Does Your Mood Matter in TOEFL Speaking Tasks?

Explore the fascinating connection between emotions and speaking performance in this episode of the TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast. Dive into groundbreaking research that examines how emotions, like happiness or sadness, influence TOEFL speaking scores. Discover how advanced AI tools, such as facial recognition software, are shaping the future of language learning by analyzing emotions, offering tailored feedback, and creating immersive VR experiences.

Whether you're a test-taker or an educator, learn how to balance emotions, leverage technology, and master the art of effective communication. Tune in for insights that could transform your TOEFL prep journey 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

Hey everyone and welcome back to the Deep Dive.

(0:23 - 0:35)
Today we're going to be looking at something pretty interesting, emotions and speaking tests and AI, you know, all that good stuff. Yeah. So we're diving into some research from the Education and Information Technologies Journal.

(0:35 - 0:47)
And the study we're looking at suggests that, get this, your facial expressions could actually be linked to your speaking test scores. Wow. I know, right? So buckle up because we're going to break down this study and see what it all means.

(0:47 - 0:55)
I'm excited. Me too. So to give you a little background, they had 60 bilingual university students take an English speaking test.

(0:55 - 1:18)
But here's the twist. They showed them videos and audio recordings designed to evoke specific emotions, like happy or sad, while they were taking the test. That's really interesting. 

So they were trying to see if, like, feeling happy or sad would actually affect how well the students did on the test. Exactly. And to make things even more high tech, they used facial recognition software called Face Reader to analyze the students' expressions.

(1:19 - 1:27)
This AI is incredible. It can actually recognize seven basic emotions just from analyzing someone's face. Yep.

(1:27 - 1:58)
Happy, sad, angry, surprised, scared, disgusted, and neutral. So it's like having a tiny AI emotion detective watching your every move. Pretty much. 

But before we get into how well the AI detective did, I'm curious about the speaking test itself. What kind of test did the students take? Well, it was designed to mimic integrated speaking tasks, kind of like what you'd find on the TOEFL, you know? Oh, okay. So the students had to watch or listen to a short stimulus, like a video clip or an audio recording, and then they had to answer comprehension questions out loud in English.

(1:59 - 2:14)
So it wasn't just about understanding what they heard, but also about being able to express themselves clearly in spoken English. That does sound a lot like the TOEFL speaking section, you know, where you have to listen to lectures or conversations and then respond to questions. It's definitely not easy.

(2:14 - 2:24)
Right. And that's why this research is so relevant for anyone who's preparing for the TOEFL or really any kind of speaking test. Yeah, especially for those students who might not have access to a lot of resources or personalized feedback.

(2:25 - 2:42)
Exactly. Speaking is such a complex skill and it takes a lot of practice to master. Absolutely. 

So back to the study. We've got the students, we've got the emotion-evoking videos and audio, and we've got the integrated speaking tasks. What did the researchers actually discover? Okay, well, this is where it gets a little surprising.

(2:42 - 2:58)
Oh. It turns out that the emotions the students felt during the test didn't actually have a significant impact on their overall scores. Wait, really? So even if a video made them super happy or really sad, it didn't really change how well they answered the questions.

(2:58 - 3:14)
Nope. Their facial expressions definitely showed that they were feeling different emotions, but those feelings didn't seem to translate into big differences in their speaking performance. Wow. 

That is fascinating. Yeah. It really challenges the idea that our emotions always have a direct impact on how well we do on tests.

(3:14 - 3:21)
Right. I mean, think about it. We've all had those moments where we've felt nervous or anxious during a test and it's totally messed us up.

(3:22 - 3:30)
Oh, yeah, for sure. But this study suggests that maybe our emotions aren't always the make it or break it factor we think they are. That's a really good point.

(3:30 - 3:40)
Of course, this study only looked at happiness and sadness. I wonder if other emotions like anxiety or anger would have a bigger impact. That's a good question.

(3:40 - 3:55)
It would definitely be interesting to explore that further. Okay, so the overall emotional state didn't seem to make a huge difference. But didn't the study also find some kind of connection between certain facial expressions and specific parts of the scoring? Yeah, you're right.

(3:55 - 4:12)
There was a small to medium correlation between some facial expressions and how the students scored on certain aspects of the speaking tasks. For example, students who showed more happy expressions while watching happy videos tended to score higher on delivery. So basically, even a subtle smile could potentially give you a boost.

(4:13 - 4:19)
Potentially, yeah. It seems like those happy vibes can really shine through, even if it's not a massive impact overall. That's so cool.

(4:20 - 4:37)
But if emotions don't completely make or break your score, what does explain why some students do better than others on these speaking tests? Well, it's probably a combination of things, you know. Some students might simply have a stronger grasp of the language, like better vocabulary, grammar, and so on. Okay, yeah, that makes sense.

(4:37 - 4:48)
While others might be more comfortable speaking in formal settings or have more experience with these kinds of tests. True. And then there's also the individual differences, like personality and how we handle test anxiety.

(4:49 - 5:02)
Some people are just naturally more outgoing or confident, while others might freeze up under pressure. Yeah, exactly. There are so many individual factors that could be at play, and this study didn't necessarily control for all of them.

(5:02 - 5:09)
Right. So while the findings are super interesting, we have to be careful about assuming they apply to every learner in every situation. Absolutely.

(5:09 - 5:23)
Okay, so it's more about understanding that there might be a connection, even if it's subtle, between how we feel and how we express ourselves during these speaking tests. Yeah. And it makes me wonder if AI can detect these subtle emotional cues.

(5:24 - 5:46)
Could it also be used to help us manage those emotions and maybe even perform better? That is a brilliant question. And that's where things start to get really interesting, especially when we think about the role of AI in language learning and test prep. Just imagine AI-powered tools that could analyze not just your words, but also your tone of voice and even your facial expressions as you practice speaking.

(5:46 - 5:59)
Hold on. Are you saying we could have AI coaches analyzing our every smile and frown as we practice for the TOEFL? That sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie. It might sound futuristic, but it's closer than you think.

(5:59 - 6:07)
Wow. Think about platforms like SpeechRater, which are already being used by tons of language learning apps and even some universities. Yeah, I've heard of that.

(6:08 - 6:23)
They provide detailed feedback on things like pronunciation, fluency, grammar, and all that. Now imagine if we added facial expression analysis to that. So it would be like having a virtual coach who not only corrects your grammar but also says, hey, I noticed you tend to frown when you use the past perfect tense.

(6:23 - 6:34)
Let's work on that. Exactly. It could help you figure out those areas where you might be struggling, not just with the language itself, but also with the emotional or cognitive things that could be holding you back.

(6:34 - 6:52)
That's incredible. It's like having a personal language coach who can really tailor the feedback to your specific needs. Right. 

And it's not just about giving feedback. AI could also be used to create more engaging and effective learning materials. Oh, like those videos we were talking about earlier, the ones that evoked those strong emotional responses.

(6:52 - 7:17)
Exactly. AI could be used to create video-based content that's designed to tap into those emotional connections, making the learning process more memorable and impactful. Okay. 

Now my mind is officially blown. We could have AI-powered platforms that not only teach you grammar and vocabulary, but also recommend specific learning activities based on your emotional responses. I like where you're going with this.

(7:17 - 7:27)
Like, hey, you seem to be struggling with conditional sentences. Let's try this fun interactive game that will help you master them without making you feel overwhelmed. See? And it doesn't stop there.

(7:27 - 7:41)
We could even have AI-powered virtual reality simulations that put you right into realistic language use situations, giving you a chance to practice speaking in a safe and engaging environment. Wait, virtual reality for language learning. I need to hear more about this.

(7:41 - 7:55)
Picture this. You put on a VR headset and suddenly you're in a bustling marketplace in another country. You have to order food from a street vendor, ask for directions, maybe even haggle over prices for souvenirs, all in the language you're learning.

(7:55 - 8:05)
That sounds amazing. It's like the ultimate confidence booster for language learners. But with all this talk about AI, we can't forget about the human element of language learning and communication.

(8:06 - 8:23)
Is there a risk that we become too reliant on technology and lose those real human connections? That's a super important point. The goal with AI should never be to replace human interaction, but rather to enhance and supplement it. Language is fundamentally social, so we have to make sure we're still creating opportunities for genuine human connection.

(8:23 - 8:47)
I agree. We don't want to end up in a world where everyone is just staring at their screens talking to chatbots instead of real people. Exactly. 

It's about finding the right balance where technology supports human connection rather than replacing it. And that's where the role of teachers and educators becomes even more critical. They'll need to learn how to use these new technologies effectively and also how to guide students in using them responsibly and ethically.

(8:47 - 9:10)
It's about giving teachers the tools and knowledge they need to navigate this new world of language learning, to help students find that sweet spot where technology and human interaction work together to create a truly enriching learning experience. Exactly. It's all about creating a future where technology and human connection work hand-in-hand, empowering learners to achieve fluency confidence and a deeper understanding of other cultures.

(9:10 - 9:23)
Well, this conversation has been amazing. We've gone from facial expressions and emotions to virtual reality and the future of language learning. But before we go too far down the rabbit hole, I want to bring it back to our listeners' own language learning journey.

(9:23 - 9:31)
Yeah. What are some key takeaways they can apply to their own lives? Let's do that. Remember, listener, your emotions are part of the journey, but they don't have to control the destination.

(9:32 - 9:36)
Exactly. Embrace those feelings. Acknowledge them, but don't let them derail you.

(9:37 - 9:46)
Focus on building your skills, expanding your knowledge, and finding joy in the process of learning. And don't forget about technology. It can be a powerful ally.

(9:47 - 10:01)
Explore those AI-powered tools and resources that are out there, from personalized feedback platforms to those immersive VR experiences we were talking about. Yes. But at the same time, never forget the importance of human connection.

(10:01 - 10:51)
Look for opportunities to interact with other learners, to have real-life conversations, to immerse yourself in the culture of the language you're learning. Those connections, those shared experiences, that's where the real magic of language learning happens. This has been an incredibly inspiring conversation. 

We've delved deep into the research, explored all the possibilities, and even gotten a glimpse into the future of language learning. But before we wrap things up, I want to touch on one more aspect of the study that I found really compelling, the emphasis on the global impact of AI in education. Oh, absolutely. 

One of the most exciting things about AI in education is that it has the potential to break down barriers and make quality learning opportunities available to everyone around the world, no matter where they live or their background. That's something I'm really passionate about. For too long, access to good education has been limited by things like geography, socioeconomic status, and even language proficiency.

(10:52 - 11:03)
But AI could change all that. Exactly. Imagine a world where a student in a rural village in Africa has access to the same cutting-edge language learning technology as a student at a top university in Europe.

(11:03 - 11:19)
It's all about creating a more level playing field, giving everyone the chance to learn, grow, and connect with people from different cultures. You said it perfectly. And this research, even though it's focused on a specific context, gives us a glimpse of that broader impact that AI can have on education globally. 

(11:19 - 11:49)
By making personalized learning and assessment more accessible and affordable, we can open up so many possibilities for learners everywhere. We're really at the beginning of a revolution in language learning, and AI is leading the way. But with all the excitement about AI, we also need to remember what makes language learning so meaningful. 

The human connections, the stories we share, the cultures we explore. That's what it's all about. Using language to bridge the gaps between us to understand and connect with each other, to build a more inclusive world.

(11:49 - 11:57)
I love that language is a bridge. So dear listeners, you continue on your language learning journey, remember this. Your emotions are your companions, not your enemies.

(11:57 - 12:07)
Technology is your tool, not your master. And the world is your classroom waiting to be explored. Keep learning, keep connecting, and keep diving deep.

(12:07 - 12:19)
Until next time, happy learning. And thanks for joining us on the Deep Dive. So they looked at all the data and it turned out the emotions the students felt during the test didn't actually affect their speaking scores, like not in a big way at least.

(12:19 - 12:38)
Hold on. So even after watching those videos meant to make them happy or sad, their scores were basically the same. Pretty much, yeah. 

Their faces showed they were feeling all the feels, but it didn't really change how well they did on the actual speaking part. That's pretty wild. It's like those feelings stayed in their lane and didn't mess with their speaking skills.

(12:38 - 12:45)
Yeah. Though they did only test happy and sad. Maybe other emotions like getting all nervous or angry would make a difference.

(12:45 - 13:14)
It could, yeah. This study kind of opens up more questions than it answers, which is how good research usually works. Makes sense. 

Okay, so big picture emotions didn't shake things up too much. But what about those little connections they found between certain facial expressions and parts of the scoring? What was up with that? Well, it shows there's something going on between how we feel and how we talk. Even if it's not this huge deal breaker, they saw that students who made more happy faces while watching happy videos often got better scores on delivery.

(13:14 - 13:31)
So maybe, even if they weren't trying to sound super cheerful, those smiles made them come across as more confident or something, which the raters picked up on. You got it. It shows how even in a speaking test, you know, where it's all about what you say, those little nonverbal things still matter.

(13:31 - 13:49)
It's like our faces are giving away secrets about how we feel even when we don't realize it. This whole thing makes me think, what if we could use tech to understand this emotional stuff better and use it to help people do better on tests? Now you're getting it. That's where AI can really shine.

(13:49 - 14:14)
Think about tools that don't just look at your words, but can also pick up on tiny clues in your voice and even your face when you're practicing. So basically, like having an AI coach who can see right through you. Spill the tea. 

How would that even work? Easy peasy. You know about those platforms like Speed Trader, right? Yeah, those are everywhere now. Well, they already give feedback on all the speaking stuff, pronunciation, fluency, grammar, the whole shebang.

(14:14 - 14:33)
Now add facial expression analysis to that. So it's like, okay, you're messing up the past perfect tense again. But also, hey, you always frown when you do that. 

Maybe that's a clue. Exactly. It helps you see where you're getting tripped up and not just with the grammar itself, but also with all the emotional baggage that might be weighing you down.

(14:33 - 14:38)
That would be game changing. Having a coach who's like, I see your struggle. Let's tackle this together.

(14:38 - 14:46)
Right. And it's not just about fixing errors. AI could also help create learning stuff that actually works like those videos we talked about.

(14:46 - 14:53)
The ones that got everyone feeling all the feels. Yep. AI could make videos that tap into those emotions, making learning stick better.

(14:53 - 14:58)
Okay. My brain is exploding. We could have AI that's like, you're having a hard time with conditional sentences.

(14:59 - 15:03)
Let's play a game that won't make you want to pull your hair out. Totally. And wait, there's more.

(15:04 - 15:27)
Imagine AI-powered virtual reality where you're thrown into real life situations, practicing your speaking without freaking out in front of actual people. Hold up. Virtual reality for language learning. 

Tell me everything. Imagine strapping on a headset and bam, you're in a market in another country. You got to order food, ask for directions, maybe haggle with some street vendors, all in the language you're learning.

(15:27 - 15:29)
Okay. That's next level. Sign me up.

(15:30 - 15:39)
Choosy. With all this AI stuff, are we going to end up as robots, like forgetting how to talk to real people? That's a good question. It's not about replacing humans.

(15:39 - 15:51)
It's about giving them superpowers. Language is all about connecting with others, so we can't lose that. Right. 

I don't want to live in a world where we're all just glued to our screens, chatting with bots. Nobody wants that. It's all about balance.

(15:52 - 16:02)
Using tech to boost human connection, not ditch it. And that's where teachers come in. They got to know how to use this tech, and also how to make sure students aren't using it to become evil robots.

(16:02 - 16:29)
It's about helping teachers be awesome guides in this new world of language learning. Showing students how to use tech and human connection together to really level up their skills. Exactly. 

It's about creating a future where tech and human connection work as a team, so learners can be fluent, confident, and really get other cultures. This conversation has been a wild ride. We started with facial expressions, and now we're talking about virtual reality and the future of language learning.

(16:29 - 16:36)
But let's get real. What can our listeners actually do with all this info? Good point. Remember, your feelings are part of the journey.

(16:36 - 16:42)
But they don't have to be the driver. It's like, feel the feels. But don't let them take over the wheel.

(16:42 - 16:50)
Focus on leveling up your skills, learning new things, and actually enjoying the ride. And tech can be your co-pilot. Check out those AI tools and resources.

(16:51 - 17:01)
From those feedback platforms to those mind-blowing VR things we talked about. But don't forget your human crewmates. Talk to other learners, have real conversations, and dive into the culture of the language you're learning.

(17:01 - 17:07)
Those connections, the shared moments. That's where the real magic happens. This has been seriously inspiring.

(17:08 - 17:21)
We dug into the research, imagined all the cool stuff, and even peeked into the future of language learning. But there's one more thing from this study that I want to talk about. It's about how AI could change education for the whole world.

(17:21 - 17:33)
Oh yeah, that's huge. One of the most exciting things about AI and education is that it can break down all those walls that keep people from learning, no matter where they live or what their background is. That's something I'm super passionate about.

(17:33 - 17:48)
Access to good education shouldn't be a lottery, but for so long it's been limited by location money, and even language AI could change the game. Totally. Imagine a world where a student in a tiny village has the same awesome language learning tech as someone at a fancy university.

(17:48 - 17:54)
It's about making things fair. Giving everyone a chance to learn, grow, and connect with people from all over. You nailed it.

(17:55 - 18:10)
And this study, even though it was just focused on one thing, shows us how AI could change education everywhere. Making personalized learning available to everyone, that's a game changer. We're on the edge of a revolution in language learning, and AI is leading the charge.

(18:10 - 18:21)
But in all the excitement about AI, let's not forget what really matters. It's about the human connections, the stories we share, the cultures we explore. That's what makes it all worth it.

(18:21 - 18:30)
Using language to build bridges to understand each other better, to create a world where everyone feels welcome. Language as a bridge. I love that.

(18:30 - 18:38)
So listener, as you keep going on your language learning journey, remember this. Your emotions are with you, not against you. Tech is your tool, not your boss.

(18:38 - 18:46)
And the world is your classroom, just waiting for you to explore it. Keep learning, keep connecting, and keep diving deep. Until next time, happy learning.

(18:46 - 19:02)
This has been such a cool deep dive exploring how emotion speaking tests and the future of language learning all kind of fit together. But before we wrap up, I want to bring it back to you. What can you take away from all of this for your own language learning journey? Here's a question to think about.

(19:03 - 19:37)
Could being more aware of how you're feeling during test prep actually help you do better? That's interesting. We usually try to ignore our emotions during tests, especially big ones like the TOEFL. But what if instead of fighting those feelings, we actually listen to them? Right. 

Emotions can be like little messengers, giving us clues about what's going on in our heads. If you start getting super anxious when you're trying to figure out grammar, maybe that means you need to spend more time practicing that stuff. So instead of pushing those feelings away, we can actually use them to make a better study plan.

(19:37 - 19:46)
Like if you're getting frustrated with something, don't just keep banging your head against the wall. Take a break, try a different approach, or find some extra help. And think about how AI could take this to a whole new level.

(19:47 - 20:02)
AI tools could actually track how you're feeling as you learn, helping you see patterns and figure out what works best for you. That's crazy. Imagine an app that not only teaches you vocab, but also says, hey, I noticed you get stressed when you're practicing speaking.

(20:03 - 20:11)
Let's do some relaxation exercises before your next session. Exactly. It's all about making learning not just effective, but also emotionally smart.

(20:12 - 20:32)
This whole deep dive has been a real eye opener. We've learned that even though emotions might not totally make or break your score on a speaking test, they're definitely a part of how we learn and express ourselves. And AI has this incredible potential to totally change how we approach language learning, giving us personalized feedback, creating super engaging content, and making those resources available to everyone around the world.

(20:33 - 20:42)
So listeners, you continue on your language learning journey, remember this. Your emotions are not the enemy. Embrace them, learn from them, and let them guide you towards a learning experience that's truly yours.

(20:43 - 20:55)
Keep exploring the world of language learning, and stay curious about all the amazing ways technology is shaping the future of education. Until next time, happy learning. And thanks for joining us on the deep dive.