Empowering Speaking Skills Through Debate

In this episode of the TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast, we explore how debate can empower English learners to enhance their speaking skills, reduce anxiety, and build confidence. Drawing on fascinating research from Herat University in Afghanistan, we uncover how a six-week debate program helped students improve critical thinking, fluency, and the ability to construct clear arguments—key skills for excelling in the TOEFL speaking section.

Discover how the dynamic nature of debate mirrors the challenges of TOEFL tasks, and learn how incorporating this practice can foster motivation and community among learners. We also dive into the transformative role of AI-powered tools, like SpeechRater, which provide personalized feedback and simulate real test conditions, helping learners practice effectively and track their progress.

This episode goes beyond test prep, offering strategies for integrating debate principles into everyday communication and emphasizing the importance of blending human connection with technology to achieve success. Whether you're preparing for the TOEFL or looking to improve your speaking skills, this deep dive offers valuable insights to help you thrive.

Tune in to learn, connect, and unlock your speaking potential!

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 to a Deep Dive. We're tackling a question that I bet a lot of you have thought about, like how do we get better at speaking, you know, especially when we're nervous or under pressure. 

Right, yeah, that's a big one. We're going to look at some research about this from Herat University in Afghanistan, and they looked at how debate can help people learn to speak English as a foreign language, so EFL learners. Oh, interesting. 

Yeah, think about it, right? Like, Afghanistan, you don't automatically think debate's central, and I think that's what makes this research kind of cool. Yeah, it's definitely not the first place that comes to mind. Yeah, so they took 44 sophomore students, they were all learning English, and they had them practice debating for six weeks, and then, like, they checked to see how much they improved.

(1:13 - 1:18)
I see. And you know what? The results were actually really impressive. Oh, really? Yeah.

(1:18 - 2:54)
So what did they find? Well, they found that the students got a lot better at speaking, but, you know, what's interesting to me is how this connects to, like, the TOEFL, the test of English as a foreign language. Okay, I can see where you're going with this. So how does debate in Afghanistan help someone get a better school on the TOEFL speaking section? Yeah, right. 

It does seem kind of random. Yeah. But, like, think about it. 

The speaking part of the TOEFL is kind of like a debate, you know, just without someone arguing against you directly. Right. You got to be clear about your ideas, support what you say with evidence, and you got to do all of that super fast, right? Doesn't that sound a lot like what you do in a debate? It totally does. 

You have to think quickly, come up with good arguments, and convince people even when you're under pressure. Exactly. Yeah, exactly. 

And, you know, the study found that doing debate actually helped the students feel less anxious about speaking. Like, remember how stressed you get when you're taking the TOEFL and the clock is ticking down? Well, imagine if you could stay calm, like really in control, and just say what you need to say without that crazy anxiety. Wow, that would be huge for so many people taking the TOEFL. 

I mean, I remember when I took that speaking test, I was so nervous. I, like, completely blanked out. Oh, yeah, I've been there. 

And that actually brings us to another thing the study found. The students were way more motivated in their English classes after they did the debate program. Yeah, that makes sense. 

Like, if you're confident and not freaking out, you're more likely to participate and actually try to get better, right? Yeah, totally. It's like, it's not just about, like, being less stressed. It's about actually wanting to learn and practice English.

(2:54 - 3:34)
Yeah, it's like you're excited about it. Exactly. But, you know, let's be real. 

Not everyone can just join a debate club, especially if you're studying for the TOEFL all by yourself. Right, that's true. So, like, how can people get those benefits? Okay, well, this is where technology gets really interesting. 

Think about this. What if you had a personal debate coach, like, available 24-7 to give you feedback on your speaking and help you practice making strong arguments? Oh, wow. Yeah, right. 

And that's kind of what AI-powered platforms are doing now, especially those with SpeechRater technology. Okay, hold on, SpeechRater. What's that? It's like having someone who grades the TOEFL speaking section right there in your pocket.

(3:35 - 3:52)
SpeechRater can analyze all sorts of stuff, like your pronunciation, how smoothly you speak, the words you use, your grammar, even how well you put your argument together. Whoa, so it's like those pre-test and post-tests they used in the study, but digital, and you can use it whenever. That's so cool.

(3:52 - 4:03)
Yeah, and it's like a judge in a debate giving you super detailed feedback to help you improve. Wow. AI is, like, totally changing how we learn languages and prep for tests.

(4:04 - 4:24)
It's making those fancy resources that used to be only for certain people available to everyone all over the world, no matter where they live or how much money they have. Yeah, that's amazing. That's, like, truly making education accessible to everyone, right? Exactly, and that's especially important for people in places where they might not have good test prep resources or where those resources are super expensive.

(4:24 - 4:32)
Right, or even just for people who might be afraid to speak English because they're not fluent yet. Yeah. AI can help them get over that fear and feel more confident.

(4:33 - 5:37)
Totally. AI platforms can give you specific feedback, personalized exercises, and they can even simulate the TOEFL speaking section. Whoa, it's like having your own personal language lab. 

This is super exciting. But, you know, before we get totally carried away with all the cool AI stuff, let's go back to the research for a sec. We talked about how debate can make you less anxious and more motivated, but what about the actual skills? Like, what specific speaking skills did the debate program help improve? Oh yeah, good point. 

Well, the study found that students got way better at a bunch of things. They got better at researching and using evidence to back up their arguments, their critical thinking skills got sharper, and they even felt more comfortable using natural, everyday English. Okay, so those are all super important for the TOEFL speaking section, right? You need to be able to support what you say, think critically about different points of view, and, like, speak fluently and naturally. 

Yep, exactly. And the researchers think that debate was a big reason why the students developed those skills. So, like, debate was basically training them for the TOEFL without them even realizing it.

(5:37 - 5:46)
Right. They had to think on their feet, be ready for people to disagree with them, and come up with convincing answers. They had to learn how to research and find evidence.

(5:46 - 5:59)
And they had to practice speaking in a way that was clear and interesting. Wow, that's amazing. But what's really interesting to me is that this study's findings could be helpful for more than just people learning English as a second language.

(5:59 - 6:48)
I agree. It makes you wonder, could debate also help native English speakers who are prepping for the TOEFL? Yeah. Could it make their arguments stronger, make them more confident speakers, or even help them understand English on a deeper level? That's a great question. 

And it's something we should definitely explore more. But first, let's take a closer look at how AI is changing the world of TOEFL preparation. You know, thinking about this study and the TOEFL, what's really interesting is how much they both emphasize using authentic language. 

The researchers found that the students who did the debate program started using English more spontaneously. Oh, so it wasn't just about memorizing grammar rules or a bunch of vocab words, right? Right. Exactly. 

It was about actually using the language in a real conversation. Yeah. Yeah, that makes sense.

(6:48 - 6:59)
And that's super important for the TOEFL speaking section. The people grading the test, they want to see that you can actually talk to someone in English in like a normal everyday situation. Okay, I get it.

(6:59 - 7:03)
Yeah. It's not enough to just know the rules. You have to actually be able to use the language.

(7:04 - 7:47)
Yeah. But how does debate help with that? Well, think about what happens in a debate, right? Yeah. It's back and forth. 

It's unpredictable. You got to think fast. You have to respond to what the other person says, and you have to explain your ideas really clearly so they understand what you mean. 

It's not like reciting something from memory or reading from a script. Oh, yeah. I see what you mean. 

It forces you to get out of your comfort zone and actually use the language. Exactly. And the more you practice using English like that, the easier it gets, and the more confident you become. 

Anything you do, the more you practice, the better you get. Right. And having that confidence can make a huge difference when you're taking the test, right? If you're calm and you know what you're doing, you're going to think more clearly and be able to express yourself better.

(7:47 - 9:01)
Oh, totally. Confidence is everything, especially when you're in a stressful situation like a test. And that's another way that AI can be super helpful. 

It can not only give you feedback on how you're speaking, but it can also help you practice in a safe environment where you don't feel judged. Oh, that's a good point. It's not just about finding out what you need to work on. 

It's also about having a place where you can try things out, make mistakes and get better without being afraid of messing up. Exactly. AI can do that in a way that a regular classroom often can't. 

With AI, you can practice at your own speed, get instant feedback on your pronunciation and stuff, and you can even try different speaking tasks and situations to get ready for the TOEFL speaking section. Wow. Like having a virtual speaking buddy whenever you need one. 

And it's not just about practicing, right? AI can help you learn in a way that's personalized just for you. It can analyze your strengths and weaknesses, track how much you're improving, and even recommend specific exercises and resources that are right for you. Exactly. 

You just hit on something super important. Personalization. AI is letting us move away from that old school, one-size-fits-all way of learning and create learning paths that are unique to each student.

(9:01 - 9:09)
Yeah, that's so cool. It's like having a study plan that's made just for you. That changes as you learn and helps you focus on the areas where you need the most help.

(9:09 - 9:19)
Exactly. And that can be super motivating when you feel like you're learning in a way that's designed just for you and your goals. You're way more likely to stay focused and actually do the work to succeed.

(9:20 - 10:00)
So it's not about replacing teachers with robots. It's about technology, helping teachers be more effective and create better learning experiences for their students. I completely agree. 

AI can handle all the boring, repetitive stuff like grading papers and giving basic feedback. That gives teachers more time to focus on important stuff like helping students, having discussions, and creating a fun and engaging learning environment. Yeah, I like that. 

It's like a team effort. Technology helps the teachers and teachers inspire the students. Exactly. 

But we can't forget about the human element in all of this. Oh, right. What about that? Well, learning a language, it's a social thing, right? It's about connecting with other people, sharing ideas, and making friends.

(10:01 - 10:10)
And while AI can definitely help with those connections, it can't replace talking to people face-to-face and working together. Yeah, I totally agree. Technology is great, but it's not magic.

(10:11 - 10:35)
Right. It works best when you use it in a smart way, as part of a bigger learning plan that includes talking to people, using the language in real situations, and having a good support system. Totally. 

And that brings us back to that study we talked about, the one about debate. The researchers found that the debate program not only helped students get better at speaking, but it also created a sense of community. They felt like they were all in it together.

(10:36 - 10:43)
Oh, wow. So it wasn't just about each student improving on their own. It was about creating a space where they could learn from each other and support each other.

(10:43 - 10:57)
Exactly. And that's something AI can actually help with too. Some AI platforms have online forums or groups where students studying for the TOEFL can connect with each other, share tips and stuff, and even practice speaking together.

(10:57 - 12:23)
Well, that's cool. It's like a virtual study group, but you can connect with people from all over the world. Exactly. 

It shows that prepping for the TOEFL doesn't have to be a lonely thing. You can actually learn and grow with other people, encourage each other and celebrate each other's successes. That's a great point. 

So as we're kind of wrapping up this part of the deep dive, what are some of the main things our listeners should remember as they start getting ready for the TOEFL? Okay. Well, first, definitely use technology. There are some amazing AI tools out there that can make your learning experience more personalized, give you feedback on exactly what you need to work on and help you get better at speaking. 

But don't forget about the human side of things. Talk to other people who are studying, get advice from teachers or mentors, and remember that learning a language is about connecting with others. As we dig into this whole AI and TOEFL prep thing, what really strikes me is just how many different tools and platforms there are out there. 

There's seriously something for everyone, no matter how you learn best or what you need help with. Yeah. So it's not like everyone has to use the same thing, right? There are AI tools that are all about pronunciation, others that focus on grammar and vocab, and some that even let you try out the TOEFL speaking section, like a simulation. 

It's like having your own personal language learning toolbox. Exactly. And that's what makes AI so powerful. 

It lets you focus on what you need to work on the most. Imagine someone who's having a hard time with pronunciation. Yeah, I can relate to that.

(12:23 - 12:52)
They could use one of these AI tools to get feedback right away on how they're saying things, practice those tricky words and sounds, and even track their progress over time. That would be so helpful. I remember trying to get my American accent perfect before I took the TOEFL. 

It would have been amazing to have something that could listen to me and tell me exactly what to work on. And think about students who are learning English in a place where no one really speaks it. They might not have a chance to talk to native speakers or practice in real life very often.

(12:53 - 13:23)
AI can help with that. It can be like a virtual speaking partner, and some even have feedback from real TOEFL teachers. Wow, that's awesome. 

Technology is making it so that anyone can learn no matter where they are or what their background is. Yeah, exactly. It's pretty amazing. 

And it's not just for students learning on their own. AI is also changing how teachers prep students for the TOEFL. Some platforms have tools that let teachers see how their students are doing, figure out where they need extra help, and even make lesson plans that are tailored to each student.

(13:24 - 13:29)
That's so cool. So AI isn't replacing teachers. It's actually helping them be even better teachers.

(13:30 - 13:44)
Exactly. AI can take care of the boring stuff, like grading and giving basic feedback. And that gives teachers more time to do what they do best, like mentoring students, leading discussions, and making learning fun and interesting.

(13:44 - 13:57)
I love it. It's like this perfect partnership where everyone benefits. Totally. 

But, you know, we can't forget about that human connection we were talking about before. Right, yeah. Learning a language is all about talking to people, you know, connecting with others.

(13:57 - 14:04)
AI can help with that, but it can't replace actually being with other people. Yeah, for sure. I mean, technology is great, but it's not everything.

(14:04 - 15:07)
Right. It's got to be part of a bigger plan where you're talking to people, using the language in real life, and having people to support you. Absolutely. 

That makes me think back to that study about debate. The researchers found that besides helping with speaking skills, the debate program also helped the students feel more connected, like they were part of a team. Oh, that's awesome. 

So it wasn't just about getting better individually. It was about learning and growing together. Exactly. 

And you know what? AI can actually help with that, too. Some platforms have, like, online forums or discussion groups where students prepping for TOEFL can chat with each other, share tips, and even practice speaking together. Oh, that's a great idea. 

It's like a virtual study group where you can connect with people from all over the world. Exactly. And it just goes to show that getting ready for the TOEFL doesn't have to be a solo mission. 

You can do it with other people, encourage each other, and celebrate each other's wins. I love that. So as we wrap up this deep dive, what are some of the key things our listeners should remember as they start their own TOEFL journey? Okay, well, first, definitely use all the cool AI tools out there.

(15:07 - 15:19)
They can really personalize your learning, give you specific feedback, and help you become a better speaker. But don't forget about the human side of things. Talk to other students, find a teacher or mentor who can help you.

(15:19 - 15:34)
And remember that learning a language is all about connecting with people. And most importantly, believe in yourself. The TOEFL might seem scary, but with the right strategies, some hard work, and a supportive community, you can totally reach your goals and open up a whole world of possibilities.

(15:34 - 15:45)
Absolutely. So keep learning, keep practicing, and keep pushing yourself to be the best communicator you can be. And remember, we're here to support you every step of the way.

(15:45 - 15:49)
Until next time, keep exploring, keep asking questions, and keep diving deep.