Test of English as a Foreign Language Speaking Understanding TOEFL Speaking The TOEFL test is the most widely respected English-language test in the world, recognized by more than 9,000 colleges, universities and agencies in more than 130 countries. The Speaking section of the TOEFL ibt measures the student s ability to use and understand English at the University level. The test is done based on computer network system which records the voice of the testtaker. It is allowed to take notes during the test. A pencil and paper is given at the test center. Duration: Only the Speaking section takes approximately 20mins. The entire TOEFL test lasts about four and a half hours. (There is a time allotment for each question so the student must wait for the signal to prepare and start responding respectively) The entire TOEFL test has 4 sections and there is a 10min break before beginning the Speaking section. (Reading/ listening/ speaking/ writing) The TOEFL Speaking section has six questions in total. The first two questions are called Independent Speaking Tasks. The remaining four questions are Integrated Speaking Tasks. 1
The entire test has maximum score of 120 in total and each four section is worth of 30 points. The test score expires after 2 years. Purpose of the TOEFL Speaking Section The examiner will want to see how well a candidate can: Communicate fluently on personal/preference/academic topics Use a wide range of vocabulary list Relevantly respond on the given topic in time Organize sentences coherently when describing a situation or a problem. Relax and talk fluently. Speak naturally with good pronunciation, intonation and accent. Speaking Questions & Time Allotments The Speaking section in TOEFL has 6 questions and lasts about 20mins as below. Section Question Question Type (given time) Preparation/ Response Time Timing Speaking Independent Tasks 1 personal experience 15 sec. / 45 sec. 20 mins 1 personal choice/opinion 15 sec. / 45 sec. 2
1 campus situation topic Integrated Tasks <Read-Listen- Speak> Integrated Tasks <Listen-Speak> - reading: 75~100 words (45 sec) - conversation: 150~180 words (60~80 sec) 1 academic course topic - reading: 75~100 words (45 sec) - lecture: 150~220 words (60~90 sec) 1 campus situation topic - conversation: 180~220 words (60~90 sec) 1 academic course topic - lecture: 230~280 words (90~120 sec) 30 sec. / 60 sec. 30 sec. / 60 sec. 20 sec. / 60 sec. 20 sec. / 60 sec. Types of Speaking Topics Personal Experience and Preference - Questions in Task 1 will be about a person, place, event, activity, or object that is important to test takers. For example, a question may ask about the most memorable event in your life. - Questions in Task 2 will be about everyday issues of general interest to test takers. For example, a question may ask about a preference between studying at home and at the library. Campus Situations - Questions in Task 3 will be about campus-related issues. For example, a question may ask about a university policy, rule, or procedure, future university plan etc. - Questions in Task 5 will be about student-related problems on campus. For example, a question may ask about a scheduling conflict, an unavoidable absence, financial difficulties etc. Academic Course Content - Questions in Task 4 will be about academic subjects. For example, a question may ask about a life science, a social science or a topic in the humanities like animal domestication or 3
economics. - Questions in Task 6 will also be about academic-related topics. For example, a question may ask about a process, a method, a theory, an idea, or a phenomenon of any type in fields like natural science, social science, or psychology. Information on each Speaking Tasks. [Independent Tasks] (1) Task 1: Personal Experience - This task will asks you to speak about something that is familiar to you. You need to describe it and give some reasons to defend your response. - You will be given 15 seconds to prepare your answer and 45 seconds to speak on the question. (2) Task 2: Personal Preference. - This task will ask you to make and defend a personal choice between two possible opinions, actions, or situations. You should justify your choice with reasons and details. -You will be given 15 seconds to prepare your answer and 45 seconds to say which of the two options you think is preferable. [Integrated Tasks] (3) Task 3: Reading & Conversation - This task will ask you to respond to a question based on what you have read and heard. Your will first read a short passage presenting a campus-related issues and will then listen to a dialogue on the same topic. Then you will be asked to summarize one speaker s opinion within the context of the reading passage. - You will be given 30 seconds to prepare your answer and 60 seconds to respond. Be careful not to express your own opinion in your response. (4) Task 4: Reading & Lecture - This task also asks you to respond to a question based on what you have read and heard. You will first read a short passage about an academic subject and will then listen to an excerpt from a lecture on that subject. Then, you will be asked to combine and convey important information from both the reading passage and the lecture. - You will be given 30 seconds to prepare your answer and 60 seconds to respond. 4
(5) Task 5: Conversation - You will first listen to a conversation about a student-related problem and two possible solutions. Then, you will be asked to describe the problem, choose a preferred solution, and explain why you have chosen that solution. - You will be given 20 seconds to prepare your answer and 60 seconds to respond. (6) Task 6: Lecture - You will first listen to an excerpt from a lecture that explains a term or concept and gives some examples to illustrate it. Then, you will be asked to summarize the lecture and explain how the examples are connected with the overall topic. - You will be given 20 seconds to prepare your answer and 60 seconds to respond. Important Features of Evaluation The finished test is sent to ETS On-line Scoring Network to be assessed from a professional evaluator based on the standard as below: (1) Delivery Assesses how clear the student s speech is. The student should speak smoothly and clearly, have good pronunciation, pace oneself naturally, and have natural-sounding intonation patterns to get good grades. (2) Language Use Evaluates the effectiveness of your use of grammar an vocabulary to express ideas. The student should be able to use both basic and more complex language structures and choose the appropriate words to get good grades. (3) Topic Development Evaluates how fully the student responds to the question and how coherently he/she gives ideas. The student should make sure that the relationship between his/her ideas and progression from one idea to the next is clear and easy to follow. 5
Speaking Scoring Rubrics Independent Tasks (Questions 1 & 2) will be assessed according to the below criteria: Score Description - Addresses the task in a highly clear, sustained manner. - Well developed with ideas explained clearly and coherently. 4 - Displays fluid speech that is easy to understand and shows effective use of grammar and vocabulary. - May have minor errors in pronunciation but which do not affect the overall meaning. - Addresses the task appropriately but is not fully developed. - Displays generally clear speech with some fluidity of expression. 3 - Shows somewhat effective grammar & vocabulary. - Minor problems with pronunciation, pace of speech, language structures, or word choice. - Addresses the task but shows limited development of ideas. 2 - Ideas are expressed vaguely and not well connected. - Basic level of grammar use and vocabulary. - Errors in pronunciation, intonation, or pace of speech. - Response is very short and practically not related to the task. - Lacks substance beyond the expression of very basic ideas. 1 - Hard for the listener to understand due to errors in pronunciation, stress, intonation. - Limited control of grammar and vocabulary. 0 - Response is not relevant to the task or has no substance. 6
Integrated Tasks (Questions 3~6) will be assessed according to the below criteria: Score Description - Addresses the task by presenting the necessary information and appropriate details. 4 - Generally shows clear, fluid, sustained speech. - Effective control of grammar & vocabulary. - Minor errors in pronunciation, intonation, or language use which do not affect the overall meaning. - Addresses the task appropriately but is not fully developed. - Conveys the necessary information but does not include sufficient details. 3 - Shows generally clear speech with some fluidity of expression. - Minor problems with pronunciation, intonation, or pacing. - Somewhat effective use of grammar and vocabulary despite some incorrect word choice. - Conveys some relevant information, but the ideas are not well connected. - Omits key ideas, shows limited development. 2 - Shows clear speech occasionally but mostly demonstrates difficulties with pronunciation. - Displays only a basic level of grammar and vocabulary. - Vague expression of ideas or unclear connections. - Very short response which is practically not related to the task. 1 - Contains inaccurate or vague expressions of ideas. - Fragmented speech with frequent pause and hesitations. - Shows a severely limited range and control of grammar and vocabulary. 0 - Response is not relevant to the task or has no substance. 7