Why Talking to Native Speakers Boosts Your TOEFL Speaking Score

In this episode of the TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast, we dive into fascinating research that reveals why talking to native speakers can make a big difference in improving your TOEFL Speaking score. We explore how immersion, authentic conversations, and real-world feedback help learners build fluency, confidence, and natural pronunciation.

We also uncover key insights from a study comparing students in U.S. and Chinese learning environments, showing how activities like speaking clubs and informal conversations contribute to better speaking outcomes. Discover why tools like MySpeakingScore, powered by SpeechRater AI, are revolutionizing test prep with tailored feedback and accessible resources.

Learn practical strategies to combine structured practice with real-world interactions, break through speaking plateaus, and approach TOEFL prep with confidence. Whether you're aiming for a top TOEFL score or striving for long-term English mastery, this episode provides actionable takeaways to help you thrive.

Source

Free TOEFL Speaking practice:

• My Speaking Score

Free resources:

• TOEFL Speaking Course
• SpeechRater Blog
• SpeechRater Knowledge Base

Social:

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• Subscribe on YouTube

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

Transcript

All right. So this research paper you sent over.

(0:28 - 0:41)
Yeah. Do TOEFL IBT scores reflect improvement in English language proficiency? Extending the TOEFL IBT validity argument. This is the deep dive.

(0:41 - 0:52)
So we're going to get into this really interesting stuff here about how people learn English. And it's especially important for those considering the TOEFL. Yeah.

(0:52 - 1:07)
I think it tackles a really important question. You know, does a higher TOEFL score actually mean someone's English has improved? Like not just that they're good at taking a test, but that they can actually use the language better. Like that's the big question.

(1:07 - 1:10)
Right. Yeah. And they didn't just look at scores just by themselves.

(1:10 - 1:14)
Right. They studied students in intensive English programs. Exactly.

(1:14 - 1:22)
Both in the U.S. and in China. Which I think is really interesting. You get to see how different learning environments impact progress.

(1:22 - 1:29)
Totally. And what was really cool is they found that students in both countries showed really significant improvement. That's great.

(1:29 - 1:39)
Especially in their reading and listening scores. Wow. Now, granted, these were based on practice TOEFL tests, but those are designed to closely mirror the real exam.

(1:39 - 1:47)
Right. Yeah. So it's a pretty good indicator that if you're putting in the work, your scores are likely to go up.

(1:47 - 1:53)
And more importantly, your actual English skills are probably improving too. Exactly. That's got to be encouraging.

(1:54 - 1:57)
Oh, absolutely. For anyone prepping for the TOEFL, I would think. For sure.

(1:58 - 2:12)
But, you know, as you kind of hinted at, the story gets a little more interesting when you look at the U.S. versus China results. This is where it gets interesting. The U.S. students saw much bigger jumps in their speaking and writing scores.

(2:12 - 2:24)
Really? And the researchers suggested this might be because they were immersed in an English-speaking environment, you know, needing to use the language constantly for daily communication. Yeah. That makes total sense.

(2:24 - 2:30)
Right. Like, if you're surrounded by it all the time and you have to speak it and write it, you're just going to get better. Right? Absolutely.

(2:30 - 2:35)
Like that saying, the best way to learn to swim is to jump in the pool. You know? Exactly. Yeah.

(2:35 - 2:40)
You've got to get in there. But the Chinese students had a different kind of win. Okay.

(2:40 - 2:54)
They excelled in rating and listening, which implies that their programs might have emphasized those receptive skills more. I see. So, even without being constantly surrounded by English, they still made impressive progress.

(2:55 - 3:04)
That's really key for anyone learning English, no matter where they are. Right? It shows that different learning approaches can be effective. Absolutely.

(3:04 - 3:10)
It's not just about being in an English-speaking country. It's about how you engage with the language. I agree.

(3:10 - 3:16)
And that leads us to another one of their kind of fascinating findings. Yeah. About activities outside the classroom.

(3:17 - 3:31)
This part was particularly interesting to me. Oh, really? Yeah. The study found that students who went the extra mile, things like reading English books, watching movies, or even talking with native speakers, saw more noticeable improvement in their scores.

(3:31 - 3:36)
So, it's not just about hitting the books. Right. It's about living the language, which is important.

(3:36 - 3:42)
Absolutely. Yeah. And this is where I think technology can really play a big role, especially with tools like My Speaking Score.

(3:43 - 3:44)
Yeah. Yeah. My Speaking Score.

(3:44 - 3:57)
This is a great example of how AI is really changing the game in education and test prep. It's like, imagine a personalized TOEFL tutor that's available all the time. Exactly.

(3:58 - 4:10)
And it's powered by this incredible AI engine called SpeechRater, right? Yes. It actually analyzes your speaking, tells you where you need to improve, and gives you feedback tailored to your performance. Yeah.

(4:10 - 4:21)
So, that's something that used to be just totally inaccessible to most people, and now over 100,000 students have used My Speaking Score to prepare for the TOEFL. Wow. So, that says a lot about its impact.

(4:22 - 4:34)
Yeah. This kind of technology is really leveling the playing field, making high-quality test prep accessible to learners globally, no matter where they are or what resources they have. For sure.

(4:34 - 4:49)
And that's got to be game-changing for a lot of people, especially when you think about the TOEFL speaking section, right? Yeah. It's one of the most challenging parts of the test for many, and often where scores lag behind. Right.

(4:49 - 5:07)
So, it makes you wonder, how can we take what we've learned from this research about different learning styles, the importance of practice, and the power of AI, and apply it to help people specifically improve their TOEFL speaking scores? That's a great question. Yeah. And I think the research gives us some good clues.

(5:07 - 5:09)
Okay. Well, let's get into it. Yeah.

(5:09 - 5:32)
For sure. So, remember how we talked about those extracurricular activities, the things you do outside of class, beyond textbooks and drills? Well, when it comes to speaking, the research found that certain activities had a noticeable impact on scores. Like actually talking to native English speakers? Yes.

(5:32 - 5:43)
That seems kind of obvious, but did the research really back that out? It did. Really? Students who said they regularly practiced speaking with native speakers saw bigger improvements in their speaking scores. Wow.

(5:44 - 5:52)
That's pretty cool. It makes sense. You know, you're getting real-world feedback, exposure to natural pronunciation, and the flow of conversation.

(5:52 - 5:54)
That's interesting. Yeah. So, I'm curious.

(5:54 - 6:19)
Like, did they get the specifics? Like, did they say, you know, what types of conversations helped? Like does it have to be formal, or can just casual chatting make a difference? You know, the research didn't get that granular, but I think the key is just using the language authentically. Right. You know, even casual interactions can help you pick up new words, idioms, those subtle ways native speakers express themselves.

(6:19 - 6:26)
I see. So, just finding ways to use English in real life, you know, situations beyond the classroom can really boost those speaking skills. Absolutely.

(6:27 - 6:48)
What about those, you know, English clubs or conversation groups? Did those have any impact? Those did too. Participating in English clubs was another activity that showed a positive link to better speaking scores. So maybe it's, like, a more relaxed setting to practice, maybe with people at a similar level.

(6:48 - 6:51)
Exactly. And that can help build confidence. Yeah.

(6:51 - 6:53)
Confidence is huge. Huge, right. Yeah.

(6:53 - 7:06)
I mean, for anything, but especially when it comes to, you know, speaking a language. You could get it in any language, but yeah. If you're comfortable, if you're confident, you're more likely to, like, try new things, make mistakes, and ultimately learn faster.

(7:06 - 7:12)
Right. Yeah. And that brings us to a little bit of a head scratcher here.

(7:12 - 7:29)
Oh, really? Remember we talked about how active engagement is important? Well, there was one activity that actually had a negative correlation with speaking scores. What was that? Reading aloud in English. Wait, really? Yeah, surprising, right? That's so interesting.

(7:29 - 7:34)
You would think reading out loud would help with pronunciation, all this, and all that. You would think. Yeah.

(7:35 - 7:50)
The researchers didn't offer a definitive explanation, but there are a few possibilities. Like what? Maybe students who heavily focus on reading aloud are neglecting other important aspects of speaking. I see.

(7:51 - 8:02)
Like natural intonation or engaging in, you know, back and forth conversation. Yeah, they might sound great reading from a page, but then when it comes to actually communicating. Right, yeah.

(8:02 - 8:07)
It's like practicing a speech versus having a conversation. Exactly. Yeah, that's a great way to put it.

(8:08 - 8:21)
And another factor could be just, like, the lack of interaction and feedback when you're just reading to yourself. You're not getting that, you know, real world input to help you adjust and improve. Exactly, yeah.

(8:21 - 8:29)
So reading aloud can be a tool, but it shouldn't be the only strategy. For sure. Variety is key, right? Like anything.

(8:29 - 8:33)
As with any skill, I guess. But let's bring this back to TOEFL prep specifically. Okay.

(8:33 - 8:59)
We've got all these insights from the research, and then we've got these amazing AI tools like My Speaking Score. How do these all kind of fit together for someone who's, you know, aiming for a top TOEFL score? It's about finding the right balance. My Speaking Score can be a game changer for personalized feedback, targeted practice, but technology alone isn't enough.

(8:59 - 9:03)
It's not like a magic bullet. No, you still got to put in the work. Yeah, exactly.

(9:03 - 9:20)
You know, the most effective TOEFL prep combines different approaches. So you've got your focus practice using tools like My Speaking Score to hone your skills. Then you've got those extracurricular activities we talked about, finding opportunities to use English authentically in real-life situations.

(9:21 - 9:24)
So it's like a two-pronged approach. It is, yeah. Structured learning.

(9:24 - 9:29)
Right. And then, like, real-world practice kind of working together. Exactly.

(9:29 - 9:49)
And that applies to any language learner, whether you're prepping for an exam or just want to, you know, communicate more confidently. Yeah, that's a great point. But there's another piece we haven't really touched on yet, and I think it's crucial, especially when it comes to something as high-stakes as the TOEFL, the kind of the psychological aspect of it.

(9:49 - 9:50)
A mental game. Yeah. Yeah.

(9:50 - 10:00)
You mean, like, confidence and motivation? Absolutely. Like, those things definitely play a role in, you know, how well we learn. Huge role.

(10:00 - 10:10)
Did the research actually look into that at all? You know, they didn't specifically measure those factors, but it's clear they're incredibly important. Yeah. Think about it.

(10:10 - 10:20)
If you're feeling anxious, discouraged about your English, you're less likely to put yourself out there and practice speaking. Of course. Right? And the less you practice, the less confident you feel.

(10:21 - 10:24)
Exactly. It can become this, like, vicious cycle. It really can.

(10:24 - 10:26)
Oh. Yeah. I've definitely been there.

(10:26 - 10:32)
Yeah. With learning new things, I mean, feeling overwhelmed can just make it so hard to even get started. For sure.

(10:32 - 10:40)
How do we break that cycle? Well, one thing that really helps is setting realistic goals. Okay. Don't aim for perfection from day one.

(10:41- 10:54)
Instead, focus on making small, achievable improvements and celebrate those wins along the way. So, like, recognizing those small steps forward, even if they seem, like, insignificant at the time. Exactly.

(10:55 - 10:57)
Because they add up over time. It all adds up. Yeah.

(10:57 - 11:06)
What about finding, like, a support system? Does that play a role too? A huge role. Yeah. Surrounding yourself with a community of language learners can be incredibly helpful.

(11:06 - 11:11)
So, like, a study group. Yeah. A study group.

(11:11 - 11:15)
Or even just, like, an online forum. Right. Online forum.

(11:15 - 11:18)
Or even just a friend who's also learning English. Yeah. I mean, it can be anything.

(11:18 - 11:24)
Just having someone to, like, share your experiences with, share your challenges with. It gives you encouragement. Right.

(11:24 - 11:29)
Accountability. A sense of belonging, right? Like, we're all in this together. Exactly.

(11:29 - 11:32)
Yeah. Knowing you're not alone can make a huge difference. It really can.

(11:33 - 11:36)
Okay. So, we talked about the importance of practice. Yeah.

(11:36 - 11:41)
Both structured and, you know, real world. We've talked about the kind of mental game. Right.

(11:41 - 11:44)
Confidence, motivation. Right. Finding support.

(11:44 - 11:51)
Yeah. But there's this, like, bigger question kind of looming, and I'm dying to get your take on it. Yeah.

(11:52 - 12:10)
With AI becoming so prevalent, what do you think the future holds for language learning and TOEFL prep? That's a great question. Are robots going to be teaching us English soon? That's a great question, and one that a lot of people are thinking about. Yeah.

(12:10 - 12:19)
You know, the possibilities with AI are truly exciting, but we need to approach them thoughtfully. Okay. There are potential benefits and challenges to consider.

(12:19 - 12:31)
So, let's break it down. Like, what are some of the positive things you see happening with AI in language learning? Well, one of the biggest advantages is the potential for truly personalized learning experiences. Right.

(12:31 - 12:39)
We've already seen a glimpse of that with my speaking score. It provides feedback tailored to your specific strengths and weaknesses. Yeah.

(12:39 - 12:47)
Which is something traditional classrooms often struggle to do. So, it's like having a personal tutor who knows exactly what you need to work on. Exactly.

(12:47 - 12:54)
Yeah. And as AI keeps evolving, I imagine, those tools are just going to become even more sophisticated. Oh, yeah.

(12:54 - 12:57)
Adapting to individual learning styles. Right. And preferences.

(12:57 - 13:03)
It's like having a custom-designed language learning program in your pocket. Wow. Yeah.

(13:03 - 13:14)
And this kind of personalization can be, like, a game-changer. Absolutely. Especially for learners who, like, might not thrive in a one-size-fits-all classroom environment.

(13:15 - 13:19)
Yeah, exactly. I'm thinking about, like, students with learning disabilities. Right.

(13:19 - 13:27)
Or those who need, like, more flexible learning options. It seems like AI could really, like, open doors for them. What about accessibility? Accessibility.

(13:27 - 13:36)
We've touched on this a little bit, but it seems like AI could make, you know high-quality language resources... Right. ...available to a much wider audience. It already is.

(13:36 - 13:42)
Really? My speaking score is a perfect example. Yeah. Anyone with an internet connection can access this powerful tool... Wow.

(13:42 - 13:53)
Regardless of their location or socioeconomic background. So, it's like a huge step towards democratizing education... Yeah. ...and breaking down those barriers to opportunity.

(13:53 - 13:56)
There you go. That's what gets me excited about this technology. Yeah.

(13:56 - 14:03)
It's about, like, empowering people... Yeah. ...giving them the tools to succeed... Mm-hmm. ...regardless of where they come from.

(14:03 - 14:16)
Absolutely. But you said there were challenges, too, right? Yeah. What are some of the concerns you have about AI in language learning? One thing that worries me is the potential for over-reliance on technology.

(14:16 - 14:27)
Okay. If we're constantly interacting with machines... Mm-hmm. ...are we losing those crucial human interactions and social skills that are so important? For effective communication.

(14:28 - 14:31)
It's like anything else. Yeah. It's about finding that balance.

(14:32 - 14:39)
Yeah. Right? Like, using AI as a tool to enhance learning... Mm-hmm. ...but not letting it replace human connection altogether.

(14:39 - 14:41)
For sure. Yeah. And then there's the issue of bias.

(14:42 - 14:47)
Oh, yeah. AI algorithms are trained on massive data sets. Right.

(14:47 - 14:58)
And if those data sets contain biases... Mm-hmm. ...those biases can be reflected in the algorithms themselves. So, for example, if an AI language tool is primarily trained on, you know... Right.

(14:58 - 15:06)
Data from native English speakers in the US... Yeah. ...it might not be as effective for learners with different accents or dialects. Exactly.

(15:06 - 15:10)
Yeah. And that could create unfair disadvantages for certain groups of learners. Of course.

(15:10 - 15:20)
So, we need to be very conscious... ...about developing and using AI tools in an equitable and inclusive way. Which means ongoing research... Right. ...critical evaluation... Mm-hmm.

(15:20 - 15:26)
And a commitment to, like, diversity... Yeah. ...and representation in AI development. Absolutely.

(15:26 - 15:30)
It's a complex landscape. It is. But it sounds like we're just at the beginning of this journey.

(15:30 - 15:35)
We are. We're just getting started. The future of language learning... ...and TOEFL prep is going to be fascinating to watch unfold.

(15:35 - 15:41)
It absolutely is. And it's going to require, like, collaboration... Uh-huh. ...between educators... Right.

(15:42 - 15:45)
Researchers... Mm-hmm. ...technology developers... Right. ...and learners themselves.

(15:45 - 15:55)
We all need to be part of the conversation shaping how AI is used to enhance language learning, not detract from it. Okay. So, we've explored this research.

(15:55 - 16:03)
We've talked about the power of practice... Mm-hmm. ...the importance of mindset... Right. ...and we've delved into the potential... Yeah.

(16:03 - 16:08)
And the pitfalls... Mm-hmm. ...of AI in education. It's a lot.

(16:08 - 16:13)
I feel like we've covered a lot of ground. We have. But before we wrap up, is there anything else you want to, like... Yeah.

(16:13 - 16:23)
Highlight, any... Sure. ...key takeaways for our listener? Yeah, absolutely. I think one of the, you know, biggest takeaways for me is this idea that... Yeah.

(16:23 - 16:35)
Improvement is possible. You know, this research shows that no matter where you're starting from... Mm-hmm. ...with the right effort and strategies, you can boost your English proficiency... Yeah.

(16:35 - 16:41)
And in turn, your TOEFL score. Oh, of course. But before we get too carried away... Right.

(16:41 - 16:43)
It's always good to be a little critical. Oh, yeah. Absolutely.

(16:44 - 16:49)
Always. Are there any limitations to this study... Mm-hmm. ...that we should kind of keep in mind? Yeah, that's a great point.

(16:49 - 16:53)
Yeah. We always need to be mindful of the context of any research. Of course.

(16:53 - 17:00)
And one thing that stands out to me is the sample size. Okay. It wasn't huge... Right.

(17:00 - 17:07)
Especially for the U.S. group. So we should be maybe a little cautious... ...about generalizing the findings... Too big. ...broadly. Yeah.

(17:08 - 17:15)
And what about the fact that the students were reporting on their own activities and beliefs? Right. Could that have skewed the results in any way? That's a good point. Yeah.

(17:15 - 17:22)
I mean, with self-reported data, there's always a chance of bias or inaccuracy. Yeah. People's memories aren't perfect.

(17:22 - 17:27)
Right. Right. And they might unintentionally overemphasize or downplay certain things.

(17:27 - 17:30)
So we need to take the findings... Right, yeah. ...with a grain of salt. A little bit, yeah.

(17:30 - 17:35)
Acknowledging that they might not be a perfect reflection... Yeah. ...of reality. For sure.

(17:36 - 17:52)
Is there anything else that stood out to you as a potential limitation? Well, the study focused specifically on intensive English programs... ...both in the U.S. and China. Mm-hmm. So the results might not translate perfectly to other learning environments.

(17:52 - 17:58)
Like what? Like self-study... I know this. ...or less structured programs. Right, that makes sense.

(17:58 - 18:01)
Yeah. And, of course, they used... Using. ...practice TOEFL tests.

(18:01 - 18:04)
Yeah. Not the actual exam itself. Right.

(18:04 - 18:11)
So while those practice scores are a good indicator... Yeah. ...they might not perfectly predict performance on test day. Absolutely, yeah.

(18:11 - 18:18)
Of course, of course. But even with those limitations in mind... Yeah. ...I think this research still offers valuable insights... Mm-hmm.

(18:18 - 18:27)
...into the relationship between English proficiency... Right. ...TOEFL scores and the different ways people learn. It definitely gives us a lot to think about.

(18:27 - 18:44)
For sure. Especially when it comes to those, you know, global challenges of improving TOEFL scores, making sure those scores actually reflect real English skills... ...and preparing students for success in a world where English proficiency... Yeah. ...is, like, increasingly important.

(18:44 - 18:47)
Yeah. All right. And for anyone out there thinking about taking the TOEFL... Yeah.

(18:47 - 18:56)
I think the key takeaway is this, preparation matters. Mm-hmm. And there are tools and strategies out there... Yeah.

(18:56 - 19:01)
That can help you achieve your goals. Absolutely. And it's not just about getting a high score.

(19:01 - 19:09)
Yeah. It's about, you know, developing the English skills you need to thrive... Right. ...whether it's for, you know, academic pursuits... Mm-hmm.

(19:09 - 19:16)
Professional advancement, or simply personal growth. It's about opening doors and expanding your horizons. That's a great way to put it.

(19:16 - 19:19)
Yeah. So to anyone listening out there... Keep learning. Keep learning.

(19:20 - 19:24)
Keep practicing. Yeah. And never underestimate the power of language... I love that.

(19:24 - 19:29)
To connect you to the world and to the opportunities that await you. It's a journey. It is.

(19:29 - 19:32)
And sometimes a challenging one. Right. But it's so worth it.

(19:32 - 19:38)
It is. And with tools like MySpeakingScore... Right. ...that journey is becoming a little easier... Absolutely.

(19:38 - 19:42)
And more accessible for people all over the world. Yeah. It's an exciting time to be a language learner

(19:42 - 19:49)
Yeah. So much is changing... ...and possibilities are, you know... Endless. Endless.

(19:49 - 19:52)
They really are. That's a great note to end on. It is.

(19:52 - 19:57)
Thanks for joining me on this deep dive. Oh, the pleasure was all mine. It's been a fascinating conversation.

(19:57 - 20:03)
It really has. And to all of you listening... Yeah. ...keep exploring, keep learning, and keep those brains buzzing.

(20:03 - 20:05)
Absolutely. Mm-hmm. And we'll see you next time.