The Research-Backed Blueprint for TOEFL Speaking Success

In this episode of The TOEFL Speaking Prep Podcast for the AI Era, we explore groundbreaking research on language learning and how it can transform your TOEFL speaking preparation. We dive into the power of personalized learning styles, using the V-A-R-K model (visual, oral, read-write, kinesthetic) to tailor your approach. Learn how integrating content-based learning (CLIL) and AI tools can enhance your preparation, making it not only more engaging but also more effective.

From TED-Ed videos to AI-powered feedback platforms like SpeechRater, discover how these tools can help you analyze your speaking performance in real time, boost your fluency, and prepare you for the TOEFL test like never before. With AI's potential to deliver personalized feedback and learning paths, there's never been a better time to enhance your TOEFL speaking skills.

Tune in for practical tips and insights that break down barriers to learning, making high-quality education accessible to everyone. Whether you're a beginner or looking to fine-tune your speaking, this episode will inspire you to take control of your learning journey and achieve TOEFL success.

Stay tuned as we discuss how AI is revolutionizing not just TOEFL prep but education as a whole, making it easier, faster, and more personalized for learners everywhere.

Source

Free TOEFL Speaking practice:

• My Speaking Score

Free resources:

• TOEFL Speaking Course
• SpeechRater Blog
• SpeechRater Knowledge Base

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My Speaking Score serves 000s of users across the globe by helping them data-power their TOEFL Speaking prep.

Transcript

Hey, everyone. Getting ready for the TOEFL Speaking Test.

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It can be tough, right, trying to, you know, juggle all that vocab and grammar and pronunciation. And then on top of it, you got to sound natural. But what if there's a way to make it all a bit easier, like actually crack the code? Today, we're diving into some really cool research about how we learn best.

(0:57 - 1:16)
And get this, it even touches on how AI could totally change the game, especially for anyone aiming for TOEFL success. You're absolutely right. I mean, think about all the students around the world who don't have access to, you know, really great language learning resources, especially when it comes to feedback, like the personalized kind.

(1:16 - 1:24)
Yeah, that's such a good point. So that's one of the reasons this research from the Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics really caught my eye. OK, so let's break this down a bit.

(1:24 - 1:33)
This study looks at a new speaking model. But what's super interesting to me is how it connects to the way each of us learns best. You know, they use the V-A-R-K model.

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Ah, yes, V-A-R-K. It stands for visual, oral, read-write, and kinesthetic. It's kind of like figuring out how your brain likes to take in information.

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Yeah, it's like a roadmap to understanding how you learn. Exactly. Because a lot of times we try to learn things, but we're not really thinking about how we learn them best.

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Right, right. We just kind of hit our heads against the wall until something sticks. And this research found that when people were learning, they did really well when there was a mix of visual, oral, and read-write stuff.

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But here's the thing. Even though there were these things in common, people still had their own preferences. OK, I'm following you.

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So, like, even if everyone benefits from this mix, some people might lean more towards one style than another. Exactly. So, for example, let's say you're a visual learner.

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OK, so I like to see things. Pictures, videos, that kind of thing. Right.

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So you might learn better by watching videos, like maybe some successful TOEFL speaking responses, or even just sketching out your ideas before you have to, like, speak them out loud. That makes sense. So someone who's more oral, they might benefit from recording themselves, you know, practicing their speaking, and then listening back to see how they can do better.

(2:43 - 2:55)
You got it. And if you're more into reading and writing, well, maybe you could try creating really detailed outlines or even writing scripts to practice with. It's all about figuring out what works best for you and making it, you know, personalizing your prep.

(2:56 - 3:07)
I'm with you. Find what works for you and go with it. So this study brings up another really interesting idea, this thing called content and language integrated learning, or CLIL.

(3:07 - 3:17)
CLIL, yeah. Basically, it's about learning a language by, like, diving into interesting content instead of just memorizing grammar rules or word lists. Yeah, it's much more engaging.

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Think of it like this, instead of drilling vocabulary like it's some kind of chore. Which can be so boring. Exactly.

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Imagine watching a super cool TED-Ed video about, oh, I don't know, the history of chocolate. Ooh, I like where this is going. You're learning all these new words, you know, absorbing the grammar naturally.

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Right, without even realizing it. And you're actually learning about something you're genuinely interested in. Okay, I'm sold.

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So it's not just passively sitting there taking in information, it's about, like, actively engaging with it. And that makes a huge difference when it comes to remembering things and speaking more fluently. Exactly.

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And since the TOEFL, you know, often uses topics from different academic areas, this whole CLIL approach could be a real game changer. Absolutely, I think so too. Now, the researchers in this study took this idea and they created what they called a hybrid speaking model.

(4:10 - 4:18)
Oh, interesting. It basically combined CLIL with those personalized learning styles we talked about. They even used TED-Ed videos as, like, the main learning material.

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Makes sense. Those are pretty accessible. Most people know about TED Talks and stuff.

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Exactly. And what's cool is that they're already familiar to a lot of people. So what happened? Did it work? Well, let's just say the results were pretty impressive.

(4:30 - 4:39)
Spill the tea. People's speaking scores, you know, from before the study to after the study, they showed a significant improvement. Wow, that's awesome.

(4:39 - 4:45)
Yeah. And they also said they felt more confident and, like, more motivated too, which is a huge win. That's so important.

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If you're not motivated, it's hard to learn anything. Oh, for sure. And here's another interesting thing.

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The study was done with university students, but what they learned, those principles, they can apply to just about anyone. Oh, so it's not just for, like, young people or students. Nope, not at all.

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It doesn't matter how old you are or, you know, what your background is. So anyone can benefit from this. Exactly.

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If you understand your learning style and, you know, if you find content that's actually engaging, you can really unlock your potential when it comes to learning a language. That's so cool. It's like opening up all these new possibilities for people.

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Right. And this is where I think AI starts to come in and play a really important role. AI, yeah.

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That's what we were hinting at earlier. We've been talking about, you know, learning in a personalized way and getting feedback that's tailored to you. But imagine if technology could actually, like, analyze how you speak.

(5:38 - 5:47)
Well, like, really listen to us. Exactly. And then it could, like, pinpoint the areas where you need to improve and even suggest specific exercises to help you practice.

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That would be incredible. It's like taking all the guesswork out of it. Exactly.

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So that's where all these AI-powered tools are starting to come in. Okay. So there are tools out there that could do this.

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Oh, yeah. There are. Platforms that use SpeechRater technology, they're really making a big difference in the language learning world.

(6:05 - 6:08)
SpeechRater. Okay. I've heard that name before, but I'm not totally sure what it does.

(6:08 - 6:22)
So basically, SpeechRater can give you really detailed feedback on your pronunciation, your fluency, your vocabulary. It's almost like having a virtual speaking coach who's available, like, 24-7. Whoa.

(6:22 - 6:26)
That is so cool. It's like having a personal tutor right there in your pocket. Exactly.

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It's pretty amazing when you think about it. And honestly, this is just the beginning. I think AI has the potential to completely change how we think about education and test prep.

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I totally agree. And the best part is that it makes these really advanced resources available to anyone anywhere in the world. It doesn't matter where you live or, you know, how much money you have.

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Yeah. That's what excites me most about all this. It's just imagine a world where everyone has access to learning experiences that are specifically designed for them that fit their needs and goals.

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It's about removing those barriers and helping people reach their full potential. I love that. Breaking down those walls and giving everyone a chance to learn and grow.

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Exactly. And there's so much more to talk about on this topic. There's always more to learn.

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So stay tuned. You know, it's really fascinating when you think about how AI can make education more personalized. And not just for language learning either.

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Like we've been talking about AI analyzing our speaking and giving feedback. But what if it could actually create entire lesson plans just for you? Oh, yeah. That would be amazing.

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Like, you know, we've been focusing on personalized learning for TOEFL speaking. But this could totally revolutionize education in general. For sure.

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Imagine AI could figure out like what you're good at and what you need to work on across different subjects. Exactly. And then it could like build you this custom learning plan, focusing on the stuff where you need the most help.

(7:51 - 7:56)
Think about it. A student who's great at math but struggles with history. Yeah.

(7:57 - 8:12)
AI could give them extra help with history while still challenging them in math. So everyone is learning at their own pace, even within the same class. No more getting lost or feeling overwhelmed just because, you know, everyone's supposed to learn the same way at the same speed.

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And speaking of pace, AI could even help us learn faster and more efficiently. Oh, wow. How? What if there was a system that could tell when you're struggling? Oh, yeah.

(8:22 - 8:36)
And then it automatically adjusts, you know, makes things a little easier, gives you more explanations or even recommends different stuff to study. That's like next level tutoring. It's like having a personal guide who's always there to like nudge you in the right direction.

(8:36 - 8:41)
Exactly. AI could provide that one-on-one guidance that I think we all kind of crave. Right.

(8:41 - 8:46)
Totally. Whether we're trying to, you know, ace the TOEFL or just learn something new in school. Yeah.

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It's all about that personalized touch. OK. But this also makes me think about access to education.

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Right. Because not everyone has access to the same resources. That's one of the biggest issues in education.

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Yeah. And AI could help change that, right? Absolutely. This is one of the most exciting possibilities with AI.

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It can make quality education available to anyone, no matter where they live or their, you know, economic situation. Oh, I see what you mean. So like students in rural areas or those who can't afford private tutoring, AI could step in and provide that support.

(9:19 - 9:25)
Exactly. It could open up so many doors that were closed before. It'd be like everyone having a chance to learn and succeed.

(9:26 - 9:33)
OK. So we've talked about how AI can help us learn in general. But what about getting ready for a specific test like the TOEFL? OK.

(9:33 - 9:45)
Let's shift gears a bit and focus on test prep. Yeah. How can AI help us actually prepare for the TOEFL? Well, there are these AI-powered test prep platforms that are already doing some pretty incredible things.

(9:45 - 9:57)
Really? They can analyze tons of past exams, you know, look for patterns and then actually predict the kinds of questions you might see on the TOEFL. Oh, wow. So it's not about, like, teaching to the test.

(9:57 - 10:07)
No, not at all. It's more about helping you understand how the test works, what kinds of things it covers, so you can be more strategic and feel more confident when you take it. And that makes sense.

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So it's like having a sneak peek behind the curtain. Exactly. And it goes way beyond just analysis.

(10:14 - 10:26)
These platforms can keep track of how you're doing, figure out where your weak spots are, and then create practice sessions just for you, targeting the specific skills you need to work on for the TOEFL speaking section. So no more generic study plans. Right.

(10:26 - 10:35)
It's all tailored to you, your needs, your goals. It's like having, like, a personal trainer for your brain getting you in tip-top shape for test day. Exactly.

(10:35 - 10:47)
And another thing we can't forget about feedback. Yeah, feedback is so important. How can AI help with that? Well, AI can listen to your practice responses and give you really detailed analysis right away.

(10:47 - 10:59)
You can see exactly where you need to improve, whether it's your pronunciation, your fluency, or even your vocabulary. That's way better than, like, waiting for a teacher to grade your work or trying to figure it out yourself. Much faster and more efficient.

(10:59 - 11:04)
Totally. It's like that instant feedback loop. You know, you need that to really learn and improve.

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But, okay, even though AI in education is super exciting, we've got to be realistic, right? Of course. It's not like a magic wand that will solve every problem. Yeah.

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What are some of the challenges with using AI in education? Well, one big one is making sure that these AI systems are fair to everyone. Fairness, yeah. We need to be really careful that they're designed in a way that doesn't accidentally disadvantage certain groups of students.

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Oh, that's a super important point. We don't want to just keep repeating the same old inequalities in education, right? AI should help make things more equal, not less. You got it.

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And it's also important to remember that AI is just a tool. A very powerful tool, but still a tool. Exactly.

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It's not meant to completely replace teachers and mentors. You still need that human connection. I agree.

(11:53 - 12:09)
We need to find that balance, you know? Use the power of AI, but not forget the importance of teachers and human interaction and learning. Absolutely. Now, before we move on, I want to circle back to something we talked about earlier, that research from the Journal of English Language Teaching and Applied Linguistics.

(12:09 - 12:11)
Oh, yeah. The study with the university students. Right.

(12:11 - 12:35)
So, they were focused on university students, but the ideas in the study, they can apply to, like, anyone, right? Yeah, exactly. I mean, it doesn't matter if you're just starting out with English or you're already pretty advanced or what your goals are, whether it's, you know, getting a great score on the TOEFL or just feeling more confident when you speak. It's all about figuring out how you learn best and finding resources that actually work for you.

(12:35 - 12:47)
Personalized learning, it's the key. And the other thing that stood out to me in that study was the focus on CLAL making learning meaningful and fun by using interesting content. Yeah, that was a really cool concept.

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It's not just for TOEFL prep either, you know? If you want to improve your English in any way, finding stuff that you're actually passionate about, that makes a huge difference. It's like turning language learning into something you enjoy, not just a chore you have to do. Exactly.

(12:59 - 13:10)
And with these AI-powered tools, we can make that personalized and engaging learning experience even better. Okay, but now I'm curious. What do you think? Yeah, we want to hear from you, our listeners.

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How do you think AI could help you specifically with your TOEFL speaking prep? What are you most excited about when it comes to the future of education and technology? We'd love to hear your thoughts. Yeah. And we'll be right back after a quick break to dive even deeper into this awesome topic.

(13:27 - 13:38)
And we're back. We've been talking about some pretty awesome stuff, right? Learning styles, AI, the future of education, all focused on how to rock that TOEFL speaking section. It's been a wild ride.

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Personalized learning paths, AI tutors, even making quality education accessible to, like, everyone around the world. And don't forget those AI-powered test prep platforms. Analyzing past exams, pinpointing weak areas, personalized feedback on your speaking.

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It's pretty amazing. Technology is giving learners so much power to take control of their education and reach their goals. Especially in language learning, which can be, you know, kind of tricky.

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Speaking of goals, fluency. I think it's time to tackle that, right? Yeah. Everyone wants to be fluent, but what does it really mean? Especially for the TOEFL speaking test.

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Yeah, that's the big question, isn't it? It's got to be more than just, like, memorizing words or getting all the grammar perfect. Exactly. It's not just about being grammatically perfect.

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True fluency, especially on the TOEFL, is about being able to communicate your ideas effectively. You know, clearly, confidently, and in a way that keeps people engaged. So it's not just about being accurate.

(14:37 - 14:42)
It's about expressing yourself naturally and making people believe what you're saying. Even if you make a few little mistakes here and there. You got it.

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The TOEFL speaking test wants to see if you can communicate in, like, real life academic situations. Oh, I see. Think about it.

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It's about participating in class discussions, giving presentations, explaining complex topics. It's about showing that you can think critically and get your ideas across in a way that makes sense. Okay, that makes sense.

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But that can be kind of scary, right? Especially if you're still, you know, working on your speaking skills. So how can we build up that confidence and fluency that we need to do well on the TOEFL? Well, I think it starts with having a growth mindset. A growth mindset.

(15:16 - 15:26)
You have to believe that you can improve, that you can get better, and be willing to put in the work. Don't be afraid to mess up, to make mistakes. See those mistakes as chances to learn.

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And celebrate even the small wins along the way. I love that. Turn those stumbles into stepping stones, right? Exactly.

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And as we've been talking about, AI can be a huge help here. Those platforms that use SpeechRater, they can give you super specific feedback on your pronunciation, fluency, and vocab. So you can see where you need to work on and how much you're improving over time.

(15:46 - 15:56)
It's like having a coach who's totally focused on you. They can analyze how you speak, see where you might be struggling, and give you advice that's, like, made just for you. Exactly.

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And the more you practice, the more comfortable and confident you'll become. Practice, practice, practice. That's the key, right? But don't just practice with AI, right? Oh, definitely not.

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You've got to get out there and talk to real people. Yeah, find opportunities to practice in real-life situations. Join a language exchange group.

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Find a conversation partner online. Even just talk to yourself in English. Whatever works for you.

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The important thing is to immerse yourself in the language. The more you use it, the better you'll get. Remember, learning a language is a journey.

(16:26 - 16:34)
There's no finish line. It's about embracing those challenges, celebrating the wins, and always looking for ways to grow and improve. Beautifully said.

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So, as we wrap up this deep dive into fluency, learning styles, and the incredible potential of AI in education, I want to leave you with this. The tools and resources are out there. You just have to find what works best for you, keep pushing yourself, and never give up on your goals.

(16:52 - 17:10)
The future of language learning is exciting, and with the right attitude and a little help from technology, fluency is totally within your reach. That's it for this episode of the Deep Dive. We hope you've enjoyed exploring fluency with us and seeing how personalized learning powered by AI can help you unlock your full potential as a speaker.

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And, of course, ace that TOEFL speaking test. Until next time, keep diving deep and keep learning.