TOEFL Speaking (for the AI Era)
Get the inside track on all things TOEFL® Speaking—from expert breakdowns of the test’s scoring rubrics to cutting-edge research on how AI like SpeechRater™ evaluates your performance.
Whether it's leveraging movie-based learning techniques or diving into the psychology behind language assessment, each episode gives you a front-row seat to the latest strategies, tips, and tools to help you master the Speaking section.
We don’t just stop at exam prep. We explore the bigger picture of how the TOEFL shapes language learning, how automated scoring impacts your results, and what really goes on behind the scenes at ETS. If you want to understand the nuances of TOEFL Speaking and learn how to make your test performance stand out, this podcast is for you.
This podcast is made possible through a blend of innovative AI solutions, including NotebookLM, ElevenLabs, ChatGPT, Suno, and Buzzsprout.
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TOEFL Speaking (for the AI Era)
CBT Speaking Insights: Strategies to Maximize TOEFL Speaking Performance
Discover how strategic planning and cutting-edge AI technology can elevate your TOEFL Speaking performance in this episode of the TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast for the AI Era. We delve into fascinating research exploring the role of planning time in language tests and uncover why "less planning" might sometimes lead to surprising results. Learn practical strategies to enhance fluency, accuracy, and complexity while preparing for the TOEFL.
Join us as we discuss how AI-powered tools like speech recognition and personalized feedback are revolutionizing language learning, bridging gaps for learners worldwide, and helping students tackle challenges under pressure. Whether you're an aspiring TOEFL test-taker or simply curious about the future of education, this episode is packed with insights to help you succeed on your academic journey.
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Welcome back, everyone, for another deep dive.
(0:25 - 0:37)
This time, we're going to be jumping into the world of language learning, specifically how planning time affects performance on language tests. Interesting. Have you ever gotten those pre-test jitters? Yeah.
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You know, where you're just like, all those hours of studying even matter? You know, every language learner asks that question. Right. For sure.
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Luckily, there's some really cool research that might give us some answers. Awesome. We found a study from the Korean Journal of English Language and Linguistics, and they really dive deep into this.
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OK, so what did they actually do in this study? Like, how did they set it up? So they took 56 Korean university students, and they had them take English speaking and writing tests. OK. But here's the really interesting part.
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They had these same students take the tests under three different conditions. OK. So one was no planning time.
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No planning time. The second one was they had a few minutes beforehand to plan, and then the third one was they actually got extra time during the test to think. Wow, that's really interesting.
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So they're not just looking at general language ability. They're really trying to isolate the impact of the planning time. Exactly.
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OK, so let's get to the results. What happened with the speaking test? So with the speaking test, I mean, you would think that more time to plan would mean you'd have smoother, more complex speaking. Right, like you'd be more eloquent.
(1:49 - 1:57)
Here's the surprise. They found absolutely no significant difference in speaking performance across any of the conditions. Wait.
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Yeah. No difference at all. None.
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Like zero. Yeah, it's kind of crazy, right? That's wild. So how is that even possible? Well, you know, it's possible the speaking tests they used were a little too simple.
(2:09 - 2:25)
Like maybe they focused on everyday topics that just didn't really need that much planning, you know? Or maybe the two-minute speaking limit that they had just felt like enough time for these students. That's true. Even without that dedicated planning time beforehand.
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I guess sometimes when you're put on the spot, you can be surprisingly articulate. Yeah. So that fight or flight response kicks in, and the words just like start coming out.
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It really is. You know, you get that adrenaline rush, and sometimes that helps you focus better. So maybe in this case, that time pressure actually helped them, even without having a chance to plan.
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OK, so it's like sometimes that pressure can be a good thing. Interesting. Yeah.
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So the takeaway here is maybe don't stress too much about like planning every single word you're going to say for your next speaking test. Right, like just go with the flow a little bit. But what about writing? OK, so for writing, this is where things get really interesting.
(3:06 - 3:21)
So for the writing portion, both having time to plan before and having extra time during the writing itself led to significant improvements. In what? In fluency and accuracy. OK, so planning does make a difference when it comes to writing.
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So which type of planning was better, like beforehand or during? Well, the study found that the biggest improvements actually came when students had that extra time to revise and polish their work during the task. So it's all about those last minute edits. Yeah.
(3:36 - 4:02)
That's actually a really valuable insight for anyone who's prepping for something like the TOEFL essay, because you get those extra few minutes to refine your arguments and fix any grammar errors. And that could make a big difference. Exactly, and that's where I think it's important to highlight the connection to the global challenges that a lot of students face when preparing for the TOEFL speaking test.
(4:02 - 4:17)
Yeah, like what kind of challenges? So improving your fluency and accuracy when you're under pressure, especially in a timed testing environment, is a huge hurdle for a lot of learners all over the world. That's so true. And it's not just about grammar and vocabulary.
(4:17 - 4:24)
It's about thinking clearly and expressing your ideas well in a different language. Especially under pressure. Especially under pressure.
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So this research is kind of suggesting that even a little bit of extra time to plan and revise can really improve those skills. It can. But then there's the issue of access to quality language resources and feedback.
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And that can be really limited for a lot of students. For sure, especially those in areas with fewer opportunities for education. Right.
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Yeah. And this is where technology comes in. Exactly.
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Especially AI power tools. Yeah. Imagine if every student, no matter where they were, had access to a personalized language tutor.
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Wow. That could give them detailed feedback on their speaking and writing. That would be amazing.
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And help them identify where they need to improve, and then help them practice those skills in a real world setting. That would be incredible. And it's not a fantasy anymore.
(5:14 - 5:23)
No. It's actually becoming a reality with the rise of these AI powered platforms for language learning. Yeah, especially those using speech reader technology.
(5:23 - 5:29)
Yeah. They can analyze pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary, grammar in such detail. Yeah.
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Giving that personalized feedback that traditional learning just doesn't give you. It's like having a language expert right in your pocket whenever you need it. Exactly.
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And it would be so helpful for people who can't access regular language classes. For sure. Or practice with native speakers.
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Yeah. So it's really about making these opportunities available to everyone. Everyone, no matter where they are.
(5:52 - 6:02)
No matter where they are, this is really exciting stuff. But let's not get ahead of ourselves. We've seen that planning helps with writing, but does it actually lead to higher scores? That's a great question.
(6:02 - 6:04)
Yeah. So here's another curveball. Oh, no.
(6:05 - 6:22)
The study found no significant difference in scores across any of the planning conditions. Really? For both speaking and writing. Wait, so you're telling me that planning leads to improvements in writing, but those improvements don't actually translate into a better score.
(6:22 - 6:35)
It is kind of a puzzle, isn't it? Yeah, that's wild. It could be that the people who were grading these tests were so focused on accuracy. That they didn't really see the overall improvement in the writing quality as a whole.
(6:36 - 6:45)
OK. Or maybe the computer-based format itself played a role. Maybe students felt less motivated to push their boundaries with complexity and fluency.
(6:45 - 6:49)
Right, because there's not a real person on the other side. Exactly. Interesting.
(6:49 - 6:58)
So it's possible the test format itself could actually be preventing students from showing their full potential. Yeah, even if they did benefit from the planning time. Right.
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That's something to think about. It is, and it raises an important question. How can we design these language tests to accurately assess the students' real abilities? We need to consider these nuances of planning time and the different formats.
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That's a very complex question. It is. But AI could maybe help address that.
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Exactly. And this is where AI's impact on education and test prep becomes really important. It's not just about feedback.
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It's about creating more personalized learning experiences. That can really cater to each student's needs. So instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, we could have AI helping create these tailored test environments that adjust based on someone's strengths and weaknesses.
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Exactly. And then everyone has a fairer chance to actually show their true language skills. Exactly.
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It's about moving beyond these old standardized tests and creating something more dynamic and individual. This is really interesting stuff. It is.
(7:56 - 8:12)
We've covered a lot. We talked about the surprising findings about planning time and the potential for AI to totally revolutionize language learning and test prep. But there's one more really fascinating thing from this research that I want to touch on.
(8:13 - 8:30)
They found this connection between complexity fluency and accuracy. What's that all about? So this is where we get into some really nuanced stuff. So planning time did boost fluency and accuracy, but it didn't actually lead to more complex language.
(8:30 - 8:44)
Yeah, and in some cases, there was actually a negative relationship between complexity and accuracy. So you're saying that if I focus on being accurate, it might actually hold me back from using more complex language? It could. That's tough.
(8:44 - 9:03)
It is a tough balancing act. It shows how much of a challenge it is for learners to push their boundaries while also being accurate. Yeah, it's like when you're learning a new language and you're so worried about making a mistake that you just stick to simple sentences and avoid those fancy grammar structures or big words that you learned.
(9:03 - 9:07)
Exactly. And this is where I think AI can be really helpful. I hope so.
(9:07 - 9:29)
Well, imagine an AI tool that not only checks your grammar and vocabulary, but also gives you feedback on how complex and sophisticated your language is. It could encourage you to use more diverse sentences and advanced vocabulary and really push your abilities while also making sure you're not being inaccurate. So it's like having a personal language coach that's constantly pushing you to be better.
(9:29 - 9:36)
That's incredible. That's just one example of how AI can be a game changer for language learners. For sure.
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Especially those getting ready for those big tests like the TOEFL. Definitely. OK, this is all so exciting.
(9:43 - 10:00)
But before we go too deep into this world of AI and how amazing it is, let's take a step back and remember what this all means for the average language learner out there. That's a great point. Yeah, let's bring this back down to Earth and talk about some practical takeaways from this research.
(10:00 - 10:03)
OK. I think our listeners would appreciate that. They would.
(10:03 - 10:07)
So let's take a quick break and gather our thoughts. All right. And we'll be back to break it all down.
(10:07 - 10:18)
Sounds good. OK, so we've been looking at this research on planning time and how it affects your performance on language tests. Yeah, especially when it comes to the TOEFL speaking test.
(10:18 - 10:23)
Right. And it's really important for students everywhere who are trying to get better scores. Absolutely.
(10:23 - 10:32)
TOEFL is so important for so many academic and professional goals. And being able to speak fluently is a big part of that. It is.
(10:33 - 10:48)
But as we saw, mastering a language under pressure in a test environment can be really hard. It can, and for a lot of students, especially those who might not have access to good language instruction or people to practice with. Native speakers.
(10:48 - 10:58)
Yeah, it can feel impossible. And it's like this research shows how important planning and revision are. But for a lot of learners, just getting enough practice time can be a struggle.
(10:58 - 11:05)
Exactly. And that's why AI tools are so exciting Imagine every student could have their own personal tutor.
(11:06 - 11:12)
Wow. That could give them feedback on their speaking and tell them where to improve. That would be a game changer.
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And it's becoming more and more possible with all the advancements in AI. It really is. Like platforms that use speech rater technology.
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They can analyze your pronunciation, fluency, vocabulary, and grammar so precisely. Really? Yeah, it's like having a language expert right there with you. Right in your pocket.
(11:31 - 11:36)
Yeah, exactly. And they can also simulate the TOEFL speaking test environment. That's great.
(11:36 - 11:43)
So students can practice under realistic conditions. I think that's so important because test anxiety can be a huge problem. Oh, yeah, for sure.
(11:44 - 11:51)
And having the chance to practice in that kind of setting can really build confidence. It can. And reduce stress on test day.
(11:51 - 11:58)
It's like having a dress rehearsal. Right. You get familiar with the format and the timing so you can just focus on using your language skills.
(11:58 - 12:16)
So speaking of using your language skills, this research talked about that trade-off between complexity, fluency, and accuracy. Right. How can AI help learners balance those three things, especially when they're getting ready for a test like the TOEFL? That's where the personalized feedback from AI really helps.
(12:16 - 12:31)
OK. Imagine a tool that not only catches your grammar mistakes, but also looks at how sophisticated your vocabulary and sentences are. It could encourage you to try more complex grammar and use more advanced vocabulary.
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While still being accurate. Exactly. It's about finding that sweet spot.
(12:36 - 12:45)
That's amazing. Yeah, it's like having a coach who's always pushing you to be better. So AI can really personalize the learning experience in that way.
(12:45 - 12:55)
Yes, instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, it can adapt to each learner's needs. This is so much more than just memorizing words and grammar rules. It is.
(12:55 - 13:04)
It's about really understanding the language and knowing how to use it. Yeah. I think AI has the potential to completely change how we learn and test languages.
(13:04 - 13:07)
I agree. But let's get back to the research we were talking about. Yeah.
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We saw that more planning time didn't always mean higher test scores. Right. So what does that tell us about planning and performance? Well, it's more complicated than just practicing a lot.
(13:17 - 13:24)
It's about being strategic with your learning and how you prepare for the test. AI can definitely help with that. Also.
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It can give you insights into your test-taking habits and help you see where you might be losing points because of time management. Or like little mistakes. Yeah, exactly.
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It's about taking a holistic approach and using AI to guide you through the whole process. It's amazing how much AI can change how we learn and assess languages. It really is.
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But we've talked a lot about the good things about AI. What about the downsides? Yeah. That's a good point.
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Any technology can be used in ways that are good and bad. Right. It's not a perfect solution.
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No, it's a tool. We need to use it responsibly. Exactly.
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And we need to be aware of potential biases and make sure it's accessible to everyone. You shouldn't forget that human interaction is still so important. Absolutely.
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It's a balance. But I think we're getting better at figuring it out. I think so, too.
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OK, so let's think about all this for a minute. And then we'll come back with our final thoughts. All right, so we've really gone deep into this whole thing of planning time and how it affects how well you do on language tests, especially the TOEFL speaking test.
(14:29 - 14:53)
We've seen how helpful these AI-powered tools can be for people learning languages, giving feedback, simulating tests, and just personalizing the whole experience. Yeah, it's amazing to think that AI can help students all over the world have a chance to learn and do well on these tests. It's all about giving people the same opportunities, no matter where they're from or what their background is.
(14:53 - 15:06)
But like we said, it's important to be careful with AI and understand that it's not perfect. We can't just think technology will magically fix everything. We need to find a good balance between what humans are good at and what technology can do.
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And use AI in a way that helps people, not replaces them. That brings us back to what we started with. What does all of this mean for our listeners out there? How can they use this info to get better at languages, especially if they're getting ready for the TOEFL? It's a great question.
(15:21 - 15:34)
And the most important thing to remember is that planning is important, but it's not the only thing. You need to be smart about how you learn and prepare for the test. Use the AI tools, but also practice good study habits and don't be afraid to make mistakes.
(15:34 - 15:45)
Exactly, try different things, get feedback, and don't give up when it gets hard. Learning a language is a journey, not a race. And if you've got the right tools and attitude, you can achieve anything.
(15:46 - 15:55)
That's a great way to wrap things up. Thanks for joining us on this deep dive into language learning and the incredible world of AI. Until next time, keep learning and keep exploring.
