Master Your TOEFL Plan: Speaking Like a Pro

Unlock your full potential with "Master Your TOEFL Plan: Speaking Like a Pro." In this episode, we delve into groundbreaking research on how online planning can revolutionize your TOEFL Speaking prep. Learn why thinking on your feet and speaking simultaneously can boost your fluency, accuracy, and confidence. Discover how AI tools like MySpeakingScore provide instant, personalized feedback to help you adapt and thrive in real-time communication scenarios. Whether you're aiming for a top TOEFL score or mastering essential 21st-century skills, this episode equips you with strategies to communicate like a pro.

Highlights:

• Online planning vs. traditional prep: surprising results.
• Why fluency, not memorization, leads to higher scores.
• AI-powered tools making TOEFL prep accessible worldwide.
• How speaking practice builds transferable skills for life.

Join us as we explore the future of language learning and why adapting in real-time is the key to TOEFL success and beyond!

Source

Free TOEFL Speaking practice:

• My Speaking Score

Free resources:

• TOEFL Speaking Course
• SpeechRater Blog
• SpeechRater Knowledge Base

Social:

• Follow us on Facebook
• 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 today we're going to really kind of dive deep into TOEFL Speaking Prep. And we've got this research study from the International Journal of Language Testing. It's looking at how different types of planning can affect speaking scores.

(0:47 - 1:40)
And specifically, they were looking at Iranian TOEFL test takers. Yeah, and what's really fascinating about this study is that it kind of challenges this whole idea that we need like a ton of prep time to really get our thoughts together before we actually have to speak, you know? Oh yeah, totally. Like I've always been someone who's like, just give me as much time as possible to scribble down some notes before I actually have to talk. 

But this study actually looked at comparing that that classic prep then speak format to something they call online planning, where basically the prep time is built into the response time. So it's almost like you have to organize your thoughts while you're explaining them at the same time, which sounds kind of intimidating. Yeah, it does. 

But hold on to your hats, because the results are pretty wild. They tested this with 96 Iranian TOEFL candidates. And all of them had speaking scores that were around the average.

(1:40 - 1:54)
It's about 24. And guess what? The online planning group did way better. Significantly better, actually, across pretty much all four of the speaking tasks and on all sorts of measures like fluency and accuracy, and even how well they hit those key points from the prompts.

(1:55 - 2:10)
OK, so less prep time, more pressure, and somehow that equals better speaking. I mean, this feels completely counterintuitive to me. What's the logic behind that? Well, you know, if you think about it, when you're kind of forced to think on your feet, you actually have to be more efficient with the language that you use.

(2:10 - 2:19)
There's just less room to kind of ramble or get sidetracked. It's almost like you're super laser focused on getting your point across. And maybe that forces you to be clear.

(2:20 - 2:36)
Exactly. The researchers think that this online planning approach, it might actually reduce some of that performance anxiety that we all get, you know, when you're looking at the timer and you just know you have to speak perfectly. So instead of trying to memorize this perfect response, you're more like in the flow of a conversation, even if it's just you talking.

(2:37 - 2:53)
Yeah, precisely. And it seems like this really benefits fluency in particular. The online planners in the study, they spoke much more quickly and smoothly, maybe because they just felt less pressure to like cram everything they wanted to say into this very limited time.

(2:53 - 2:58)
That's interesting. So it's not just about speed then, but it's about that natural flow. It makes you sound more confident, I guess.

(2:59 - 3:11)
Absolutely. And the study also found that this online planning actually led to greater accuracy as well. The people who were doing the online planning made fewer grammatical errors and they actually used vocabulary more effectively.

(3:11 - 3:31)
Oh, wow. Do you think that's because they're not trying to, like, force in any fancy words that they prepped beforehand? They're just kind of using the language that comes to them more naturally? Yeah, that's a really good hypothesis. It could be that, you know, when you're planning as you go, you're better able to access your language knowledge in real time rather than just relying on whatever you've memorized.

(3:31 - 3:53)
Now, when it came to complexity of language, the results were kind of mixed. But even then, online planning often led to people using more sophisticated sentence structures. Wow. 

Constructing those on the fly. That's impressive. But what about those TOEFL tasks where you actually have to, like, summarize information from a reading passage or a listening passage? I mean, that feels like that really needs prep time.

(3:53 - 4:01)
That's actually where this gets really interesting and relevant, I think, for TOEFL prep. You're right. Content accuracy is absolutely critical for those integrated tasks.

(4:01 - 4:24)
And surprisingly, the online planners did much better at hitting those key points. No way. Even with less dedicated prep time. 

How is that possible? It seems like by planning as they speak, those test takers can just go straight from processing the information to actually using it without having that kind of memory gap. Oh, so they're not losing details because they didn't have time to write them down. It's all fresh in their mind.

(4:25 - 4:43)
Exactly. This study suggests that maybe the way we've all been approaching TOEFL-speaking prep, you know, maybe it needs a little bit of a rethink instead of just focusing on planning everything out in advance. Maybe we should be encouraging students to practice more of that thinking on your feet kind of approach.

(4:43 - 5:03)
That's a huge shift. But how do you actually practice that? It seems like you would need constant feedback to make sure you're not going completely off the rails. You're absolutely right. 

Feedback is super crucial. And that's where AI tools are starting to play a really interesting role in language learning and especially in TOEFL prep. OK, now this is where it gets really interesting for me.

(5:04 - 5:31)
Let's talk about how this research connects to the world of AI and tools like MySpeakingScore. So imagine you have this tool that can give you personalized feedback on your speaking as you practice, kind of just like this online planning approach we've been talking about. That's what MySpeakingScore does. 

And it's been used by like over 100,000 students to prep for the TOEFL. So it's like simulating that test environment, but you're getting instant analysis of your performance. No more waiting for a teacher to grade you.

(5:31 - 5:42)
Exactly. And it goes way beyond just giving you a simple score. MySpeakingScore uses something called SpeechRater technology, which is this really powerful AI system that analyzes spoken language.

(5:43 - 5:52)
It looks at your fluency, your accuracy, your pronunciation, even how well you organize your thoughts. Oh, so it's like having an AI TOEFL coach right there in your pocket. Yeah.

(5:52 - 5:58)
Constantly giving you feedback and helping you adjust on the fly. That's incredible. And it's not just about acing the TOEFL.

(5:59 - 6:12)
This kind of practice can really help you develop a skill that's super important for any kind of communication. So it's less about memorizing scripts and more about training your brain to be adaptable and articulate in real time. That's a big deal.

(6:12 - 6:22)
Exactly. And this is where AI's impact on education gets really exciting, I think. It's making these advanced learning resources available to students all over the world, no matter where they live or how much money they have.

(6:22 - 6:32)
That's such an important point. Not everyone has access to those, you know, really expensive tutors or courses. AI could really level the playing field when it comes to education and test prep.

(6:33 - 6:48)
But before we go too far down that road, I'm curious about something. It's true that some people aren't, you know, super comfortable with the idea of AI in education. Like some folks worry that it'll make learning less personal or that it'll stifle creativity.

(6:48 - 7:02)
Yeah, I mean, it's easy to jump to those like robots are taking over scenarios. But I feel like AI is more like a tool, like a really advanced textbook or study guide. It's still up to the human to actually put in the effort and, you know, do the learning.

(7:02 - 7:13)
Absolutely. It's all about using technology to kind of enhance the learning experience, not to replace it altogether. You can think of AI as a way to personalize education, like catering to individual learning styles and needs.

(7:13 - 7:28)
Oh, so instead of like a one-size-fits-all approach, AI can actually help pinpoint your weak spots and then suggest some targeted practice. Exactly. For example, my speaking score can figure out if you're struggling with verb tenses or if you tend to repeat certain filler words.

(7:29 - 7:38)
And then it gives you exercises and feedback that are designed to help you improve in those areas. That's really cool. It's like having a tutor who knows exactly what you need to work on.

(7:38 - 7:51)
Exactly. And this level of personalized feedback is something that you just couldn't really do. With traditional teaching methods, like imagine a classroom with 30 students, and each one of them needs individual attention on different aspects of their speaking.

(7:51 - 8:04)
Oh gosh. Yeah, that would be, it would be impossible for one teacher to manage all of that effectively. So AI can kind of take on some of that heavy listing and then free up the teachers to focus on, you know, providing motivation and guidance.

(8:04 - 8:11)
Right. AI can be a really powerful ally for teachers, helping them to be more effective and efficient. It's not about replacing human interaction.

(8:11 - 8:17)
It's about augmenting it. Okay. I'm starting to see the potential here, but let's get back to the TOEFL for a second.

(8:18 - 8:38)
Millions of students take this test every year, and improving those scores is a huge global challenge. So how can AI contribute to that? That's a really important point. You know, traditional methods of assessing speaking skills, like having a human examiner grade every single response, it can be very subjective and expensive and difficult to scale.

(8:38 - 8:47)
Yeah. Especially when you think about the sheer volume of TOEFL test takers all over the world. There's just no way to have a human grader for every single one.

(8:47 - 8:55)
Exactly. And that's where AI powered tools like MySpeakingScore are really helpful. They can provide consistent and objective scoring no matter where you are in the world.

(8:55 - 9:20)
Oh, so it's removing those barriers of like geography and access to qualified examiners. That's a game changer for students in areas where finding TOEFL resources is really tough. Exactly. 

And because AI can analyze so much data, it can also help us understand how language proficiency is evolving and how we can assess it better. So it's not just about scoring. It's about constantly learning and improving how we teach and test language skills.

(9:20 - 9:31)
Exactly. And this actually ties back to the research on online planning. AI can help students develop those thinking on your feet skills, which are super valuable in our globalized world.

(9:31 - 9:43)
It's not just about passing a test then. It's about giving students the communication skills they need to succeed in their academic and professional lives. And that's where I think AI can make a really transformative impact on education.

(9:43 - 9:55)
It's all about empowering students to reach their full potential, no matter their background or their circumstances. OK, I'm sold on the big picture, but let's zoom back in on MySpeakingScore for a moment. You mentioned SpeechRater technology.

(9:55 - 10:05)
Can you tell me a little bit more about what makes that so special? Sure. SpeechRater is what makes MySpeakingScore stand out from other TOEFL prep tools. It's not just about recognizing words.

(10:05 - 10:13)
It actually understands how those words are being used in context. Oh, wow. So it has this deeper understanding of language, not just a surface level analysis.

(10:14 - 10:37)
Exactly. SpeechRater looks at your pronunciation, but also your fluency, your grammar, your vocabulary, even the coherence and organization of your responses. Wow. 

So it's analyzing your speaking on multiple levels, just like a human examiner would. Exactly. And based on all of that analysis, it provides you with detailed feedback, highlighting areas where you can improve.

(10:37 - 11:14)
So you're not just getting a score. You're getting a roadmap for how to actually get better. Exactly. 

It might tell you, for example, that you tend to use really simple sentence structures or that your intonation could be more varied. So it's like having a personal language coach. Exactly.  

And because it's all powered by AI, you get this feedback instantly, which means you can adjust your approach and practice more effectively. That's so cool. No more waiting for a teacher to grade your work or scheduling a tutoring session. 

You can practice anytime, anywhere. Exactly. And another really important feature of MySpeakingScore is that it simulates the real TOEFL speaking section.

(11:14 - 11:33)
So you're not just practicing random speaking exercises. You're actually experiencing what it's like to take the test. Exactly. 

It uses authentic TOEFL prompts and the same timing and format as the actual test. That's so important for reducing anxiety and building confidence. You know exactly what to expect on test day because you've already practiced in a similar environment.

(11:33 - 11:59)
But what about the actual test itself? I mean, is there any way that AI could actually be used to make the TOEFL itself a better test of communication skills? Ooh, that's a really interesting question. And that's where I think the future of language assessment gets really exciting. Imagine a TOEFL that's not just about, you know, can you answer these specific prompts, but it's actually evaluating how you communicate in a more dynamic and interactive kind of setting.

(11:59 - 12:03)
Oh, so less like a formal exam. Yeah. And more like a simulated conversation.

(12:03 - 12:33)
Yeah, exactly. AI could be used to create these like super realistic and engaging test scenarios, maybe even incorporating virtual reality or augmented reality to really immerse test takers in different environments. Well, that'd be amazing. 

Imagine having to give a presentation in a virtual conference room or participate in a debate with AI powered avatars. I mean, it's definitely possible. And by making the test more like real world communication, we could get a much more accurate picture of someone's true language abilities.

(12:33 - 12:49)
Yeah, I can see how that would be so valuable, not just for universities, but also for employers who want to assess candidates' communication skills. Absolutely. And as AI technology keeps getting better, I think we'll see even more innovative ways to assess language skills.

(12:49 - 13:23)
It's all about moving away from rote memorization and toward a more authentic evaluation of how people actually communicate. Okay, so let's bring it back to what we talked about today, this research on online planning and the rise of AI tools like MySpeakingScore. They both seem to point to a real shift in how we think about communication, even beyond the TOEFL. 

It sounds like learning to think and speak at the same time is becoming a really crucial skill in our world. Yeah, I completely agree. We're constantly being hit with information these days, and being able to process that information quickly and then explain your thoughts clearly, it's becoming more and more essential.

(13:24 - 13:37)
Yeah, it's like we need to be able to think on our feet, adapt to new situations, and communicate effectively in real time. Exactly. And those are all skills that you can develop with practice, you know, both with and without the help of AI tools.

(13:37 - 13:55)
So while MySpeakingScore can definitely help you get a great score on the TOEFL, the real benefit might be those transferable skills that you pick up along the way. Absolutely. It's about becoming a more confident and articulate communicator, someone who can adapt to different situations, and that's going to help you in so many areas of your life.

(13:55 - 14:08)
So it sounds like prepping for the TOEFL speaking section. It can actually teach you a lot more than just how to pass a test. It can help you unlock a whole new way of thinking and communicating, which is super important for success in the 21st century.

(14:08 - 14:30)
And the best part is, with all the advancements in AI, we now have the tools to make this approach available to everyone, no matter where they are. It's a really exciting time to be a language learner. I totally agree. 

Well, that was a fascinating deep dive into the world of TOEFL prep, with some surprising insights into how we can all become better communicators. Thanks for joining us today. Until next time.

(14:30 - 14:32)
It was my pleasure. Keep those brains buzzing.