivation matter more than perfection in speaking fluently.
• The transformative role of AI-powered tools like MySpeakingScore for personalized TOEFL Speaking practice.

Whether you're preparing for the TOEFL or enhancing your English communication skills, this episode is packed with practical tips and strategies to help you speak with confidence, clarity, and impact. Listen in and unlock your potential for global success!

Source

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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

(0:01 - 0:15) 
Motivation and self-efficacy were the real stars. Students who believed in their ability to learn in English, and who were genuinely motivated to do so, were the ones who really thrived. So mindset matters.

(0:15 - 0:24)
Mindset really matters. Yeah, it's not just about your English level, it's about your attitude and that belief in yourself. That's a really powerful message for anyone.

(0:28 - 0:49)
This is the TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast for the AI era. So let's dive into some fascinating research about what it's really like for students to study complex subjects entirely in English, even when it's not their first language. So imagine attending a university where every class is in English, from tourism to finance.

(0:50 - 1:12)
That's the reality. At this private university in Istanbul, that was the focus of a study published in the journal system. And this actually reflects a global trend, especially among private institutions, aiming to attract international students and prepare their graduates for a more globalized workforce.

(1:12 - 1:20)
It's a real pressure cooker for a lot of students. I can imagine. To even get into these English medium instruction programs.

(1:20 - 1:25)
Oh yeah, EMI. Right, EMI as they're called. They need to prove their English skills.

(1:25 - 1:42)
Of course. Often through really rigorous exams like the TOEFL or completing a really intensive English prep program. So this study zeroed in on students who had already cleared that hurdle, meaning they were at least on paper ready for academic life in English.

(1:43 - 1:54)
But here's the catch. What's that? The researchers found that even these students still faced a ton of language related challenges in their courses. Interesting.

(1:54 - 2:10)
What's fascinating here is that this study went beyond just listing the challenges. They actually tried to pinpoint what factors best predict how much students struggle. So like what really makes or breaks it for them? Exactly.

(2:10 - 2:18)
Wow. Okay, so it's like a detective story. They're looking for clues to crack the code of success in these EMI programs.

(2:19 - 2:33)
So what were some of those clues? Well, they analyzed over 500 student questionnaires. They conducted interviews and even held focus groups with teachers and students in the social sciences faculty. So they really wanted to get a complete picture.

(2:33 - 2:36)
A holistic view. Yes. Of the EMI experience.

(2:36 - 2:49)
So they weren't just looking at test scores or grades, but really trying to understand the lived experiences. Yeah, the nitty gritty of these students. And through all of that data, they zeroed in on three key factors.

(2:49 - 3:05)
Okay. All ears. Students' motivation, their confidence in using English, which is technically called self-efficacy, and how much English was actually used in the classroom versus their native language.

(3:05 - 3:08)
Interesting. Which in this case was Turkish. Got it.

(3:08 - 3:10)
Okay. Let's unpack those. Sounds good.

(3:10 - 3:17)
Starting with motivation. Yeah. I mean, it makes sense that someone who's really driven to learn is going to have a smoother ride.

(3:17 - 3:23)
Absolutely. But it's more nuanced than that, right? Yeah. It's not just this general desire to learn English.

(3:24 - 3:51)
The researchers actually looked at things, like students' belief in their own English abilities, how much effort they were willing to put into their studies, and even their motivation to learn the specific subject matter, not just the language itself. So it's not just, I love English. It's more like, I'm passionate about becoming top-notch engineer, and mastering English is essential for that.

(3:51 - 3:58)
Exactly. Okay. And that actually segues nicely into that second factor, self-efficacy.

(3:58 - 4:18)
So it's about believing in your ability to use English effectively, especially for those demanding academic tasks. So it's not just about being good at English grammar. It's that deeper confidence in being able to write a stellar research paper in English, or nail a presentation.

(4:19 - 4:25)
You got it. And you can see how motivation and self-efficacy really intertwine. They're really connected.

(4:26 - 4:35)
If you believe you can do it, and you're motivated to put in the effort, you're more likely to persist even when things get tough. Absolutely. You're going to push through.

(4:35 - 4:57)
Now the third factor, the amount of English used in the classroom. I'm curious, did they find that more English equals fewer challenges? You might think so, but here's where things get really interesting. They found that simply using more English in class didn't necessarily mean students struggled less.

(4:58 - 5:15)
Really? Yeah. The interviews and focus groups, what we call the qualitative data, actually revealed a much more complex picture. So what was going on? Were the students just not understanding the material? Well, teachers reported that students often hesitated to even speak up in class.

(5:15 - 5:23)
Oh, wow. Even if they understood what was being said. They seemed to lack the confidence to actively participate in English.

(5:23 - 5:26)
That makes sense. Yeah. It can be really intimidating to speak up.

(5:26 - 5:32)
Absolutely. In a language that you're still learning, especially in an academic setting. Especially in a setting like that.

(5:32 - 5:39)
So even if they have the skills, they weren't necessarily comfortable using them. Exactly. And that's where this concept of translanguaging comes in.

(5:39 - 6:01)
So teachers would often use a blend of Turkish and English strategically to help students grasp those more difficult concepts and encourage them to participate. So using the native language as a bridge to help students understand the material and eventually become more comfortable using English. Exactly.

(6:01 - 6:05)
I'd love to hear more about how that works in practice. Sure. Can you give us an example? Absolutely.

(6:05 - 6:11)
Okay. Let's say a professor is explaining a really complex theory in a sociology class. Got it.

(6:11 - 6:32)
So they might start by explaining the key terms in English, but then provide a quick summary or clarification in Turkish just to make sure everyone is on the same page. I see. Or if a student asks a question in Turkish, the professor might respond in Turkish, but then rephrase that question and answer in English.

(6:32 - 6:36)
Got it. So everybody benefits. So it's about meeting students where they are.

(6:36 - 6:38)
Exactly. Linguistically. Yeah.

(6:38 - 6:43)
And then gradually guiding them towards greater fluency in English. Yes. That makes a lot of sense.

(6:43 - 7:16)
It seems to work pretty well. But I'm curious, out of those three factors, motivation, self-efficacy, and the amount of English used, which one did the researchers find was the most impactful on students? Well, after crunching all that data, it turned out that motivation and self-efficacy were the real stars. Students who believed in their ability to learn in English and who were genuinely motivated to do so were the ones who really thrived.

(7:16 - 7:25)
And this was actually true regardless of how much English was spoken in the classroom. So mindset matters. Mindset really matters.

(7:25 - 7:27)
Yeah. It's not just about your English level. Yeah.

(7:27 - 7:30)
It's about your attitude. Absolutely. And that belief in yourself.

(7:31 - 7:39)
That's a really powerful message for anyone learning a new language. Absolutely. Not just these students in these EMI programs.

(7:40 - 7:49)
This research has implications for how we approach language learning and test preparation in general. Right. Especially for high-stakes exams like the TOEFL.

(7:49 - 8:00)
Oh, definitely. That's right. Because even students who are comfortable using English in everyday life often find the TOEFL speaking section to be the most challenging part of the exam.

(8:00 - 8:12)
For sure. Imagine the pressure of having to speak fluently and coherently on a variety of topics, all while being judged by an examiner. It's a lot.

(8:12 - 8:26)
It's a high-pressure situation. Absolutely. And for many test takers, their speaking score can really make or break their chances of getting into their dream university or landing a competitive job.

(8:26 - 8:35)
It's a big deal. It's not just about knowing the grammar rules or having a wide vocabulary. It's about having the confidence to speak up clearly and effectively.

(8:36 - 8:46)
For sure. Which is exactly what this research highlighted as a major challenge for those EMI students. And that's where I think the role of technology and AI could be really transformative.

(8:47 - 8:55)
You're on the right track. Okay, good. This is where AI-powered tools like MySpeakingScore are really coming into their own.

(8:55 - 9:01)
They're really making a difference. It's a game changer for TOEFL speaking preparation. Absolutely.

(9:01 - 9:12)
MySpeakingScore, the one powered by SpeechRater, that's already helped over 100,000 students prepare for the TOEFL. That's incredible. I've heard great things.

(9:12 - 9:27)
Yeah. How does it actually work? What sets it apart from simply recording yourself and listening back? Well, the magic is in the AI. MySpeakingScore uses SpeechRater, which is a very sophisticated speech recognition and analysis engine.

(9:28 - 9:42)
It doesn't just transcribe your speech, it dissects it. Analyzing things like pronunciation, intonation, pacing, grammar, and vocabulary. So it's like having a virtual TOEFL examiner right in your pocket.

(9:43 - 9:48)
Right there with you. Providing personalized feedback on all those crucial aspects of speaking. Yeah, it's really helpful.

(9:48 - 10:03)
That's the beauty of it. You can practice responding to actual TOEFL-style prompts, receive detailed feedback from the AI, and then use that feedback to target specific areas for improvement. Exactly.

(10:03 - 10:20)
This reminds me of that research we were just discussing. Those students in the EMI programs were struggling to speak confidently and to use more complex vocabulary, and MySpeakingScore is directly addressing those challenges. In the context of TOEFL prep.

(10:20 - 10:25)
Yeah, it's bridging the gap. It's like bridging the gap. Between research and practical application.

(10:26 - 10:36)
That's exactly right. And by using AI, it makes these advanced learning tools and resources accessible to anyone, anywhere in the world. That's amazing.

(10:36 - 10:47)
You don't need to be enrolled in an expensive language program or have access to private tutors. To benefit from this kind of cutting-edge technology. Exactly.

(10:47 - 10:55)
That's a game changer for so many students. Yeah, it levels the playing field. Especially in countries where English isn't the dominant language.

(10:55 - 11:10)
Absolutely. It really levels the playing field. It empowers learners to take control of their TOEFL journey, to build confidence, to develop those essential communication skills that are so highly valued in today's globalized world.

(11:10 - 11:20)
And those skills go far beyond just acing the TOEFL. Oh, for sure. They're essential for success in international business academia and so many other fields.

(11:21 - 11:32)
It opens up so many doors. This brings us back to those broader implications of the EMI research. It underscores the need for a more holistic approach to language learning.

(11:32 - 11:43)
Absolutely. One that goes beyond just focusing on grammatical accuracy or rote memorization. Yeah, we need to be fostering that deeper sense of confidence and motivation.

(11:43 - 11:55)
So we're not just teaching students about English, but we're teaching them how to learn and use the language effectively in real-world contexts. In real life. Exactly.

(11:55 - 12:17)
Now, before we wrap things up, I want to circle back to that concept of translanguaging. It seemed like there was a bit of a balancing act going on in those EMI classrooms, using English as the primary mode of instruction, but also strategically incorporating the students' native language. Yes.

(12:17 - 12:23)
Can you talk a bit more about the pros and cons of that approach? Absolutely. It sounds like a delicate dance. It is. 

(12:23 - 12:53)
Trying to find that right balance between supporting students with their native language, but also pushing them to develop their English fluency. What are some of the benefits of incorporating translanguaging? One of the biggest benefits is that it can help students grasp complex concepts or technical vocabulary more easily. So imagine trying to learn about advanced physics or philosophy, all in a language that you're still getting comfortable with.

(12:53 - 13:06)
It can feel overwhelming. You would. So, translanguaging allows teachers to bridge that gap between what students already understand in their first language and what they're learning in English.

(13:06 - 13:13)
So it's like building a bridge between two worlds. Exactly. Helping them make those connections and develop a deeper understanding of the material.

(13:13 - 13:27)
That's the idea. And it can also foster a more inclusive learning environment, where students feel more comfortable participating and asking questions, even if their English isn't perfect. It takes pressure.

(13:27 - 13:37)
Creating that psychological safety is so crucial for effective learning. Absolutely. But you mentioned there were some potential downsides to translanguaging as well.

(13:38 - 13:50)
There are a few. Could leaning too much on the native language actually hinder students' progress in English? It could. So is it a balancing act? It really is a balancing act.

(13:51 - 14:30)
So while translanguaging can be a powerful tool, especially in those early stages, the ultimate goal is for students to become proficient and confident communicators in English. So teachers need to be mindful of how and when they incorporate the native language, and making sure that students are still getting ample opportunities to practice and develop their English skills. So it's not about simply translating everything, but rather using the native language strategically to support understanding, and then gradually shifting the emphasis towards English as students progress.

(14:30 - 14:35)
It's all about that gradual shift. It requires careful planning. It does.

(14:35 - 14:43)
And sensitivity to the individual needs of the learners. Absolutely. And it highlights the crucial role of the teacher in these EMI programs.

(14:44 - 14:51)
They're really key. They're not just delivering content. They're navigating these complex linguistic and cultural dynamics.

(14:51 - 15:04)
And creating that learning environment that's both challenging and supportive. Speaking of challenges and support, let's bring this back to the world of TOEFL prep. Especially that daunting speaking section.

(15:04 - 15:20)
Yeah, it can be a tough one. We've talked about the importance of motivation, self-efficacy, the potential benefits of translanguaging, and those exciting advancements in those AI-powered tools like MySpeakingScore. It's a game changer.

(15:20 - 15:43)
But for those listeners out there who are getting ready to take the TOEFL, what are some concrete steps they can take right now to improve their speaking fluency and confidence? So I think a lot of test takers get caught up in this idea of sounding perfect. Right. You know, flawless pronunciation, a huge vocabulary, no grammatical errors.

(15:43 - 15:45)
Like a robot. Uh-huh. Yeah, exactly.

(15:45 - 15:51)
But remember, the TOEFL examiners aren't looking for robotic perfection. They're not. They're looking for effective communication.

(15:51 - 15:59)
Right. Being able to get your ideas across. So it's more about conveying your ideas clearly and coherently than sounding like a native speaker.

(15:59 - 16:11)
And my first tip would be to ditch that pressure. Sound perfect and focus on practicing speaking in a way that feels natural and authentic to you. That makes sense.

(16:11 - 16:27)
So choose topics that you genuinely enjoy talking about. Your hobbies, your favorite books, current events, you know your dreams for the future. When you're passionate about a topic, the words tend to flow more easily.

(16:27 - 16:33)
I do. It's like when you're chatting with friends about something you love, you don't overthink every word. Exactly.

(16:34 - 16:37)
Or worry about making a mistake. And of course, practice makes perfect. Right.

(16:37 - 16:40)
Or at least progress. We'll take progress. Uh-huh.

(16:40 - 16:46)
So don't be afraid to record yourself speaking. And then listen back. I know it can be a little cringy at first.

(16:47 - 16:57)
It can. But it's one of the best ways to identify any habits or pronunciation patterns that you might not even be aware of. It's like holding up a mirror to your own speech.

(16:58 - 17:07)
Exactly. And those AI-powered tools that we talked about, like MySpeakingScore, can provide even more detailed feedback. They can.

(17:07 - 17:10)
It's like having a personalized speaking coach. It is. Available 24-7.

(17:11 - 17:17)
Right there in your pocket. And the beauty of it is that you can practice at your own pace. In your own time.

(17:17 - 17:24)
In the comfort of your own home. Whenever you want. That kind of accessibility and personalized guidance is a game changer.

(17:24 - 17:35)
It is. Especially for students who might not have access to traditional language learning resources. And remember the skills you develop while preparing for the TOEFL will serve you well.

(17:35 - 17:38)
Okay. Far beyond the exam itself. Right.

(17:38 - 17:46)
You're building confidence, fluency. Yeah. And a deeper understanding of the English language, which will open doors to all sorts of opportunities.

(17:47 - 17:50)
In a globalized world. Absolutely. This has been such an insightful deep dive.

(17:51 - 18:06)
I've enjoyed it. We've learned so much about the challenges and triumphs of learning in English, the importance of motivation, self-efficacy, and all those exciting ways that AI is transforming language learning. It's really amazing.

(18:06 - 18:09)
And test preparation. I agree. Well, on that note.

(18:09 - 18:12)
Okay. I think it's time for us to wrap up this episode. Sounds good.

(18:12 - 18:18)
A huge thank you to our expert guest. You're welcome. For sharing your insights and expertise.

(18:18 - 18:26)
It was my pleasure. And to all of you listening out there, remember that language learning is a journey. It is.

(18:26 - 18:37)
Not a destination. Right. Embrace the challenges, celebrate the small wins, and never stop believing in your ability to communicate your unique voice with the world.

(18:37 - 18:48)
I love that. And if you're gearing up for the TOEFL, remember there are amazing resources like my speaking score available to support you every step of the way. Absolutely.

(18:49 - 18:57)
So go out there, practice with confidence, and unlock your global potential. I love it. That's it for this episode of the Deep Dive.

(18:57 - 18:59)
Great. Thanks for joining us. See you next time.

(18:59 - 19:03)
We'll catch you next time for another fascinating exploration of knowledge and ideas.