iBT Speaking and Writing

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

:-)

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!

 

 

 

:-)

   

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 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

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 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

 

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

 

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 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

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!

 

 

 

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/ 

 

 

TOEFL iBT Speaking Tips and Help (Reborn!)

I'm happy to say that finally (FINALLY!) I have found the time to re-record the TOEFL iBT Speaking Tips and Tricks that were featured previously on this blog and on the main OnlinEnglish site - the ones that disappeared into the Internet ether when the audio players went cuckoo and wouldn't function anymore...

You can find the new versions at this link: http://www.english-itutor.com/TOEFL_iBT.html

As per the previous versions, the tips and explanations cover all six of the TOEFL iBT speaking questions, but now they are recorded in video lecture format, and they are easier to navigate, with supporting summarized points in written form.

I hope they prove helpful to you!

~ Jason

iBT TOEFL Speaking Practice (Questions 1 and 2) based on a News Report about Naomi Campbell?

Yes, you read it correctly! I've actually managed to come up with two iBT TOEFL speaking topics based on some recent news about the "fiery-tempered" Naomi Campbell!

Watch the video and answer the iBT questions related to it at this link:

http://global-english.lefora.com/2008/06/21/challenging-supermodel-campbell-in-court/

It's a little more interesting and fun than your usual iBT TOEFL speaking content, but applies the same basic rules...

Give it a try!

Best,

~ Jason

NorthStar Building Skills for the TOEFL iBT: Additional Online Speaking Practice

Hi there,

Just to let you know, we've uploaded additional online recording slots for people who have the Pearson Longman NorthStar Building Skills for TOEFL iBT series. If you have one or more of these books (they come in Intermediate, High Intermediate and Advanced levels), you can access an easy interface and practice recording responses to the iBT speaking tasks in each unit.

Here are the direct links:

Intermediate:

http://global-english.lefora.com/2008/06/18/northstar-toefl-ibt-speaking-practice-intermediate/

High Intermediate:

http://global-english.lefora.com/2008/06/18/northstar-toefl-ibt-speaking-practice-high-interme/

Advanced:

http://global-english.lefora.com/2008/06/18/northstar-ibt-toefl-speaking-practice-advanced-lev/

Good luck with it!

~ Jason

iBT TOEFL Speaking Topic 1.1: Best friend...

Try practising your response to this iBT TOEFL topic here.

Good luck!

***

New live speaking options online...

Just a quick update: I've done a little editing over at www.onlinEnglish.net, and now it is possible to access special live video rooms for EACH of the iBT TOEFL speaking tasks on our free sample test. You don't need any software, special memberships, sign-ins or downloads - the live video rooms are available directly in your Internet browser, and linked up to each iBT TOEFL speaking task page. You'll need a web-cam, of course, as well as a microphone, but it's super easy to use.

This is great if you want to meet up with other iBT TOEFL test takers and do some live practice and exchange.

Good luck with it!

 

   

40 New Practice Topics for iBT TOEFL Speaking Part 1

Here is a list of 40 new topics that you might find useful if you are preparing for Part 1 of the iBT TOEFL Speaking section. These are all Independent topics of the "open choice" / personal experience or opinion type.

1. Who is your best friend? Describe this person and say why he/she is your best friend.

2. What is your favorite place to visit on weekends? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite place to go.

3. What is your happiest childhood memory? Describe it and give reasons to explain why it is your happiest memory.

4. What is your most important possession? Describe it and say why it is so important.

5. Talk about a person in your life who has inspired you. Describe the person and explain why you found him/her inspirational.

6. Where do most like to go to eat out? Describe this place and say why you like it most.

7. Talk about an important national holiday in your home country. Describe it and explain why it is important.

8. What is your favorite book or movie? Describe it and say why it is your favorite.

9. Who do you feel close to in your family (or extended family)? Describe this person and say why you feel close to him/her.

10. Where is a good place to have fun in your city or town? Describe this place and explain why it is fun.

11. Talk about an experience in your life that made you feel embarrassed. Describe it and say why it was embarrassing.

12. What was your favorite subject at school? Describe it and explain why this subject was your favorite one.

13. Who is an important person in your country? Describe this person and explain why he/she is important.

14. Talk about an interesting tourist attraction you have been to. Describe it and say why it was interesting.

15. Talk about a time when you experienced success. Describe the experience and say why it was a success for you.

16. What is your favorite style of clothing? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite.

17. Name a person whom you truly admire. Describe the person and say why you admire him/her.

18. Think of a place that makes you feel relaxed and peaceful. Describe it and explain why it is relaxing and peaceful for you.

19. Talk about a difficulty you have overcome in your life. Describe the experience and say why it was difficult to overcome.

20. What is your most useful study aid? Describe it and explain why it is useful in helping you to study.

21. Talk about a teacher who had a positive influence on you. Describe this person and explain why he/she was so influential to you.

22. Where is your favorite place to study? Describe this place and say why it is a good place for you to study.

23. Talk about a positive experience with learning or using English. Describe the experience and say why it was a positive one.

24. What is your favorite kind of food? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite.

25. Name a famous or influential figure who has inspired you. Describe this person and say why he/she has been inspirational to you.

26. Which place has fond memories for you? Describe this place and explain why it is memorable to you.

27. When have you been happily surprised by something? Describe the experience and say why the surprise was a happy one for you.

28. Describe a resource that helped you to do something better than before. Describe it and explain why it was helpful to you.

29. Describe a person from your country’s history. Why do you think this person was important?

30. Where would you like to go to spend a vacation? Describe this place and say why you would like to holiday there.

31. Talk about something you and your family enjoy doing together. Describe it and explain why you all enjoy it.

32. What is your favorite recreational activity?  Describe it and say why you enjoy doing it.

33. Who is the most intelligent person you know? Describe the person and say why you think he/she is intelligent.

34. Where would you most like to live? Describe this place and explain why you would like to live there.

35. What is your favorite season of the year? Describe the season and explain why you like it so much.

36. What custom from your home country are you most fond of? Describe the custom and explain why you are fond of it.

37. Which person are you most likely to go to with a personal problem? Describe this person and say why you would go to him/her in particular.

38. Name a place in your country you would recommend others to visit. Describe this place and explain why you would recommend it.

39. Talk about an event from the past that you would like to relive. Describe the original event and say why you would like to relive it.

40. What is your favorite way of getting around? Describe it and explain why it is your favorite means of transportation.

   

   

   

   

iBT TOEFL Speaking Tips and Tricks...

Just a quick apology to site visitors who have found that the recorded tips I made for each of the iBT TOEFL questions are no longer accessible... Unfortunately, the tech provider for those recordings (despite assurances that recordings would be available "forever") appears to have dumped the files, meaning that all those valuable tips I recorded have vanished into the ether of the Internet trash can.

However, I figure this will be a chance to re-do the tips and tricks sections for each of the iBT TOEFL speaking tasks, and do them even better than before! I'm in the process of recording a series of video lectures for each of the TOEFL speaking questions, and they should be ready relatively soon. They'll be more personal and more thorough than the previous versions, so I hope they turn out useful.

I'll post a notification here the moment the new lectures are available.

In the meantime, sincere apologies to anyone who has come along here and found the files dead. They'll be back soon, and they'll be better!

More iBT TOEFL self-training tasks for the speaking sections

I was happy to notice recently that the fastest growing (in terms of visitation, that is) section of OnlinEnglish.Net is the Speaking Self-Trainer category.

This part of the site allows visitors to look at iBT speaking questions and then go through a series of developmental self-training stages, to improve everything from fluency, handling the preparation and speaking time limits, organizing a response effectively, pronunciation and language use. There are mini recorder applets provided for the test-takers to record themselves and compare production at each step in the process.

We were so happy to see that this is growing in popularity. One of the key ingredients for iBT TOEFL success is independent preparation. Based on the visitation and time spent on these pages, it appears clear a lot of visitors to our site are doing just that. In response, and to reward the efforts of these proactive test-takers, we've decided to develop and expand the Speaking Self-Trainer section!

Whereas before there was just the one task to practice, we now have a total of SIX tasks to work on. There are three topics for iBT speaking question 1, and another three topics for iBT speaking question 2 - each with its own set of specific tips to help formulate and practice appropriate responses.

We've also set the stage to add more tasks for questions 3-6, but for the moment we're looking at working with an established publisher in terms of getting the readings and listening scripts. As capable as Dean, Yannick and myself are when it comes to writing speaking test items, the integrated tasks in particular require a lot of care and there are a lot of complications arranging top-quality audio recordings. In any case, we're pretty confident we'll have some great tasks for those sections up there soon.

So, if you're feeling independent and motivated, get along to the site and try out these self-help training tasks for yourself!

 

 

Speaking Question 1 (Independent Task): Beware! Many Korean iBT preparation textbooks have it wrong!

I was recently reviewing a couple of the iBT speaking textbooks produced by Korean publishers, and came across something that surprised and alarmed me.

For independent speaking task 1 in the test, four of the Korean company books I have recommend the following procedure for answering the "open choice" independent question on the iBT:

1. State your topic

2.a - Reason 1 (with supporting details)

2.b - Reason 2 (with supporting details)

When I saw this in one book, I was surprised. When I saw the same essential formula repeated in ALL FOUR books, I got worried. Based on what I had studied about this question, referring to official guides produced by ETS, the approach I have been recommending is different. I was worried because I thought that perhaps I'd had some crazy lapse of memory or judgement. If all four of these books, produced by what are considered "powerful" and "reliable" test prep companies in Korea (the biggest market for TOEFL outside the U.S.), gave this as the most effective formula, perhaps I had gotten it wrong somewhere along the way.

Here is the formula I have been advocating to students in my classrooms and on our site http://www.onlinEnglish.net:

1. Choose/state a topic to talk about

2. Describe the person/place/thing/etc. to create a feel or context

3. Give reasons for choosing that person/place/thing/etc.

Did I have it wrong???

Well, visitors, test-takers and commentators (all people who have taken the actual test on more than one occasion) on OnlinEnglish have claimed this formula (admittedly only one of six overall) helped them achieve scores of 26+ on the speaking section, whereas before they had been achieving low 20s.

That in itself is heartening. There's nothing like the proof being in the pudding.

However, I decided to go back to the official ETS guide again (the one published with McGraw Hill: The Official Guide to the NEW TOEFL IBT, 2006) and just check to be sure my understanding of his question was correct.

Here's what the official guide has to say about it:

"This question will always ask you both to describe something (for example, an important event, a favorite activity, an influential person) and to give reasons." [My underline, their italics] pg.208

There it is, as plain as day. They then go on to explore a sample question asking about an admired teacher, and this advice is offered:

"To answer a question like the one above, you would probably begin by briefly identifying the teacher you are going to talk about... giving just enough relevant information so that someone listening to your response can make sense of your explanation... After briefly describing the teacher in whatever way is useful, you could then proceed to explain what it was about the teacher that made you admire him or her." pg 209-210

Seems I wasn't losing my marbles after all. You are required to do some describing before you get into reasons. And when you think about it, it makes perfect sense - in a question where you are being asked about something personally familiar to you - to expect that you create a context for the listener to understand your relationship and experience with the person/place/thing, before asking you to start dishing out rationales.

Advising my students to go about question 1 in this manner results in better scores - I have the proof.

But what about the thousands of poor Korean students, who are rarely game enough to choose a prep book that is not (at least partly) written in their own language and/or written by some sort of celebrated local TOEFL expert? The advice they're being given isn't totally off base, but it is certainly enough to create the potential for points to be lost here in the very first question.

This formula of state-reason1-reason2 actually works quite well for question 2, the paired choice independent question. Perhaps the Korean textbook "experts" figured the formula was for both questions. I think it's pretty clear they're only about 50-60% right when it comes to question 1.

I won't name the textbooks referred to here. Korea has peculiar libel laws that allow you to be charged with defamation even if what you're claiming is completely true... I'll let people figure out the discrepancy for themselves. I would also urge people to always base their formulae and advice first and foremost on the official ETS documents, sites and textbooks.

I'll trust the word of the company that actually makes the test over some so-called 'expert' who may not have even taken the test - any day.

But now it's got me thinking. If these prep books got it wrong for question 1, what about all their advice for the other questions?

Best I take a look and check. Watch this space...

iBT Speaking Self-Trainer (Beta Version)

For some time now I've been looking into ways to create online speaking activities that allow test-takers to practice and develop their speaking ability without necessarily needing a teacher or expert there to ensure they are getting better. By the same token, I didn't want the usual stuff I see about the Net, like basic listen and repeat, or speak and compare to a model answer.

What I wanted was a guided approach that allowed a student to record an answer, then look at some specific tips and examples, and re-record it, in effect creating a comparison the student could see and learn from him/herself.

IBT Speaking Self-Trainer is my first major attempt at an alternative.

There's only one task set up so far, with application to the first part of the iBT speaking section. Basically, it allows a person to record 6 or more responses to a set question, following a series of guided steps, each of which is designed to bring something new to the answer - something to enhance or direct it in a new way. It works heavily on the principle that learners can and will reflect on and improve their performance on their own, if given the right kind of framework to do so.

We'll see how this first Beta version goes, and then look at enhancing and improving it based on the feedback and visitation patterns we get. If all goes well, we'll expand it for application to multiple tasks within each part of the speaking section of the IBT test. I also think it has some powerful potential for developing writing skills as well.

Note for teachers:

If you're a teacher that works from (or has access to work from) a computer lab with your students, the IBT Speaking Self-Trainer could become a very valuable tool. It allows you to get even large classes of students working independently on their speaking through a series of well-organized steps, and it also provides you with a chance to walk around and help individual students at different points of progress. I'd just advise that you stick to the central idea of this being self-training, with the student responsible for his/her own efforts as well as reflecting on how progress is or is not happening.

Let's hope this goes somewhere!

iBT Speaking Question 1 - Sample question and responses/scores/feedback

Click here to see a sample of iBT speaking question 1.

The screens load automatically to tour you through the question the way it will look and be timed on the actual iBT test. Follow it through until you get four options, and click on "Guidelines/Samples" - this will show you tips, real sample answers, scores and tutor feedback.