Does Extended Planning Improve TOEFL Speaking Performance?

In this episode of the TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast, we explore a groundbreaking approach to the TOEFL speaking section: online planning. Drawing from recent research on Iranian TOEFL test takers, we examine how extending speaking time while reducing preparation time can lead to significant improvements in fluency, accuracy, and complexity.

Discover how shifting your mindset from rigid preparation to a more natural speaking flow can reduce pressure, enhance language use, and unlock your full communication potential. We also delve into the role of AI-powered tools, like SpeechRater, in providing personalized feedback, helping you refine your pronunciation, vocabulary, and response structure.

Learn practical strategies for integrating online planning into your study routine, effectively tackling integrated tasks, and building confidence to think and speak on your feet. This episode isn’t just about test prep—it’s about rethinking communication, embracing authenticity, and finding your unique voice.

Tune in for actionable insights and a fresh perspective on improving your TOEFL speaking performance and beyond. Let your language flow and discover the power of speaking with confidence!

Source

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• My Speaking Score

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• TOEFL Speaking Course
• SpeechRater Blog
• SpeechRater Knowledge Base

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Transcript

All right, so let's dive into this idea of TOEFL prep, especially that speaking section. And are all those hours you're putting in really paying off? Yeah.

(0:34 - 0:39)
You know, it's funny. We always assume more prep time means like a better score, right? Right. More prep, better score.

(0:39 - 0:46)
But this research kind of flips that on its head. It really does, especially when it comes to actually speaking on the TOEFL. Exactly.

(0:46 - 0:56)
We found this study with some Iranian TOEFL test takers. Oh, interesting. And they basically messed with the, you know, that standard prep time you get in the speaking section.

(0:56 - 1:01)
So what did they do? Like, how did they change it? I'm curious. So they had two groups. Yeah.

(1:01 - 1:08)
Right. One group using the typical format, you know, short prep time. The other group, they actually added that prep time to the speaking time instead.

(1:09 - 1:11)
So less prep time. More speaking time. Yeah.

(1:11 - 1:16)
They called it online planning. Hmm. So less separate prep, more time to actually speak.

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Okay. Interesting concept. What happened? Well, across all four speaking tasks, the online planning group did better.

(1:24 - 1:36)
Consistently, they scored higher in fluency accuracy, even the complexity of their speech. They were just better at getting their ideas across. And I bet, especially when it came to like summarizing info from those integrated tasks.

(1:37 - 1:47)
Especially those integrated tasks, like you think about task two, right? Oh, yeah. Where you've got to like synthesize the reading about that campus situation and then the conversation you hear. Right.

(1:47 - 1:51)
Pull it all together. The online planning group, they excelled there. Interesting.

(1:51 - 2:00)
Their content accuracy was way higher. Wow. Seems like that longer speaking time really helped them process and then remember the information better.

(2:00 - 2:03)
Huh. So it's that flow, right? It's that flow. Yeah.

(2:03 - 2:07)
You know? Versus like stopping and prepping. Right. Having that separate prep phase.

(2:07 - 2:12)
Maybe keeping those ideas fresh in their mind. Makes sense. It's like when you cram for a test.

(2:12 - 2:15)
Oh, totally. You just have this jumbled mess of facts. Right.

(2:15 - 2:20)
But when you can like talk it out, discuss it, you know. It clicks. It starts to click.

(2:20 - 2:25)
Yeah. So the researchers are saying this online planning, it reduces pressure too. Yeah.

(2:25 - 2:37)
Less pressure. Allows test takers to like access their language knowledge better. It's not just about like, you know, recalling the facts, right? It's about having the mental space to really use your language.

(2:37 - 2:39)
To use what, you know. Yeah. To its full potential.

(2:40 - 2:45)
So it's not just memorizing vocab and grammar. It's being able to use it. In a moment.

(2:45 - 2:47)
Yeah. In real time. Exactly.

(2:47 - 2:53)
And that's where technology comes in, right? Oh, yeah. AI powered tools are becoming so crucial here. Oh, I was just thinking that.

(2:54 - 3:01)
Imagine a tool that can simulate this whole online planning environment. Give you that space to practice speaking for longer. Yeah.

(3:01 - 3:05)
And then give you feedback on it. That would be amazing. Targeted feedback.

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Were we talking about those platforms that use speech rater technology? That's exactly what I'm talking about. I've heard of those. They're pretty incredible.

(3:11 - 3:15)
They are. They go way beyond your typical grammar check, you know. Right.

(3:15 - 3:26)
Speech rater can assess like your pronunciation, your vocabulary, even like how well you structure your responses. Which is very similar to what those researchers were looking at, you know. It is.

(3:26 - 3:40)
And what's really cool is that AI is making these tools accessible globally regardless of where you are or what resources you have. It's like having a personal language coach like 24-7. Yeah, exactly.

(3:40 - 3:44)
And think about students who don't have English as their first language. Oh, yeah. Huge challenge.

(3:44 - 3:50)
This is huge. Yeah. These AI-powered tools, they can really break down those barriers.

(3:50 - 3:58)
By giving that personalized feedback. Exactly. Helping them figure out, you know, what are my strengths? What are my weaknesses? It's not one size fits all.

(3:59 - 4:10)
So this research is telling us maybe the way we've been doing speaking practice, you know, short bursts, lots of prep time. Maybe it's time for a change. Maybe we need to rethink it.

(4:10 - 4:17)
What if we focused on extending those speaking durations? Let those language skills flow. Let it flow. That's a really interesting idea.

(4:17 - 4:23)
It aligns perfectly with what AI tools are already doing. Giving students that platform. To speak freely.

(4:23 - 4:34)
And get that feedback. And improve. So maybe this AI approach could be the key to bridging the gap, you know? The gap between where students are and where they need to be to succeed on the TOEFL.

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But what about the other stuff like grammar and vocabulary? Of course. Those still matter, right? Absolutely, they still matter. But here's where it gets even more interesting.

(4:44 - 5:00)
The study found that the online planning group, they actually improved in those areas too. Really? Even without that dedicated prep time. It seems like being more relaxed and fluent while they were speaking, it actually had a ripple effect on their overall language skills.

(5:01 - 5:09)
So maybe focusing on fluency, it unlocks those other aspects. It's like they all feed into each other. And this brings up a really important point, you know, the TOEFL.

(5:09 - 5:14)
Yeah. It's designed to assess your ability to communicate. In a real academic setting.

(5:14 - 5:17)
Right. Exactly. It's not about like reciting memorized phrases.

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It's not about just knowing the rules. It's about using language to convey information clearly. Exactly.

(5:23 - 5:27)
And this whole idea of online planning. It speaks to that. It really does.

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It's about processing information in real time. Informing your thoughts into speech. Just like you would in a conversation.

(5:34 - 5:41)
Or in a classroom. Exactly. It sounds like this research is really challenging some assumptions about how we learn language.

(5:42 - 5:48)
How we assess it. Maybe we've been overemphasizing preparation. And underestimating just speaking.

(5:48 - 5:50)
The power of speaking. Yeah. And that's exciting.

(5:50 - 5:59)
That's exciting for students prepping for the TOEFL. And for the future of language learning. For everyone! Oh, before we get too carried away with the future, let's bring it back to now.

(6:00 - 6:09)
Back to the TOEFL. We've established this online planning thing with AI tools could be a game changer. Game changer! Especially for students facing those global challenges.

(6:09 - 6:22)
Yeah. But how do we actually put this into practice? That's the question, right? What are the steps? There are some practical strategies that we can talk about that will directly benefit your TOEFL prep. Alright, let's take a quick break and then we'll delve into those.

(6:22 - 6:33)
Okay, so we've talked about this online planning. And how using AI tools could really change the game for TOEFL prep. Yeah, it's a whole new way of thinking about it.

(6:33 - 6:58)
So let's get practical. What can our listeners actually do to use these ideas in their study routine? Well, the first thing is you've got to kind of shift your mindset, right? Instead of thinking of that prep time as like a chance to plan out every single word, think of it more as like gathering your thoughts, identifying the key points you want to hit. So less scripting, more like mental mapping? Exactly.

(6:58 - 7:10)
And then when you get to those speaking tasks, embrace that freedom of online planning, you know? Okay. Let yourself speak for longer, even if it feels a little weird at first. It's about building that fluency and confidence? Right.

(7:10 - 7:24)
Not about perfectly replicating the exam conditions. Make sense. So how can these AI platforms like the ones with SpeechRater, how can they actually help with this? They're like having a coach right there with you, pinpointing exactly where you need to improve.

(7:24 - 7:34)
They analyze everything. You're pacing your pronunciation, the complexity of your vocabulary, how well you structure your responses. That's amazing.

(7:34 - 7:47)
But the key is to use that feedback actively, right? Not just obsess over the score. Don't just get hung up on the number. Really dig into that feedback and understand what it means for you, for your own speaking style.

(7:47 - 7:50)
Yeah. And how you can grow. So it's like a cycle practice.

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Get feedback, adjust and repeat. Exactly. And don't be afraid to experiment.

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Try different things. Play around with your style. See what works best for you.

(7:59 - 8:04)
That's a great point. It's about finding your own voice within the framework of the test. You got it.

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But let's be real. Like a lot of test prep is still, you know, cram the vocab, cram the grammar rules. Yeah.

(8:11 - 8:21)
That's the classic approach. How does this new approach fit into that? Well, it's not about abandoning those things completely. It's about rethinking how we use them.

(8:21 - 8:35)
Imagine you're practicing task four, you know, where you have to explain a concept from a lecture. Instead of memorizing the definition word for word, try paraphrasing it in your own words, using vocab and grammar that feels natural to you. Got it.

(8:35 - 8:47)
Then you can use an AI tool to see how well you did. Did you use the right words? Was your explanation clear? So it's about using those skills in a more real way. Yeah.

(8:47 - 9:00)
More communicative, not just memorizing isolated facts. It's like what the TOEFL is actually testing you on, right? Using language effectively in an academic context. And this approach with the AI feedback, it's really empowering.

(9:00 - 9:09)
It is, especially for students who don't have access to like tutors or language immersion programs. It levels the playing field. It does.

(9:09 - 9:18)
It's incredible to think that students anywhere in the world can have this level of support. So much in life support. And it's not just about test prep.

(9:18 - 9:22)
It goes beyond that. Yeah. This AI driven learning could transform education.

(9:22 - 9:29)
It really could make it more accessible, more engaging, more effective for everyone. That's an exciting thought. It is.

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But before we go too far down that road. Let's bring it back. Back to the TOEFL and prepping for the speaking section.

(9:35 - 9:42)
Okay. We've talked about shifting our mindset, embracing online planning, using AI for feedback. All important stuff.

(9:42 - 9:54)
But what about the content itself? Ah, the content. What can you do to make sure your answers are actually hitting the mark? Especially on those tough integrated tasks. Yes.

(9:54 - 9:57)
Those are tricky. You're right. Content is crucial.

(9:57 - 10:04)
It's where you really show that you can handle the language. Not just speak it, but actually understand it. And use it to process information.

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And this is where that online planning mindset can really shine. Because you're not just spitting out memorized facts, you're actually thinking on your feet. You're making connections in real time.

(10:13 - 10:24)
Exactly. So how do we do that? Any tips for building those connections effectively? Well, one thing I like to do is focus on identifying the relationships between the different pieces of information. Okay.

(10:25 - 10:36)
You know, what are the main points? How do they connect? Are there any contradictions? So you're actively looking for those connections as you read and listen. Right. That way you're better prepared to put it all together in your spoken response.

(10:37 - 10:41)
It's like creating a mental map as you go. Highlighting the key points. Exactly.

(10:41 - 10:53)
And don't be afraid to use those signaling words and phrases. Oh, you mean like the reading stated or however the speaker countered? Yes. Those kinds of things.

(10:53 - 10:57)
It helps structure your response. And shows that you understand the connections. Right.

(10:57 - 11:02)
You're guiding the listener through your thought process. It's like providing those verbal signposts. Exactly.

(11:02 - 11:10)
And remember, practice makes perfect. The more you do this, the easier it gets. The more comfortable you become with thinking on your feet.

(11:10 - 11:15)
And weaving it all together. This is all starting to make sense, but I have one last question. Okay, shoot.

(11:15 - 11:23)
We've been talking about how this online planning is great for the TOEFL. Yeah. But couldn't it also be helpful for other types of communication? Mm-hmm.

(11:23 - 11:28)
Even just everyday conversations. That's a really interesting point. It is, isn't it? I think you're right.

(11:28 - 11:37)
This idea of speaking more freely and confidently. Instead of overplanning or scripting everything. It could really help us communicate better in all kinds of situations.

(11:37 - 11:43)
It's like giving ourselves permission to be more in the moment. And trust ourselves. Trust our ability to express ourselves.

(11:43 - 11:53)
Exactly. And who knows, maybe this shift towards online planning, with the help of AI, it could lead to a whole new way of communicating. More authentic.

(11:53 - 11:58)
More engaging. More human. Wouldn't that be something? That's a great thought to end on.

(11:58 - 12:04)
It is. It seems like our deep dive into TOEFL prep has taken us on quite a journey. It has.

(12:04 - 12:08)
Exploring the very nature of language and communication. Fascinating stuff. It is.

(12:08 - 12:15)
And I hope it's given our listeners a new way of thinking about not just the TOEFL. But any communication challenge they might face. Absolutely.

(12:15 - 12:21)
Remember, it's not about memorizing rules or being perfect. It's about finding your voice. Trusting your instinct.

(12:21 - 12:35)
Letting your language flow. And who knows, you might just surprise yourself. Who knows? Okay, so we've covered shifting our mindset, thinking about online planning, using AI tools for feedback, all really helpful stuff.

(12:35 - 12:50)
Yeah, lots of good strategies. But let's zero in on the content itself. How can our listeners make sure their responses are actually hitting those key points, especially on those tricky integrated tasks? Right, because content is king, right? Content is king.

(12:50 - 13:04)
It's where you really show that you can not just speak English, but actually understand and process information. And that's where this whole online planning thing can really be a game changer. Yeah, because you're not just reciting facts, you're thinking in real time.

(13:04 - 13:09)
You're connecting those ideas as you go. Exactly like building a bridge. A bridge.

(13:09 - 13:23)
Between the reading and listening material and your own spoken response. Okay, so how do we actually do that? Any tips for building that bridge effectively? One thing I always recommend is focusing on those key relationships between the different pieces of info. Okay.

(13:23 - 13:35)
What are the main points? You know, how do they connect? Are there any contradictions? So it's almost like creating a mental outline as you're going highlighting those main ideas. Exactly. And don't be afraid to use those signaling words and phrases.

(13:36 - 13:50)
Oh, you mean like the read and stated or how are the speaker countered? Exactly. Those little cues can help structure your response and show that you understand the connections between the different pieces. It's like you're giving those verbal signposts to your listener.

(13:50 - 13:56)
Exactly. And remember, practice makes perfect. The more you do this, the more natural it'll become.

(13:57 - 14:04)
The more comfortable you'll be thinking on your feet and weaving those connections together. Absolutely. This is all really starting to click, but I have one last question.

(14:04 - 14:24)
Okay, shoot. We've talked about how this online planning approach is great for the TOEFL, but couldn't it also be applied to other areas of communication, even everyday conversations? You know, I think you're onto something, this idea of focusing on speaking more freely. Yeah, not over-preparing or trying to script everything out.

(14:24 - 14:34)
It could really help us be better communicators in all sorts of situations. It's like giving ourselves permission to be more present in the moment. To trust our instincts and our ability to express ourselves.

(14:34 - 14:44)
Exactly. And who knows, maybe this whole shift towards online planning with the help of AI, it could lead to a whole new era of communication. It's a really exciting thought.

(14:44 - 14:50)
More authentic, more engaging, more human. I love it. Well, that's a great thought to end on.

(14:51 - 15:00)
It seems our little deep dive into TOEFL prep has taken us on a pretty big journey. It has, hasn't it? Exploring the very nature of language and communication. Fascinating stuff.

(15:01 - 15:10)
It really is. And I hope it's given our listeners a new way of thinking about not just the TOEFL, but any communication challenge they might face. Absolutely.

(15:10 - 15:17)
Remember, it's not about memorizing rules or trying to be perfect. It's about finding your voice. Trusting your instincts.

(15:17 - 15:20)
Letting your language flow. And who knows, you might just surprise yourself.