Revealing Effective Methods for Mastering TOEFL Speaking

In this episode of the TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast for the AI Era, we delve into groundbreaking research on teaching methods that can elevate TOEFL speaking scores globally. Discover how approaches like drill-and-practice and discussion are shaping effective preparation and why they’re universally impactful. Learn how AI-powered tools like MySpeakingScore are revolutionizing test prep by providing personalized feedback, fostering collaboration, and making high-quality resources accessible to learners worldwide.

We also explore the broader challenges of TOEFL preparation, including test anxiety, resource disparities, and the importance of developing strong communication skills. Whether you’re a student aiming to excel or an educator seeking insights, this deep dive offers practical strategies, valuable takeaways, and inspiration to empower your journey.

Embrace the challenges, celebrate the victories, and step confidently toward mastering the TOEFL speaking section!

Key Takeaways:

• Importance of targeted practice and self-awareness.
• Role of AI in leveling the playing field for TOEFL prep.
• Practical tips to improve pronunciation, vocabulary, and clarity.

Tune in to unlock the secrets to TOEFL success!

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

Hey everyone, welcome back to the Deep Dive.

(0:30 - 0:49)
Today we're going to try to figure out how research on TOEFL teaching methods can actually help improve scores globally. You know what I mean? We've got this research paper we're going to unpack, and I'm not going to lie, it's a bit dense, but we're going to break it down. It is.

(0:49 - 0:57)
And try to pull out those golden nuggets for you. Absolutely. I think one of the biggest challenges we see is that there is this disparity in TOEFL scores around the world.

(0:57 - 1:15)
Right. And I think understanding how different teaching approaches can impact performance is key. Exactly. 

So the main source that we're looking at is this paper titled, Revealing Teachers' Methods in Teaching Test of English as Foreign Language. TOEFL, that's a mouthful, I know. And it was published in the Journal of English Teaching and Learning Issues.

(1:15 - 1:31)
Right. And this research was done in Indonesia at the International Class Program at IAIN Selatiga. And you might be thinking, Indonesia, what does that have to do with me? But actually what's cool about this research is that it highlights some teaching methods that are universally effective for TOEFL prep.

(1:31 - 1:45)
So no matter where you are, these methods can make a difference. So like what kind of methods are we talking about? Well, the research found that two of the most frequently used and effective methods were drill and practice and discussion. Drill and practice.

(1:45 - 1:48)
Okay. Practice makes perfect, right? Right. Exactly.

(1:48 - 2:03)
But I'm kind of curious about the discussion part. Why would discussion be so crucial for a standardized test like the TOEFL? Well, think about it. The TOEFL, especially the speaking section, is all about demonstrating your ability to communicate effectively in English.

(2:04 - 2:14)
And discussion pushes you to, you know, think, critically formulate your thoughts clearly and respond to different perspectives. Oh, I see. It's like a workout for your spoken English skills.

(2:14 - 2:29)
So it's not just about memorizing like grammar rules or vocabulary. It's about actually using the language in a like real way. Precisely. 

You got it. That's interesting. So these two methods, drill and practice and discussion, were not only common, but they actually work.

(2:29 - 2:31)
That's what the researchers found. Yeah. That's really cool.

(2:31 - 2:39)
Yeah. It reminds me of when I was training for that half marathon a while back. And, you know, I thought I could just like wing it, just go out and run.

(2:39 - 2:53)
But then my running buddy convinced me to use this app that like analyzed my stride and gave me personalized feedback. Totally changed my game. I love that analogy because it brings us to another fascinating point about the future of TOEFL prep.

(2:53 - 2:58)
The role of AI. Ooh, AI. Okay.

(2:58 - 3:08)
Imagine a tool that can give you that same level of personalized feedback on your speaking, just like a virtual coach. Ooh, that's cool. So is that where my speaking score comes in? I've heard a lot about that.

(3:08 - 3:16)
Absolutely. My speaking score is a TOEFL speaking prep tool powered by SpeechRater AI. It's already being used by over 100,000 students.

(3:16 - 3:20)
Yeah. And it's really changing the game when it comes to effective preparation. Okay.

(3:21 - 3:36)
I'm intrigued. Tell me more about it. So how does it actually work? And how does it tie back to those research findings about drill and practice and discussion? So my speaking score provides students with a platform to practice their speaking responses repeatedly, just like you would with drill and practice.

(3:36 - 3:46)
But here's where the magic happens. It uses AI to analyze your pronunciation, your fluency, your grammar, and your vocabulary and gives you instant feedback. Wow.

(3:47 - 3:53)
On what you're doing well and where you can improve. So it's like having a personal TOEFL speaking coach available 24-7. Exactly.

(3:54 - 4:04)
That's awesome. But what about that discussion aspect? Does my speaking score help with that too? It can. Some platforms that integrate my speaking score allow students to share their recorded responses with peers or teachers.

(4:04 - 4:12)
And that opens up opportunities for feedback and discussion. It creates a more collaborative and interactive learning environment. I see.

(4:13 - 4:18)
So even though it's AI-powered, it can still facilitate that human connection. Right. That's really cool.

(4:18 - 4:31)
I can see how this is a game changer for students all over the world. No matter where you live or what resources you access to, you can get this high-quality, personalized feedback that was previously only available to a select few. Absolutely.

(4:31 - 4:39)
And I think you hit on a very important point. One of the biggest challenges in improving TOEFL scores globally is this uneven access to resources. Right.

(4:39 - 4:47)
But AI-powered tools like my speaking score are helping to level the playing field. They're democratizing access to top-notch test prep. This is so exciting.

(4:47 - 4:53)
It sounds like AI is really revolutionizing the landscape of education and test prep. Absolutely. And this is just the beginning.

(4:54 - 5:07)
The potential for AI to personalize and enhance learning is vast. Yeah. And I believe it will play a pivotal role in bridging the global gap in TOEFL scores and empowering students everywhere to achieve their dreams.

(5:07 - 5:18)
This has been an incredible deep dive so far. We've journeyed from Indonesia to the world of AI, uncovering valuable insights about effective TOEFL preparation along the way. But wait, there's more.

(5:19 - 5:34)
We'll be right back after a quick message to explore even more about my speaking score and how it can help you on your path to TOEFL success. So before the break, we were talking about how my speaking score uses AI to give personalized feedback on your TOEFL speaking practice. Kind of like having a virtual coach in your pocket.

(5:34 - 5:47)
Yeah. It's amazing how technology is making this level of prep accessible to basically anyone with an internet connection. You know, I remember when I was studying for standardized tests, it was all about those thick, dusty prep books.

(5:48 - 5:52)
And maybe an expensive tutor if you were lucky. Right. It really is a different world now.

(5:53 - 6:04)
It is. My speaking score is like a perfect example of how AI is democratizing access to these high-quality educational resources. Regardless of where you live or your background.

(6:04 - 6:10)
I agree. This makes me think about the bigger picture of improving TOEFL scores globally. Yeah.

(6:11 - 6:24)
We've talked about teaching methods and technology, but there's so many other factors at play, right? Right. Access to quality education in general, cultural attitudes towards learning English, even just the anxiety of taking a high-stakes test. You're absolutely right.

(6:24 - 6:32)
It's a complex issue, no doubt about it. But AI-powered tools like MySpeakingScore can play a significant role in addressing those challenges. Yeah.

(6:32 - 6:56)
You know, by providing personalized support and feedback, we can boost students' confidence, reduce test anxiety, and ultimately help them achieve their TOEFL goals. It's about empowering individuals to succeed not just on the test itself, but in all their future endeavors. After all, strong English communication skills open doors to academic opportunities, career advancement, and richer cross-cultural experiences.

(6:56 - 7:03)
Couldn't agree more. It's about expanding horizons and creating a world where language is no longer a barrier to success. I love that.

(7:03 - 7:33)
So, for our listener who's on their own TOEFL journey, what are some key takeaways from this research and our discussion about MySpeakingScore? What can they actually do to prepare effectively? First and foremost, I'd say embrace the power of personalized practice. Whether you're using an AI-powered tool like MySpeakingScore or working with a tutor, make sure you're getting targeted feedback on your speaking. Identify your strengths and weaknesses and focus on improving those areas where you need the most support.

(7:33 - 7:35)
Makes sense. Don't just go through the motions. Exactly.

(7:35 - 7:44)
Be strategic about your practice. Any other tips you'd share based on your expertise? Absolutely. Remember that the TOEFL speaking section is scored on four main criteria.

(7:45 - 7:52)
Delivery language use, topic development, and pronunciation. Okay. Make sure you understand what each of these criteria entails and practice accordingly.

(7:52 - 8:02)
The official TOEFL website is a great resource for that. They have detailed information on the scoring rubrics and sample responses. So, it's not just about speaking fluently.

(8:02 - 8:09)
It's about being clear, organized, and using appropriate vocabulary and grammar. Yes. Oh, and pronunciation.

(8:09 - 8:12)
Can't forget about that. You got it. Pronunciation is crucial.

(8:12 - 8:27)
Even if your grammar is perfect, if the examiners can't understand what you're saying, your score will suffer. So, practice speaking clearly and naturally, paying attention to intonation and stress. It sounds like MySpeakingScore would be incredibly helpful for that, especially with its AI-powered feedback on pronunciation.

(8:28 - 8:40)
Exactly. And remember, the skills you develop while preparing for the TOEFL speaking section are valuable beyond the test itself. You're building your confidence, improving your communication skills, and becoming a more effective English speaker overall.

(8:41 - 8:59)
These skills will serve you well in your academic pursuits, your professional life, and your personal interactions. This has been such an insightful deep dive. We've uncovered the power of drill and practice and discussion, explored the exciting possibilities of AI and language learning, and even touched on the broader challenges of improving TOEFL scores globally.

(9:00 - 9:07)
Yeah. It's all about empowering learners, opening doors, and making the world a more connected place through effective communication. Well said.

(9:08 - 9:16)
And as we wrap up this deep dive, I want to leave our listener with one final thought. Ooh, I'm ready. What is it? Just remember that the TOEFL is just one step.

(9:16 - 9:20)
Yeah. You know, a stepping stone on a much larger path. Oh, I like that.

(9:20 - 9:33)
Yes, it's important, but it's not the end-all, be-all. The skills you develop while preparing for the test, the critical thinking, the self-directed, learning the confidence in your communication, those will benefit you far beyond any exam. That's so true.

(9:33 - 9:39)
It's about the bigger picture, the long game. Yeah. So don't get, like, bogged down in the stress of the test itself.

(9:39 - 9:45)
Right. The focus on the learning, the growth, the journey of becoming a more confident and effective communicator in English. Exactly.

(9:46 - 10:01)
Embrace the challenges, celebrate the small victories, and never stop exploring the world of language. And who knows, maybe one day AI will have advanced so much that we'll be having a whole new deep dive on how it's revolutionized, not just test prep, but education as a whole. Oh, wow.

(10:01 - 10:15)
Now that's a deep dive I would love to be a part of. Well, that brings us to the end of our deep dive today. We've covered a lot of ground from Indonesian classrooms to the cutting edge of AI, and I hope you're feeling inspired and empowered to tackle your TOEFL goals head-on.

(10:15 - 10:24)
And remember, the journey of language learning is a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself, be persistent, and most importantly, enjoy the process. Couldn't have said it better myself.

(10:24 - 10:27)
Yeah. Thanks for joining us on the deep dive. Until next time, happy learning.