iBT Speaking and Writing

TOEFL Speaking question 2 - new sample question and response with script on TOEFL iBTv!

Hi there,

I have a new sample question up on TOEFL iBTv, demonstrating question 2 from the speaking section:

 

TOEFL Question 2 Sample Response A

 

Hope it helps!

 

- Jason

TOEFL Speaking Question 1 - More sample topics and answers!

 

Hi there,

Just to let you know, three more sample responses have been uploaded to TOEFL iBTv, answering question type 1 (independent “open choice”) featured in tests 3, 4, and 5 from TOEFL Speaking Mentor.

The samples for test 3 and 5 actually feature the new topic style recently introduced by ETS for question 1 – asking you to focus on a negative impression of something (rather than a positive).

 

TOEFL Speaking - Question 1, example answer for Qu. 1 on Test 5

 

Enjoy!

 

~ Jason

TOEFL Speaking Question 1 - Sample answer with tips and strategies to improve your response

I have just posted a new TOEFL iBTv tutorial for the speaking section of the test. This one gives an example response for Question 1 on Test 2 (in the TOEFL Speaking Mentor system), breaking the answer into sections and showing you some simple tips and strategies to improve your spoken response.

   

TOEFL iBTv Tutorial 22: Question 1 - Example response

Hope it gives you some good pointers!

 

~ Jason
 

New TOEFL speaking tutorial now online: how to improve your speaking ability for all question types by yourself!

 

Sorry I haven't posted notifications of new tutorials for TOEFL iBTv here for a while... There are actually three new tutorials there for the speaking section of TOEFL in particular, and the latest one focuses on a simple 5-step process for you to improve your speaking performance fully on your own (no matter which particular question type it is).

   

Check out the new tutorial here:

 

TOEFL Speaking - Improving your speaking ability independently!

 

All the best to you all,

~ Jason

:-)

New TOEFL speaking practice tests and more...

Well, it's been a busy couple of weeks, first with a record number of new subscribers in January (I thought it was going to be a little quieter and I might even get a chance to take a quick break - not to be!).

Second, I've finally finished formatting two new complete speaking tests for the TOEFL Speaking Mentor service. That brings the total number of tests available to FIVE, or more than 30 TOEFL speaking tasks for students to try each week (plus another 80 mega-list topics for the independent question types).

Of course, increasing the volume of tests and questions by such a volume meant I had to increase the subscription price, but - aware that many students are on a tight budget - I created a new type of subscription for people who just want access to all the practice tests, tutorials and bonus topics. It means you need to be willing to practice on your own without direct scoring from me, but the good news is that you can get more speaking material and tips than I've seen on any other site or in any published TOEFL guidebook for only $15 per month.

I've also been busy updating TOEFL iBTv with more quick tutorials as well, and doing some extra tips and things over on my TOEFL page on Facebook.

BUSY BUSY BUSY! But BUSY means HAPPY of course...!

   

All the best,

~ Jason

TOEFL Speaking - some common mistakes when providing content in answers

Just finished putting together this video covering some of the most common mistakes I encounter in TOEFL test-taker's speaking when they are trying to focus on the right content to include in their answers. Hope it helps and gives you some ideas!

 

 

 

:-)

   

The difference a good TOEFL score can make...

One of the genuinely thrilling aspects of the work I do with TOEFL speaking and writing online has to do with the real difference a good TOEFL speaking and/or writing score can make for people's lives.

I see this most commonly with the people I help achieve the (very challenging) scores they need to attain entry into good university programs abroad, but also with professional licenses to practice things like pharmacy and physiotherapy in English-speaking countries (especially the US). A TOEFL speaking score of 26 can mean the barriers to getting an internship and green card are finally overcome. Qualifications of this kind are absolutely life-changing for the students involved, and knowing I played even a small part in that is thrilling and humbling at the same time. There are some examples of what a profound difference this can make here.

However, now and then I get news from students and teachers that makes what I do feel even more special. I got an early Christmas present today in the form of an email from a teacher in Brazil who has been using my TOEFL Speaking Mentor program to help her students there:

  

Thanks Jason,
Actually, I'm an ESL teacher here in Brazil, and have used your site to help prepare a couple students for their TOEFL tests.  I'm proud to share that they earned a 97 and a 100 on their tests- 26 and 23 on the speaking sections, respectively.  Just so you know how much deeper your website goes than just helping earn a certain score-  the first student, Gustavo, is a surgeon here, who is now able to go to Canada to study in a fellowship there and then return to the Northeast of Brazil as the only lung transplant surgeon in the whole region....  until he does this, many lung patients who cannot travel have no other choice but to succumb to their illnesses.  It should be an honor to play a role in such an important development in this country!
I really appreciate the services your website offers, and will definitely be a returning customer in the future.  Merry Christmas to you too!
Rebecca Engle

  

 

Wow! I've just helped a Brazilian surgeon get the score he needs to study in Canada, so that he can then return and become Northeast Brazil's only lung transplant surgeon! The thought that helping a student like this can actually save lives and make a real difference in the world is - well, it makes me realize what an honor teaching can be as a profession!

My heartfelt congratulations to Gustavo and his dedicated teacher Rebecca, and thank you for giving me such an awesome early Christmas present!

  

:-)

~ Jason

TOEFL Speaking success!

How do you pass the TOEFL and get the speaking and writing scores you need? The answer is clear...

More good news has arrived about people using my TOEFL Mentor services and getting the scores they require for professional licensing purposes!

Congratulations to:

SHERYL (TOEFL Speaking score 27 and successful visa screening as Physical Therapist!)

JULIANA (TOEFL Speaking score 26 plus overall score of 113 - successful license qualification!)

VENUS (TOEFL Speaking score 26 and Writing score 25 - successful license qualification!)

SARRA (TOEFL Speaking score 26, after trying the test many times and working really hard!)

  

My very best wishes to these TOEFL Mentor members and all the best for a bright and successful future!

:-) :-) :-)

~ Jason

TOEFL Speaking Question 6: Managing information and time!

Having problems with Question 6 (the scary lecture task) in the TOEFL Speaking section?

   

  

Well, my latest TOEFL iBTv tutorial might be able to provide you with some simple but helpful tips, especially when it comes to managing the information you need to talk about, but also managing the time limit!

You can access the tutorial here:

TOEFL Speaking Question 6 - Managing Information and Time

  

Hope it helps you out!

~ Jason

:D

TOEFL Vocabulary - Which words do you really need to know?

 

   

To do well in all parts of the TOEFL, you simply MUST have a good academic vocabulary! But which words do you need to know???

  

The link below will take you to the 300 most common words in academic/scientific/professional English - the ones most likely to appear in reading and listening passages on the TOEFL, and the ones you will probably need to be able to pronounce and use accurately for speaking questions 4 and 6, as well as writing task 1.

To help with your speaking, in the list I've highlighted stressed syllables in each of the words.

   

Top 300 Words from the Academic Word List for TOEFL preparation

 

Study the words, make sure you can understand them, make sure you can pronounce them properly, and make sure you can say and write them in accurate sentences!

   

   

~ Jason

:D

Some tips about using pace, rhythm and stress when you speak online in response to TOEFL speaking questions!

  

While it's not strictly TOEFL, my recent video tutorial for TOEIC speaking will give you some good ideas about pace, rhythm and stress when you record answers to test questions online...

 

 

 

~ Jason

:D

Some questions and answers about TOEFL speaking...

A while ago I did a live Q&A session in a chat room with TOEFL test-takers, where I did my best to answer people's questions about the speaking section in particular. The transcript of that 90 minute session went missing from my own forum for some reason, and then I found it pirated word for word on some other online TOEFL company's website! I re-found the original transcript, and thought it might be helpful here in this forum, where most serious TOEFLers seem to gravitate.

You can find the complete transcript below... Enjoy!


********************************************************

Jasonrenshaw: Good evening everybody! Our topic for tonight’s discussion is iBT Speaking, and the discussion will be open for the next 90 minutes or so. First of all, I recommend clicking on the “Full Size” option below the GED Chat box. It will be much easier to follow the chat with it on a full screen. Next, just as with a real discussion, we need some basic ground rules to ensure the discussion can proceed coherently, and not end up with 20 people all talking over each other. To that end, I would request that you wait until I call on you by name before asking your question. You will have a chance to add up to 2 follow up questions after the main question, and then the turn will pass to somebody else. Also, I can’t call on you for a question if I don’t have your username. Hence, if you’re here in this discussion as “Anon”, don’t expect to be invited to ask a question. Please set an actual name for yourself if you want to participate (though of course you’re free to just watch anonymously if that is what you prefer).

Jasonrenshaw: Chock - go ahead with your question.

Chockulit: I mean if I somewhat got mental blocked on the process while I am speaking, what would be the best thing to do? And if I finished more than the time alloted for me, will that be a deduction on my part?

Jasonrenshaw: Two questions in one! Well, for the first one, with a mental block, the most important thing to do is not panic. It's better to have even a 5-10 second pause to gather your thoughts than to just start babbling aimlessly.

As for the time, you can't go over the time, because the recorder simply stops working at the time limit.

Chockulit: I see. Thanks Jason!

Jasonrenshaw: Obaid, you there? Got a burning question for me?

Obaidmaroof: i got 20 in speaking, and i want to increase it. does the grammer matters while speaking or only the flow of the english makes the difference?

Jasonrenshaw: Grammar does make a difference of course. The three evaluation criteria are DELIVERY, LANGUAGE USE, TOPIC DEVELOPMENT. Small grammar mistakes won't kill your score, but if the grammar is poor in the sense it makes you hard to understand, it will definitely lower your score.

Jasonrenshaw: Great, Yellowflower, you're up!

Yellowflower: Ok. Obviously, we should avoid going over 45 seconds in our answer. If I have a hard time coming up with a (complete) answer, is it bad to end at, say 35 seconds?

Jasonrenshaw: 10 seconds under the speaking limit will probably hurt your score on that question - not because you finished early but because you probably didn't develop your topic fully enough. It's hard to completely cover the questions even with the full time allowance. Five seconds short is okay - anything more and you were probably lacking something.

Follow up question for me?

Yellowflower: But it's better to end 10 seconds early than to end 5 seconds late, right?

Jasonrenshaw: Well, as I said above, technically you can't finish over the time limit, because the recorder simply stops. Personally, I think it would be better to be cut off towards the end of your answer than to finish 10 seconds early. The assessors know the time is tough, and will probably be less harsh on someone who managed to continue speaking all the way through.

Yellowflower: Good point!

Jasonrenshaw: Nasir, you ready with a question?

mhdnasir: Hello Jason, I want to improve my speaking section score. I gave TOEFL just a month ago and I got 24, now I want to score around 29-30. Can you advise me that what specific things I should practice on to acheive that score? Mistakes that I remember were humming and the deviation from the typical answers format taught by the Samples.

Jasonrenshaw: Sort of sounds like you already know what was lacking in your responses. However, I can try to tell you what usually separates scores of 22-24 from 26-28. It is usually one of topic development or delivery. Topic development is the biggest problem I see in all the practice responses. ETS is very specific about what it expects to see in most of the answer formats. If you're lacking in that, you won't go over the magic 26 mark. Those who do have the topic development perfected and still don't score over 26 usually have some definite pronunciation issues.

Which do you think applies to you, Nasir?

mhdnasir: First I think that I didn't follow the format and second of course the topic development.

Jasonrenshaw: Right - so that's where you'll need to focus.

mhdnasir: the format thing can be cured I think but how should I improve the topic developement?

Jasonrenshaw: Run through the points I make in the iBT speaking tips and tricks online. Are you doing all of those things? I mean, really doing them, perfectly?

mhdnasir: Infact I really didn't prepare well for my first attempt because I have to met the university deadlines. And I gave TOEFL during my semester exams.

Jasonrenshaw: Right, well, let's see how you do after you practice using my tips! Have you accessed those mini lectures on my other site?

Okay, Amj - go ahead with your question.

Amj: I have the same problem as Nasir i can't over go the 24, but I need 26. Could you give us more detailed examples that could get us tha magic score?

Jasonrenshaw: There are tons of example answers around the Internet and in preparation textbooks. Soon I will be looking to add more examples of myself doing some tasks to try and show you stronger examples that will get you beyond the 24-26 mark.

Amj: the problem is that even if at home i'll do good at the exam w the stress i forget to stay focust on the practice tips.

Jasonrenshaw: That's a very good point. Practicing at home is not stressful, and taking the actual test is VERY stressful. So, simply put, you need to create a practice environment or procedure that IS stressful, to replicate the feeling when taking the test. For example, speaking in groups face to face, or setting a goal to record 20 answers (even general) in say 20 minutes on something like Chinswing (Voxopop).

Chock - you ready?

Chockulit: Okay. If ever, but I hope not, I will fail the speaking section of TOEFL-IBT, do I need to take the whole exam again, such as the writing, reading, listening parts?

Jasonrenshaw: Yes, unfortunately, you do. If a speaking score is what you need, that is.

Chockulit: I am not worried about the other parts. It's only the speaking part that I am really worried about.

Jasonrenshaw: One of the ridiculous parts of the TOEFL is the requirement to take the whole thing over again if you don't get the score you require in one particular part. It is hurting a lot of test takers, especially people who need a speaking score of 26 for pharmacy or something.

Chockulit: I am doing those sample exercises you had in Chinswing and as you said, if we are in the actual TOEFL examination, the pressure will be different.

I usually stop in the middle if I am lost for words. Jason, if the examinee usually says, "uhhmmmm," would that affect the score too?

Jasonrenshaw: It depends. You know, I did my own speaking responses for test items with 0 preparation time, and I was saying "ah" and "um" quite regularly.

Chockulit: Yeah, I've noticed that as well.

Jasonrenshaw: It's a natural part of spoken discourse, and I don't think you get penalized for it - so long as it doesn't happen after every second word, or the ums are very long and very hesitant sounding. We are not giving dinner speeches in the British Embassy here - it is natural speaking without any preparation or scripting.

Chockulit: Hahaha...nice one Jason!

Some are also saying that we should use the words, "moreover, however, in addition, etc." But I don't use those words too often.

Jasonrenshaw: Sure, those linking words can be useful. Moreover gets overused, tho, and sounds a bit strange to me when it is used too much.

Chockulit: I see then. Thanks. You're site is really helpful. I hope you could also grade our recent responses in Chinswing (Voxopop).

Jasonrenshaw: Mmm, grading Chinswing (Voxopop) responses in the free test section areas. That brings up a very important point I want to make for all people wanting to practice their speaking online (for free, that is). People are way too reliant on me. I don't see anyone offering feedback or encouragement to other test takers. People are not helping themselves/each other. They are coming to my sites looking for charity basically. That worries me - really worries me.

Chockulit: I myself haven't given feedbacks yet. I have only used the website for my responses. How can we give feedbacks to other Chinswing (Voxopop) users?

Jasonrenshaw: Just refer to the number of the recording and state that it is feedback. Simple.

However, on another point - Chinswing (Voxopop) has literally hundreds of different topics and threads to communicate in. Have you recorded in any of them besides just my TOEFL topics?

Chockulit: No, I haven't.

Jasonrenshaw: Technically, there are opportunities to practice your communicative fluency for hundreds of topics in Chinswing (Voxopop). (I'm not just talking to you Chock - this is for everyone).

Chockulit: I think I should explore them too. I am most of the time a lurker, but you're right Jason, we should start giving feedbacks to each other!

Jasonrenshaw: Here's the biggest tip of the evening... The key is to improve your spoken fluency and familiarity with recording online under time limits with many different kinds of topics. This is much more important than getting grades/ratings from one teacher (like myself). If you speak about 10 different topics every day for a couple of weeks leading up to your test, you will improve your score immensely.

Yellowflower - ready with a new question?

Yellowflower: how many points should we put in our delivery?

Jasonrenshaw: Good question. Delivery is all about pronunciation, intonation and fluency. Technically it is of equal value to the criteria of topic development and language use. However, I think it comes after topic development as the second most important issue. This, in particular (delivery) is what hurts many people, particularly people who already think their delivery is fine.

Yellowflower: Also, When we answer a question, how many supporting points should be given?

Jasonrenshaw: That depends on the particular question. Question 1 and 2 should ideally have 2 supporting reasons expressed. Question 3 requires 2 reasons for a speaker's feeling about a notice. Question 4 usually explores 3-4 issues that correlate across a reading passage and lecture. Question 5 would require 2 supporting reasons for your preferred course of action based on the conversation.

Yellowflower: Great info. Thanks!

Jasonrenshaw: Okay - back to you Pharn, Shoot!

pham179: ya, which type of question requires conclusion?

Jasonrenshaw: Technically, none of them do. It's hard enough to get main ideas out and support them in the time limits involved. HOWEVER, a quick conclusion is ideal if you finish up a little early. Let's say you have 5-10 seconds left on your time limit. Rather than just going blank/quiet, you could wind things up with "... and that's basically why ...." Make sense?

pham179: thats great. give me one strategy to improve on the 4 question

Jasonrenshaw: Question 4 is a bit of a killer. A lot of it comes down to good note-taking. Draw a line down the middle of the notepaper. On the left, script main ideas from the reading passage. On the right, take down your listening notes. Then, in the 30 seconds prep time, link up the ideas you can see from your reading and listening notes. With the key ideas and details from each source linked up like this on paper in front of you, it will be a lot easier to speak and a lot easier to cover all the important information.

Okay Sunit - you're up!

Sunithasiva: i gave toefl 4times. but not able to get score in speaking (24)

Jasonrenshaw: 24 each time you take the test... As I mentioned above, the difference between 23-24 and 26-28 is usually one of these two things: topic development or delivery.

Sunithasiva: iprepared for the topics given by you for one minute and practised in home

Jasonrenshaw: You either just aren't covering the topics properly, or you have a pronunciation/delivery issue that is holding you back. That's what I usually find, anyway.

Sunithasiva: so how to improve. can i record and send it to u?

Jasonrenshaw: That is your first problem. You think without a teacher you can't progress. Let me ask you - how many online recordings do you make, every day, about various topics?

Sunithasiva: 5-6 topics

Jasonrenshaw: AND, how many other people's recordings do you listen to - every day?

Sunithasiva: i hve not done that

Jasonrenshaw: EXACTLY. You are caught in your very own Twilight Zone. You ave no external input or models to learn from or compare your speaking to - just yourself. Progress won't happen that way. There are dozens of well scored speaking submissions in my forum and the Chinswing (Voxopop) links already. You should listen to all of them (the scores of 3 or higher). Take notes about each one, then compare to your own recording. You may be very surprised what you learn from that experience.

Sunithasiva: k. iwill listen. can usuggest me. ihve done already but no reply.

Jasonrenshaw: Sunit - work to help yourself, and then eventually it will help to make your speaking work.

Sunithasiva: k thanks

Jasonrenshaw: Right, Song

Songthanh: how can I take notes while I'm listening??? Sometime I forgot what I heard or write.

Jasonrenshaw: Yes - did you see what I wrote above as notetaking tips for question 4?

Songthanh: sr im late so i didnt see that. could u please tell me again

Jasonrenshaw: Scroll up or look back through the transcript. However, it sounds to me like you're not taking enough notes, or not writing down the most useful information. Or just panicking! It's easy to do under that test pressure. So, how often per day or week do you listen to lectures in English and do note-taking?

Songthanh: 3 times/week

Jasonrenshaw: If it's a weakness, you should be listening to 1-3 hours of listening material every day and doing note-taking every time. Eventually, you will find your own strategies for getting down the most important information - and more importantly, you will develop more confidence. 3 times a week is good, but will not result in dramatic improvements. Daily is better.

Songthanh: thanks for your advice

Jasonrenshaw: Let me know how you get on. You could start with all the Reuters news articles I have in my World News section in the forum. There is enough to keep you busy listening for many hours in there!

Okay Angels - you there? Waiting patiently? This will be our last question for the session, unfortunately. I've been typing like a maniac for the past 90 minutes!

Angels67: It's okey. I will be taking my 3rd iBtT on Dec. 21.. for both I got 23.. I need 26. I felt that I was not focused because I got panicked in specially in the 2nd.

Jasonrenshaw: Right. Same as above for other students with the same issue. It is either topic development or delivery that is pinning back your score. It's easy to panic in this test. Have you been practicing under stressful/pushy circumstances? Like really pushing yourself to perform?

Angels67: Right now, I want to focus in your tips and wish to stay calm during the exam. I got distracted when my husband is around I can't record well. Actually I am not confident when he's around so I can't speak well.. However, I was able to try harder today.

Jasonrenshaw: That's GREAT! Your husband is helping you more than you can guess. Once you can record answers well even with your husband walking around, looking for his socks, or asking when his dinner will be ready, or asking why he is so silly, you are likely to be able to do well on the actual test as well.

Angels67: I will continue browsing the topic you posted and will follow your tips. . Thank you very much for your advices. Tomorrow, I might stay in the mall's foodcourt and will try my speaking there.

Jasonrenshaw: EXCELLENT idea!! You will feel silly, but practicing in public is excellent for your actual test prep. What is more important - getting that 26 score or looking slightly insane in the middle of a food court?

Angels67: Yes!!! You're right. I saw it in posted here. Thank you again and I pray and wish that this would be my last iBT. Getting 26!!! I need it badly..

Jasonrenshaw: Well, that's all I have time for this evening, everyone. Thanks for your questions and patience. You've been very polite. Let's do this again someday.

Stay active in the forum, help each other as much as you can, and let's all catch up again soon. Good night to all of you, and very best wishes!


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TOEFL Speaking: Using emphasis in your spoken response

The latest TOEFL iBTv tutorial is up on the site, this one with more focus on using EMPHASIS in your spoken response to make you easier to understand and to also ensure the test assessor catches on to the fact that you are covering key information in your response to a particular question.

The examples of emphasis here are framed within an example response to a Question 5 style task from the TOEFL speaking section.

  

TOEFL Integrated Speaking Question 5 - Using Emphasis

Enjoy!

~ Jason

:D

Exciting news! Jason's TOEFL Mentor services join forces with Michael Buckhoff's renowned Better TOEFL Scores services

If you're preparing for the TOEFL, you've most probably already found Michael Buckhoff's great Better TOEFL Scores website and collection of materials. If you haven't, then it's about time you checked it out!

Well, we're two of the better-known resources known around the Internet when it comes to improving your TOEFL test performance, so it appeared logical to us to join forces and enhance each other's offerings to TOEFL test takers.

As a result, my TOEFL Speaking and Writing Mentor services have been added to Michael Buckhoff's great S.T.E.A.L.T.H 7-step coursework system for passing the TOEFL!

Check out Michael's announcement here, and I hope you'll go ahead and benefit from the great stuff both Michael and I offer to our TOEFL students.

 

~ Jason

:D

TOEFL Speaking Mentor - the very best quality (and best priced!) TOEFL Speaking Service you'll get anywhere!

Hundreds of students are joining, and reporting big improvements in their scores!

If you're preparing for TOEFL Speaking, and haven't joined this service - then you're already falling behind...

   

  

Make sure you sign up and give yourself the very best opportunity to get the TOEFL speaking score you need for your future!

 

Jason's TOEFL Speaking Mentor Service

 

~ Jason

:D

TOEFL Speaking Question 4 (the hardest one!) - Essential strategies to handle the task well!

Well, this (TOEFL speaking question 4) appears to be the question in the speaking section that causes the most grief to test-takers. Hopefully the video tutorial below will help make things a little clearer and more manageable!

 

 

For more helpful tutorials like this for TOEFL speaking and writing, make sure you visit my TOEFL iBTv page!

   

Good luck,

~ Jason

:D

 

TOEFL Speaking Score = 28 (Congratulations Charmaine!)

Well done, Charmaine! A TOEFL Speaking score of 28 and 102 overall for the test!

Another success for TOEFL Speaking Mentor!

 

All the best,

~ Jason

:D

Jason's TOEFL Mentor starts up on Facebook!

I noticed recently that my forum for TOEFL gets most of visits (by far actually - 70,000 referrals to date!) from Facebook.

That reminded me that I haven't really done much about a TOEFL presence on Facebook, so I went ahead and created a TOEFL Mentor page there. If you're on Facebook, why don't you become a "fan" and get instant updates on what I'm doing for TOEFL?

To get things rolling, I started a discussion thread there about:

TOEFL Speaking: which are the hardest questions for you to answer and why?

 

So pop on over there and let everyone on Facebook know your opinion!

  

 

 

TOEFL Speaking Score 28 - Well done Danae!

Yet another RISE TOEFL Speaking Mentor success story to make my day!

This email just came to me from another of my students - Danae from Greece:

 

Hi Jason!

I just got my TOEFL scores! I got 28 in the speaking section and a total of 115!!
Your tips and tricks were very helpful! I was really worried about the speaking section, but thanks to your advice I became more confident. Your comments on our recordings were very useful to me, because they gave me the opportunity to understand the flaws in our answers and identify my mistakes. Therefore, I could focus on these aspects and try to give more accurate answers.

I have recommended your website to all my friends, it is outstanding!

Thank you very much for the help! :)

 

   

Well, you're most welcome Danae! Congratulations on such a fine result - 28 for speaking and 115 overall is an outstanding effort.

 

Best wishes for a bright future,

 

~ Jason

http://www.English-iTutor.com

 

 

TOEFL Speaking Score 26: Another RISE success story!

Another TOEFL success story - congratulations to Rosemary!

  

I always get a real thrill when I hear about another student reaching their professional goal in English.

I just got this wonderful news from one of my first TOEFL Speaking Mentor subscribers:
   
  

 Hi Jason, this is Rosemary, one of the first set of people who subscribed to your Toefl mentor programme. My name in this forum is RANYANWU if you can remember. I took toefl on the 10th of October, and the result was just released today. I made 26 in Speaking. Since I met your website, I knew that I have found an answer to toefl. I had written toefl severally without hope or even knowing what the raters wanted. Thanks a lot Jason. My family and I are very grateful. This is a huge success to me in the ladder of my professional career as a pharmacists here in the U.S. After knowing your website, I incorporated your template in my practice and also used it in the exam. I made good in familiar topic/ fair in campus situation /good in academic based content. I am particularly happy making good in Quest 4& 6 which are the ones I used to be nervous about. It really showed that your templete for integrating in Q4 really works. Thanks a thousand time. I am sure that intending toeflers should not hesitate to consult your site for toefl preparation. Bye.

 

   
Wonderful stuff, and my sincerest congratulations to Rosemary!

All the best,

~ Jason Renshaw
http://www.english-itutor.com
 

TOEFL iBT Speaking Question 3 - Some useful expressions to use when answering!

Just uploaded a new tutorial to TOEFL iBTv giving you some ideas about good expressions to use when answering Question 3 in the TOEFL speaking section.

Check it out!

Speaking Question 3: Some useful expressions to use

Best wishes to you all,

~ Jason

Can't get past a score of 22-24 in the TOEFL speaking section? This is perhaps why...

I just posted about this issue over on Erin's Test Magic Forum in the TOEFL Speaking section there.

If you're stuck in the 22-24 bracket for TOEFL Speaking and can't work out why your score isn't improving (no matter how much you practice or take the actual test), then you might like to read that post!

 

All the best,

 

~ Jason

:D

New TOEFL iBT Speaking Independent Question sample topics and answers

I've just added four new sample topics and model answers to my free TOEFL Speaking Topics page. Find out about:

• a good place in my town to have fun;
• my favorite subject at school;
• why I prefer going on a long trip by train instead of car;
• why I prefer a job I really enjoy even if it has a moderate salary!

  

The topic mega lists available exclusively to TOEFL Speaking Mentor subscribers feature these plus another four example topics and model answers, describing:

• who I feel close to in my family;
• an experience in my life that made me feel embarrassed;
• why I prefer to combine study and part-time work;
• why I prefer to stick to tasks I know I can do well!

 

There are of course many MANY more topics and example answers available to TOEFL Speaking Mentor subscribers, but these are just some of the latest updates!

   

Good luck to you all in your TOEFL speaking preparation!

~ Jason

:-D

   

 

TOEFL iBT Speaking section score of 29!

It's always wonderful to hear another TOEFL speaking success story!

One of my TOEFL Speaking Mentor subscribers - Luca - just got the fabulous score of 29 out of the 30 in the speaking section.

   

Wonderful effort: CONGRATULATIONS LUCA!

:D  :D  :D

   

 

 

TOEFL iBT Integrated Speaking Tasks (Questions 3 and 4): Taking notes from the reading passage in just 45 seconds!

The latest speaking-related tutorial has just been uploaded to Jason's TOEFL iBTv:

 

Integrated Speaking Tasks 3 & 4: Taking notes from the reading passage

  

I get a lot of questions about this one - how to take quick notes in just 45 seconds of reading time, so it's a good one to watch and think about!

  

Best,

~ Jason

:D

  

TOEFL iBT Speaking Question 2: Indicating your personal preference quickly and clearly

It's really important in Question 2 in the iBT TOEFL Speaking Section that you are able to indicate your personal preference quickly, clearly, but also a little elegantly - with good language use and emphasis/intonation.

Find out how it can be done with my latest addition to Jason's TOEFL iBTv:

Speaking Question 2: Indicating your personal preference quickly and clearly

All the best,

~ Jason

   

:D

TOEFL iBT Speaking Question 1 & Question 2: New sample questions and example answers

Hi there!

Just a quick update to let blog visitors know that 4 new questions for the TOEFL iBT Independent speaking topics have been added to my site, along with my recorded example answers.

Access them here:

http://www.english-itutor.com/TOEFL_Speaking_Topics.html

   

All the best,

~ Jason

 

:-D

 

Speaking Question 1 - Beginning your response and using emphasis and intonation

This is the latest TOEFL iBTv tutorial, and you can access it at the link below:

Jason's TOEFL iBTv

 

Hope it helps somebody out there!

:-D

 

Jason's TOEFL iBTv - free weekly broadcast with fresh tips for TOEFL speaking and writing!

This is just a quick announcement to let you know that I've launched Jason's TOEFL iBTv - a sort of broadcast with new tips for TOEFL speaking and writing, updated every week:
 
http://www.english-itutor.com/TOEFL_iBTv.html
 
This is good practical advice for TOEFL speaking and writing, and it is 100% free to access every week, so get along and check it out when you can (who knows? there could be a tip there that makes a difference and lifts your score over your target for your next TOEFL iBT attempt!)
 
All the best,
 
~ Jason
 
http://www.English-iTutor.com

TOEFL Writing Mentor (New!) and Updated TOEFL Speaking Mentor!

Well, it took a while, but finally I've completed and released the brand new TOEFL Writing Mentor service.

You can take a sneak-peek at the service by watching the screencast below:

  

 

 

With 5 complete writing tests (10 writing questions - 5 integrated and 5 independent), 25 professional tutorials, and the chance to submit your writing and get scores from me, it has to be one of the premier TOEFL writing services you'll find anywhere on the Net!

 

I've also been making some great updates to the existing TOEFL Speaking Mentor service as well!

The available complete speaking tests have been increased from 1 to 3 (meaning 18 practice speaking tasks rather than 6), and I am now checking and scoring all responses to speaking tasks on Tuesday of each week.

I am also in the process of adding more example answers, broken down into sections so test takers can see how much time and what sort of content I dedicate to each 'part' of one response.

So TOEFL Speaking and Writing continue to develop and improve on my site. If you're getting ready for the test and aren't a member yet - you're falling behind!

 

:-D

  

   

 

New TOEFL iBT speaking tips service (TOEFL Speaking Mentor)

I've made a new version of TOEFL Speaking Mentor, which you can preview on the screencast below:

  

 

 

I'm amazed and delighted to see how many people have been posting that these special TOEFL speaking tips have helped them to get scores of 26-29 out of 30 in the speaking section.

Obviously, the tips work!

:-)

  

A good example of how to answer TOEFL speaking tasks

If you're looking for a good example of how answers to the various TOEFL speaking tasks ought to be organized and expressed, I recommend looking at Sharh's responses in my TOEFL Speaking Mentor program:

http://www.voxopop.com/group/f0f88408-dcac-43cc-b543-84aeec92572a

Although Sharh rehearsed her answers and did some additional preparation (hence, getting an advantage over the usual "super pressure" time limits), her tactical and organizational approaches to expressing the correct content in appropriate ways serves as an excellent model.

Technically, if someone were to answer the actual test the way Sharh has, they would be looking at a TOEFL speaking score of 28.

 

Well done, Sharh - an excellent model framework!

 

~ Jason

New TOEFL Speaking Mentor interface!

Well, I'm back on home soil now, and happily getting back into my online learning materials!

I've just finished updating the TOEFL Speaking Mentor service so that subscribers get a great new interface with the test materials, my video tips for the different question types, and a personal Voxopop recording thread all in the one page.

 

 

So that means everything in one place without having to open multiple browsers and click around all the time!

 

Other than that, I've finished creating a new IELTS Speaking talkgroup, and a TOEFL Writing Mentor service is in development and will be launched soon (sometime late April, I'm guessing).

 

TOEFL Speaking Tutorial 1.3 - Question 1 Providing a Contextual Description

Time now for the third tutorial in my new series of TOEFL speaking study aids - this is Tutorial 1.3, explaining how to provide a contextual description to add to the general topic you have identified for your response.

 

 

Hope these tutorials are helping!

~ Jason

 

Some more interesting criticism of the iBT TOEFL...

I posted an analysis of the speaking section of the TOEFLa while back, including my concerns and criticims about the format and direction of the tasks.

Of course, I'm not alone in finding things wrong with the TOEFL iBT, and I recently read some interesting comments on Alex Case's TEFLtastic blog. It was particularly interesting to read the quotes from an expert from the Humanizing English Teaching movement who tried the test to see what it was like.

Worth a read!

 

~ Jason

 

TOEFL Speaking Tutorial 1.2 - Question 1 Stating you Main Idea Quickly and Clearly

Here's the second tutorial in my latest series - this one also concentrates on question 1 and follows up from the tutorial on note-taking preparation, this time with the focus on stating your main idea in response to the topic:

 

 

Good luck with your practice!

 

 

TOEFL Speaking and Writing tips/help that WILL help you get a higher score on the test! ~ Hey, here's proof...

Proof is in the pudding, as they say. Thanks to the following people for letting me know about their TOEFL results, and how the various tips and help materials I've placed on the Internet helped them achieve their goals!

 

Tania- 111 (R-28, L-28, S-28, W-27)

Jakub- 113 (R-30, L-30, S-26, W-27)

Simmi- 112 (R-29, L-29, S-26, W-28)

Hishoeb- 110 (R-26, L-28, S-27, W-29)

Iccotdis- 114 (R 29, L 29, S 27, W 29)

sm_55- 114 (30-R, 30-L, 26-S, 28-W)

Sonutulsiani- 106 (R-24, L-27, S-26, W-29)

Tofela- (Speaking 27)

Cou- 103 (27 R, 28 L,24 S and 24 W), needed 21 in each section of the test...

 

So there you have it... People who follow my advice and practice strategies get the scores they need!

 

 

TOEFL speaking tutorial 1.1 - Question 1 Preparation and Note-taking

 

Here is a tutorial to help you practice for speaking question 1. This focuses on what to do in your preparation and what you might like to do for note-taking.

 

 

Give it a try - hope it helps in your preparation!

~ Jason

More free TOEFL test materials (all sections of the test)

I recently came across a whole stash of free TOEFL test practice materials at this link.

I only really had time to check out some of the speaking tests. The positive is that the creator of this site has managed to very accurately replicate the actual TOEFL test browser format, including the automatic timer function (so it will be good for you in terms of getting a great feel for the actual test experience.

On the negative side, many of the actual recordings for the listening sections come out quite muted and difficult to hear without turning your volume settings up ultra high. Even then, it's distracting because the narration sections are clear and set at a higher volume - so one minute you'll be straining to hear the speakers in a dialogue, and then the narrator will come on and blast your eardrums out! Also, despite the great timing functions, you can't actually record your performance or listen to yourself afterwards.

Still, as I said, it can still be great practice, on account of the close resemblance to the actual TOEFL browser and automatic timing functions. There are also a lot of tests and practice items to go through, including all the other parts of the test (reading, listening and writing as well as speaking).

One note of caution: I don't know how long these materials can/will stay available up on the web. The site maker has not documented where the original materials came from - so there is a good chance they have been burned, copied and uploaded illegally using some other source. Maybe (hopefully) I'm wrong there, but generally speaking I would expect to see rights/copyright asserted if the site owner had made or organized the making of all these materials privately... 

 

 

TOEFL iBT Speaking Question 1 (Independent speaking task: preference/open choice) - Tips on how to answer

TOEFL iBT Speaking Question 2 (Independent speaking task: preference/closed-choice) - Tips on how to answer

TOEFL iBT Speaking Question 3 (Integrated speaking task: notice + conversation) - Tips on how to answer

Improve your TOEFL iBT Speaking Scores with TOEFL Speaking Mentor!

There are a lot of ways you can improve your chances of performing well in the TOEFL speaking section. It depends a lot on your personal learning style, self-discipline, and the time available to you before you take the actual test.

 

If you aren’t making a lot of progress, it could be time to consider getting a professional tutor to help you.

 

It isn’t cheap, but it is infinitely less expensive than paying the US$150 to take the TOEFL iBT time after time in the vague hope you’ll get that magical score. I’ve heard from students who took the TOEFL test more than 10 times looking for a specific score of 26 or more in the speaking section. 10 times! That’s US$1500! What was more staggering to me was hearing that some of these same students weren’t willing to pay for a professional tutor or pay for good quality test preparation materials… So, some people are willing to pay more than a thousand dollars to keep taking the test again and again, but not willing to pay less than one hundred dollars to get some professional tuition and some decent materials. Unbelievable! It just doesn’t make sense.

 

Considering even $100-$200 in top quality tuition could make all the difference in getting the score you need on your next test, you actually stand to SAVE a huge amount of money by not needing to keep take the test.

 

In any case, I have a speaking tuition program available that can really help you improve your performance – it’s called TOEFL Speaking Mentor and it’s available at this link:

 

http://www.english-itutor.com/TOEFL_Speaking_Mentor.html

 

 

The basic program is available for as little as US$12 per subscription. Doing the math, you could actually practice taking the speaking test 12 times with professional support and feedback for the price it costs you to take one official TOEFL test. Using the PLUS program (at US$27 per subscription), which gives much more detailed feedback and advice, you could still do this sort of practice 5-6 times at the same cost as the official test.

 

So it’s up to you – harder or smarter!

 

 

 

TOEFL iBT Speaking Question 4 (Integrated speaking task: passage + lecture) - Tips on how to answer

TOEFL iBT Speaking Question 5 (Integrated speaking task) - Tips on how to answer

Do TOEFL iBT test takers actually understand how the evaluation works for the speaking section?

I've been wondering about this for some time - do TOEFL test takers actually understand what they need to do in order to score well in the speaking section? I started a poll to find out:

http://global-english.lefora.com/2009/01/17/poll-do-you-understand-the-evaluation-criteria-for/page1/

Cast your own vote as a test taker, or just take a look at the results. Interesting...

~ Jason

TOEFL iBT Speaking Question 6 (Integrated speaking task) - Tips on how to answer

Put a complete TOEFL iBT speaking test directly into your webpage or blog!

Now you can embed a full iBT speaking test directly into your webpage or blog posting!

Go to this link to find out how:

http://www.english-itutor.com/TOEFL_iBT_speaking_tests.html

 

All the best,

~ Jason

New complete TOEFL speaking practice test! ~ all six question types fully accessible online!

I've just completed a brand new iBT TOEFL speaking test, fully browser-based, with all-new question items covering all 6 parts of the speaking test. (Please note: this is a new test and different to the full test referenced in this blog earlier)

You can access it at this link:

http://www.english-itutor.com/TOEFL_iBT_speaking_tests.html

 

So there's some more free practice for test-takers to take advantage of!

All the best,

~ Jason

Free TOEFL iBT Speaking Test - All six question types plus hundreds of real example answers from test-takers...

Now you can try a full TOEFL speaking practice test entirely for free, record your answers online, and compare them to the hundreds of example answers already submitted:

 

http://global-english.lefora.com/2008/12/17/ibt-toefl-speaking-practice-test-1-full-online-men/page1/