Test of English for International Communication Speaking Understanding TOEIC Speaking TOEIC Speaking is a speaking test used to assess whether the person can carry out English speaking tasks in the global environment. The test is done through the computer network system which records the voice of the testtaker. It is not allowed to take any notes during the test. Only use your ears, eyes and mouth. Duration: TOEIC Speaking Test takes approximately 20 minutes. (There is an established time limit per question the student must wait for the signal to prepare and start responding to the question) The test has 6 parts and 11 questions in total. The minimum test score is 0 and the maximum is 200. The test is divided into 8 levels. The test score expires after 2 years. 1
Test Process The test has 6 parts and 11 questions in total, as can be seen below. Part Question No. Question Type Preparing Time Responding Time 1 1-2 Read a text aloud ( 지문읽기 ) 45 sec 45 sec 2 3 Describe a picture ( 사진묘사 ) 30 sec 45 sec 3 4-6 Respond to questions ( 질문에답하기 ) None Q4-5: 15 sec Q6: 30 sec 4 7-9 Respond to questions using information provided ( 주어진지문을이용해서묻는지문에답하기 ) None Reading 30 sec Q7-8: 15 sec Q9: 30 sec 5 10 Propose a solution ( 해결책제시하기 ) 30 sec 60 sec 6 11 Express an opinion ( 의견말하기 ) 15 sec 60 sec Test Evaluation Standard The finished test is sent to ETS On-line Scoring Network to be assessed by a professional evaluator based on the standards presented below. Question No. Evaluation Standard Score 1-2 3 4-6 7-9 10 11 Pronunciation, Intonation, Accent Grammar, Vocabulary, Consistency Each 3 points 3 points Each 3 points Each 3 points 5 points 5 points 2
How to study for TOEIC Speaking Test Analyze different types of questions. Keep in mind that this is a Speaking Test. Make a habit of speaking aloud when you read a text in English. The test is evaluated by a native English speaker through the recording, so you should try checking your answers by listening to your own recordings. Self-Assess your answers. Practice at least 20 times for each question. There is a huge difference between memorizing expressions only and using them while speaking. Purpose of the Test The examiner will want to see how well a candidate can: Communicate fluently on business topics and respond to common experiences in the office Use a wide range of vocabulary Provide a relevant response on the given topic in limited time Organize sentences coherently when describing a situation or picture Relax and talk fluently Speak naturally with good pronunciation, intonation and accent 3
Key points of each <Part> in TOEIC Speaking <Part 1> Q1-2 There are two questions for you to read aloud. 45 sec of preparation time and 45 sec of responding time are given. The texts consist of various topics such as products, people, places, news articles, announcements, radio programs etc. During the preparation time, you should read the text aloud and practice pronouncing some words that you are not familiar with. This part has total of 6 points (3 points per question). If you practice pronunciation enough, you can easily receive full score in this part. <Part 2> Q3 There is one question for describing a picture in this part. 30 sec of preparation time and 45 sec of responding time are given. You should have certain sentence patterns in your mind for this part since consistency and the choice of vocabulary are included in the evaluation standard. Analyze the picture following the answer pattern below. 1. Study the pattern of the picture. Picture of a person and background is the most frequent pattern. Generally, there is minimum 1 person to maximum 4 people in the picture. Usually, the background is one of the following: office, supermarket, coffee shop, restaurant, street, shop, park, library, station, airport etc. 2. In the first sentence mention the topic and place of the picture. Describe the person first and then the background. 3. Use a wide range of vocabulary and expressions to describe the person and their movements (gestures) in the picture. 4. Finish with the background description. 5. Sometimes you can add supplementary explanations about the picture. (For example: Judging by the clothes that people are wearing in this picture, it seems to be winter/summer.) 4
<Part 3> Q4-6 This is a part in which you will respond to 3 questions. Each question is worth 3 points and the total score of this part is 9 points. There is no preparation time for these questions. So, practice responding straight away without preparation. Questions 4 and 5 - each requires 15 sec to respond, so 12 sec of responding time is strongly recommended. Question 6 asks for your opinion and requires 30 sec to respond. 27 sec of responding time is strongly recommended. Study the answer pattern below. 1. Opinion / Conclusion 2. Provide the arguments for your opinion. (2-3 things with key words) 3. Opinion / Stress the conclusion once again. <Part 4> Q7-9 In this part you will be asked to answer the questions based on a chart that is given. The charts are generally about a meeting/seminar/training/movie theatre schedule/museum admission ticket/laundry price table/computer repair fee table/itinerary/office schedule etc. The questions are played through the audio during the test. Listen carefully to the questions as they will not be repeated. This part is worth 9 points in total, 3 points for each question. There is no preparation time; however, 30 sec are given for reading and understanding the chart. Try to use those 30 sec efficiently. Note that the questions are based on the chart, and so the answers should be based on the chart. Questions 7 and 8 require 15 sec to respond, so it is recommended to answer in 12 sec. Question 9 requires 30 sec to respond, so it is recommended to answer in 27 sec. The text on the chart is in the form of a list, so you should try to paraphrase it into proper sentences. You will get good score if you can add supplementary clauses such as adverbial, relative and prepositional clauses. 5
<Part 5> Q10 You will hear 45 sec to 1 minute of a telephone voice message. You will have 30 sec of preparation time and 1 minute of responding time. So, it is recommended to answer in 55-57 sec. This part requires you to understand the problem and suggest a solution. These 2 points should be included in your answer. The telephone message is generally a complaint/request/advice from a client. Follow the answer pattern below. 1. Mention the name of the person who left the voice message. State your name and affiliation. ex. Hello, Mr/Mrs.~, this is [full name] calling from + (company name, job field) 2. Clarify the purpose of your call. ex. I am calling regarding your voice message. ex. I am returning your voice message. 3. Identify the problem. 10-15 sec (mention the key point of the voice message) ex. You said that~ 4. Solution. 30 sec ex. First of all, ~, Secondly, ~Finally, ~ 5. Finish ex. If you have any further questions (about this issue), you can reach me at~. Thank you. 6
<Part 6> Q11 This part requires you to express your opinion on the topic relevant to business or other things. 15 sec of preparation and 1 minute of responding time are given. So, it is recommended to answer in 55-57 sec. Study the answer pattern below. 1. Opinion / Conclusion 2. Provide the arguments for your opinion. (2-3 things with key words) 3. Opinion / Stress the conclusion once again. 7